Barrel Wall Sconce

Use portions of a barrel and scrap wood to make a light-filtering wall sconce. Hang it over a couch instead of the typical mirror or art.

metal hoop and wood from a barrel
saber saw
braces
Plexiglas
sandpaper
battery-powered light
drill
nails
scrap wood
wire

Steps:

1. Place the barrel hoop over the spaced out fence boards and trace its shape. Cut the wood along the traced line using the saber saw.
2. Drill holes in the hoop; place it over the boards, and then insert the nails (be sure to leave space in the center where the Plexiglas will go).
3. Lay out the Plexiglas and cut it to the desired size and shape using the saber saw. Sand it to hide imperfections and to help diffuse the light. Drill holes in the corners and nail it to the wood.
4. Construct a box out of recycled wood for the back of the sconce. This will serve two purposes--to hold the light bulb at a safe distance from the wood and to keep the light from escaping out the sides of the sconce. Use the brackets to attach it to the fence boards.
5. Drill a hole in the bottom of the box and insert the light. Screw the wood pieces from the barrel on for a decorative touch and hang with wire.