How To: DIY Knock-Off Anthropologie Metalwork Hurricane

this idea

I have been loving brass metalwork hurricanes lately, especially the ones from Anthropologie. While trolling the lighting aisles of the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store the light bulb went off…the one in my head that is. I could use a brass and glass 1980s light fixtures to make a brass hurricane. Here is how I made my knock off metal work hurricane.   

Just in case you haven’t seen them, the above photo is the inspiration for the knock-off. The large one is $42 and the medium sized hurricane is $32. My brass light fixtures from the Re-store set me back a total of $9…thanks to the 80’s brass fixtures being a “please get rid of these for us” price.

Materials

• Old brass light fixtures or ceiling fan light shades. 
• spray paint ( I used Rustoleum’s Antique Brass)
• Super Glue
• painters tape
• exacto knife

These are the light fixtures in their 1980s glory.

Step

The first step is to take apart the chandelier. It is not hard. Simply grab your wrench, unscrew everything, and pull it all apart until you just have only the shade.

Step

Tape all of glass on the shades/chandelier, inside and out. I covered the entire shade with tape to get an accurate coverage of the glass. I used an exacto knife to cut the tape on the outside only. Follow the lines of the metal with the knife and pull off the tape. This was a little tedious but it wasn’t hard. I popped in my latest Netflix binge and went for it.

Step

Prime and spray paint the shades. When the paint is dry peel off the tape.

Step

Apply super glue to the bottom of one of the fan light shades.

Step

Attach two the ceiling light fan shades together to make one hurricane. I kept it real by showing you the messiness of super glue and paint overspray. If this happens to you…no worries, just grab a razor blade and some Goo Gone and you will be good to go. Nail polish remover would work too but be careful not to get it on the part you want to stay painted.

Add string lights or votives and you are done.

I really love my hurricanes and think I am going to make more. There were a couple of large brass chandeliers for $10-$15 and I think my front porch might need a few.