How far do I want to take my latest DIY idea?

I am going to try to keep this post short and sweet.  Here is what is swirling around in my mind-

When we started our big garage addition it wasn’t just to add indoor parking.  Besides the bonus space created upstairs the project also included a first floor mud room, tool room and a workshop.  And of these extra spaces you might be surprised to learn I am most excited about creating my vision for the workshop!

That vision includes a mobile work table “island” with two industrial pendants centered over it.  I love the industrial trend but it doesn’t fit the style of the rest of my home so I was looking forward to giving it a nod out here in an appropriately industrial space.  However, the search for the perfect light fixtures has come with a few snags.

I immediately fell in love with the first fixture on the left in this picture.  The weathered green color had me ready to splurge on what would be close to a $500 purchase for a pair.  Which is actually a bargain considering some of the alternatives.  However, when reviewing the specs I realized the diameter of the pendant is much better suited for a kitchen.  I definitely imagined something a bit more over sized in appearance.  I was disappointed to find that the options that seemed to fit my ideal scale were less decorative and just as pricey.  I thought if I was going to give up on some of the details I might as well hunt for something with a better price tag that would be a nice compromise.

During a recent trip to IKEA I spotted this pendant and realized it had the basic shape and scale of all the other lights I was searching.

I thought- how hard could it be to modify it?  That way I could paint the shade any color I wanted- even a vintage minty green!  I wasn’t sure how far I really wanted to take this DIY, but for the potential cost savings I could add a few nuts and bolts and at least get the size and color I imagined.  Totally doable.  That was the leading contender in my lighting search…

Until I found myself up in the hay loft of my barn the other day looking at these-

I would still need to purchase a pendant kit to create the guts of the light fixture, but those are obtainable for $30 or less.  This does up the DIY ante a bit.   I am not sure I need another project, although they are the perfect size and scale and it would be cool to say I found them in the barn!  How appropriately industrial would that be!?!

I guess only time will tell if this idea turns into a full blown DIY or if I stumble upon something else that fits the bill in the meantime.  I am anticipating finishing the workshop over the winter months so there is time for either scenario to play out.  Either way I am excited to see how the workshop finishes up!