DIY: Fluffy White Paper Lantern
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}When interior and furniture designer Nichole Loiacono was working on a client's new dining room, she decided to save some money and avoid purchasing something brand new. After perusing online, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.houzz.com/professional/13987/Nichole-LoiaconoYoung" target="_blank">Loiacono </a>was inspired by photos of a fluffy white pendant with an incredible texture. She decided to take a whack at it and post the progress on her blog, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.parlourhomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Parlour Home</a>. (Nichole Loiacono-Young)
It's hard to deny the jaw-dropping impact this pendant has. (Plus, how adorable is this dining room?) At first glance, the gigantic fixture almost looks like its been covered with soft peony or rose petals. But you'll never guess what it's made of ... <a href="http://www.houzz.com/">MORE: Browse 200,000+ inspiring home design photos</a> (Nichole Loiacono-Young)
Coffee filters! That's right, Loiacono bought a huge stack of coffee filters, and using her hot glue gun, she crumpled them up and placed them very closely together on the paper lantern. As she went along, she realized that it was less about how crumpled the pieces were, and more about how close she put them together on the lantern. <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen">PHOTOS: Browse inspiring kitchen designs</a> (Nichole Loiacono-Young)
These standard paper lanterns can be found at many home goods stores — from <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/317179/Large-Maru-Round-White-Paper-Lantern-asian-pendant-lighting-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cost Plus World Market</a> to <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/178037/White-Battery-Powered-Paper-Lantern-modern-ceiling-lighting-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pier 1</a>. Any size can be purchased, depending on the type of effect you're going for. Loiacono purchased an extra-large 38" diameter paper lantern, which took over 1200 coffee filters to cover completely. The lantern was about $30 and the coffee filters $10, putting the total cost just a little over $40. <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/bathroom">PHOTOS: Browse beautiful bathroom designs</a> (Nichole Loiacono-Young)
Loiacono simply hung up the decorative piece on a turquoise ribbon above the dining table. The piece definitely makes a statement, but the neutral color and subtle materials prevent it from overpowering the room. Taking it down and occasionally giving it a quick once-over with a handheld vacuum should keep it from getting dingy and dusty.<br><br> Even if you don't drink coffee regularly, coffee filters have become an invaluable craft tool. We've seen them used in everything from wedding decorations to wall murals at Anthropologie stores. (Nichole Loiacono-Young)