$30 Ceramic Candle Wall Sconces That Look Like Designer Lighting

One of my favorite things about fall isn’t the pumpkins or the changing leaves.

It’s the way our homes begin to glow again.

As the evenings get shorter, I find myself turning on lamps a little earlier, lighting candles while I make dinner, and creating those little pockets of warmth that make home feel extra cozy. I’ve always believed lighting is one of the easiest ways to change the feeling of a room, which is why I’ve wanted candle wall sconces throughout my 1932 Tudor since I found it.

The only problem?

My home still has its original lathe and plaster walls.

When I talked to my electrician about installing hardwired sconces, he explained that it would mean opening the walls, running electrical, repairing plaster, repainting, and paying for all of that labor. I knew it would be expensive before I even started shopping for fixtures.

Then I found the sconces I thought I wanted.

They were beautiful ceramic sconces with scalloped edges…and they were almost $500 each.

By the time I added the cost of two sconces, an electrician and repair work, I knew I needed another plan.

That’s when I stumbled across these ceramic candle wall sconces.

They’re only $30 each, and honestly? I like them even better.

Why I Fell in Love with These Ceramic Candle Wall Sconces

When the box arrived, I wasn’t expecting much.

For $30, I assumed they’d be lightweight and feel like a budget find.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The first thing I noticed was how substantial they are. They’re made from heavy ceramic with a beautiful glossy finish that reflects candlelight in the prettiest way. The scalloped edge and beaded detailing give them so much character, and they’re much larger than I expected at almost 15 inches tall.

Sometimes you open a package and immediately know you’ve found something special.

That was exactly how I felt.

They Look Like They Belong in My 1932 Tudor

Whenever I’m decorating my home, I always ask myself one question:

“Does this look like it belongs here?”

I don’t love filling my home with trendy pieces that I’ll be tired of next year.

I’d much rather buy something classic that feels like it could have been part of the house all along.

These ceramic candle wall sconces have that timeless feeling.

They’re simple.

Elegant.

Classic.

They don’t compete with the original character of my home—they complement it.

I hung two on either side of the mirror in my dining room, and the room instantly felt warmer and more finished.

The Secret Is the Battery-Operated Taper Candles

The sconces are beautiful on their own.

But the real magic happens when you add the candles.

Instead of using real taper candles, I found the prettiest battery-operated taper candles.

They have a warm brown wax finish that looks so beautiful against the creamy white ceramic.

The fluted sides give them a vintage look, and the flickering flame is incredibly realistic.

Most people assume they’re real candles until I pick up the remote.

And yes…

They come with a remote!

My Favorite Feature of Tese Remote-Control Candles Is the Remote

I simply grab the remote, turn them on, and the room instantly feels cozy.

The brightness is adjustable, so I can create a soft glow while we’re eating dinner or brighten them up a little if friends come over.

They also have built-in timers, so I can set them for two, four, or six hours.

They turn themselves off automatically, which saves battery life and means I never have to remember before going to bed.

It’s one of those little luxuries that makes everyday life just a little easier.

The Sconces Were So Easy to Hang

One of the biggest reasons I chose candle sconces instead of hardwired lighting was how simple they were to install.

No electrician.

No wiring.

No holes cut into my original plaster walls.

I used my favorite picture hangers instead of large wall anchors, and they were up in just a few minutes.

I’ll link the hangers below because I use them all over my house.

I Loved These Ceramic Sconces So Much I Ordered 8 More!

Originally, I only ordered two.

I wanted to make sure I loved them before buying more.

That lasted about a day.

After hanging them in the dining room, I kept walking back into the room just to look at them.

That evening, after dinner, I turned on the candles, sat down with a cup of tea, and realized how much the soft glow changed the feeling of the room.

Before I went to bed, I’d already ordered eight more.

Now I’m trying to decide where they’ll go next.

The hallway?

Our bedroom?

The living room?

Honestly…I want them everywhere.

Why I Love Layered Lighting

If there’s one decorating lesson I’ve learned over the years, it’s this:

Lighting changes everything.

When a room feels cozy, it’s usually because there are several different light sources instead of one bright overhead light.

I love mixing lamps, candles, picture lights, and candle sconces throughout my home.

The result feels softer.

Warmer.

More inviting.

Especially during fall and winter, I reach for cozy lighting long before I start decorating with pumpkins or garlands.

A simple glow can completely change the mood of a room.

Rechargeable Batteries Make The Sconces Even Better

One little tip before you order the candles…

I always use rechargeable batteries.

I’ve used them for years in twinkle lights, flameless candles, and seasonal décor.

They’re less wasteful, save money over time, and I always have a charged set ready to go.

I’ll link my favorite rechargeable batteries below because they’ve worked perfectly with these candles.

These Ceramic Sconces are One of My Favorite Decorating Finds This Year!

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more intentional about what I bring into my home.

I don’t want more things.

I want better things.

Pieces that make me smile every time I walk into the room.

These ceramic candle wall sconces are exactly that.

They gave me the classic look I’d been dreaming about without spending hundreds of dollars on designer sconces or opening up the original walls of my 1932 Tudor.

Paired with the battery-operated taper candles, they create the softest, coziest glow every evening.

It’s one of those little changes that makes home feel even more like home.

And if ordering eight more isn’t a good enough recommendation…

I don’t know what is.

Shop This Cozy Corner

I’ll link everything I used below so it’s easy to recreate this look.

• Ceramic candle wall sconces
• Battery-operated taper candles
• Rechargeable batteries
• Battery charger
• Heavy-duty picture hangers
• velvet pumpkins
• wicker vase
• velvet bow

Welcome to My Next Chapter

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this season of life is that creating a beautiful home isn’t about filling every corner—it’s about surrounding yourself with things you truly love. As an empty nester, I’ve found so much joy in simplifying, downsizing, and being intentional about the pieces I bring into my home. Every project, every decorating decision, and every little cozy corner is part of creating a home that reflects this next chapter of my life.

You can find out more about The Next Chapter here!

If you’re navigating an empty nest, downsizing, or simply looking for inspiration to create a home you love after 50, I’d love for you to join me over on Instagram – @tatertotsandjello. That’s where I share weekly decorating ideas, home projects, cozy recipes, style inspiration, and honest conversations about embracing this new season of life. We’d love to welcome you to our wonderful community as we create beautiful homes—and beautiful lives—together.

I can’t wait to see you there!

I hope this inspires you to add a little extra glow to your own home this fall. Sometimes the smallest changes end up becoming your favorite ones.

Happy decorating!

xoxo

The post $30 Ceramic Candle Wall Sconces That Look Like Designer Lighting appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

The Process

Run steel wire through three 6 inch long pieces of tube. Run the wire back through the first rod to create a triangle. Then run 2 more pieces of tube to create a second triangle. Repeat until you’ve got 6 triangles connected that form a hexagon. Then run two pieces of tube that connect to each side of the hexagon, creating 6 more triangles poking out of the hexagon. Connect the points of each of those 6 triangles with a 6 inch piece of tube. For the top, create a trapezoid with 2 pieces of 5 inch tube and 1 piece of 1 inch tube. Connect the trapezoids and you’ll have a small hexagon in the center to run your light fixture piece through.

When I had started stringing the brass tubes onto the steel wire, it hit me how delicate and glamorous the skinny brass tubes were. That’s why I changed my initial design up a bit to create a hexagonal drum shaped fixture instead of the more geometric and organic shape of the Urban Outfitters light fixture.

The hardest part for me was working up the courage to hard wire the fixture. Like, it took 2 months to convince myself to just to it already. I had to teach myself how to, without any experience with electrical. It turned out to be SO easy though!

And the finished project embodies how I want the entire space to come together. DIY, glamorous, feminine with an edge.   Isn’t the shadow against the ceiling just too cool? I found the globular bulb at the dollar store.

So, to be honest, was it cheaper to DIY? I wonder this all the time when I see projects like this one. This one did, in fact, come in cheaper than the original. 2 packs of brass tubes at $19 each, a big box home improvement store pendant light for $15, and $1 for the steel wire from the dollar store. Score! Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my Brass Himmeli Light Fixture, and thank you Jen for letting me share! I really enjoyed trying out the himmeli art form, or a form of the form rather. So I created a himmeli inspired sculptural wall piece with the extra supplies. As for the office, it’s still a major work in progress, so come on by anytime to see how that’s working out!

*************

Thanks Corinna!! I love that light fixture. It turned out amazing!! Corinna has such fun ideas on her blog. I’m thrilled she could be here today to share her light fixture with us! Here are a couple of her recent projects of hers that I love:

Her tutorial for How to Stencil Your Own Hexagon Wall is so awesome! I love how it turned out!!

She also has some other really unique ideas like her Copper Pipe And Fish Bowl Wall Lamps and her DIY Himmeli Wall Art Tutorial! Make sure to check them out!

Visit For My Love Of and

xoxo

The post DIY Brass Himmeli Inspired Geometric Light Fixture appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

I used cool outdoor galvanized wall lamps from Lowes:

They were super inexpensive and beachy.

But wait — those lights I bought are outdoor lights with no switches.

They’re the “Portfolio Galvanized Steel Outdoor Wall Lamps” from Lowe’s.

(this and other hardware pictures from Lowe’s … with links in text to the actual product descriptions)

So, how did they get switches? I’ll show you how I did it. It’s easier than it looks.

But before you get started, this is very important:

You should consult a licensed electrician before you undertake any electrical work, and you should make sure that any electrical work is done in accordance with local buildng/electrical codes. Tatertotsandjello.com makes no warranties or guarantees.

Enough of that legal stuff. Let me show you how we did it.

You’ll need an electric drill with a Forstner bit — the one I used was about 1 1/2 inches, but you can use whatever size accommodates the cords you want to fish through there.

I used a nice set of Forstner bits I bought at Lowe’s — In fact, they’ve come in handy for several recent projects.

(If you’re used to using a spade bit on your drill, you’ll like these much better. A spade bit looks like this

and is harder to use and makes more irregular holes.)

Update (27 April 2012): I thought of something else I should add about drill bits. I used the Forstner bit because it was what I had handy and I was working late.
What I need to get is a nice step bit made to drill metal, like this one:

(back to the parts list:)

You’ll also need a few parts from Radio Shack (or somewhere like that):

A “rocker” switch for each lamp

Some wire, the same kind you’d use inside a lamp. The folks at Radio Shack or Lowe’s or Home Depot can help if you don’t have any left over from other lamps.

And you can also use quick disconnects or heatshrink tubing to connect the wire to the new switch.

You will also probably need an “old work” ceiling light mount box to mount the box on the wall.

Grab some extra Romex wire if you’re going to wire this in the wall like we did — or just consult a qualified electrician.

Here’s what I did:

1. Mark the center of a hole in the base of the light fixture – in my case I marked it at least 1/2-3/4 inch above the part where the lamp part comes out of the base. You’ll be using this as the center mark for the switch hole, so try to center it both horizontally and vertically.

• If you have a hard time reaching that spot, you can loosen the nut holding the lamp onto the base and swing the lamp part out of the way. If you like, you can not just mark the center with a Sharpie, but also use a nail and hammer to make a small hole or indentation in that center place — it will make your drilling easier. Make sure there are no wires on the back of the lamp, and if there’s a mounting piece on there you’ll need to remove it for now.

2. Get your handy drill and Forstner bit. I used a bit that matched the size of the switch — but it was a bit tight (see below).

• I recommend eye protection here — grab a pair of safety glasses (they’re sexy!) while you’re getting your other supplies. Place the sharp center piece of the drill bit on the mark or small hole you made before, and patiently drill. The galvanized metal should be thin enough that with some pressure you will fairly quickly break through. Make sure the hole is smooth: if you have a metal file you can use that to file the edges.

3. Push the switch through the lamp base. In my case the fit was a bit tight, so I beat it into submission with a soft mallet. I don’t recommend this, but at least I know the switch won’t fall out.

4. Now comes the tricky part.

**Here’s your basic wiring lesson: the black wire is always the “hot” lead, so we’re going to work only with that one. the white wire will be connected to the electrical line with no modifications.

*if you don’t like this approach you can also put in an inline switch and just plug the plug into the wall, which is about a billion times (estimated) more straightforward.

• I took the black wire out of the back of the lamp, cut it to a better length, and then used the connectors (the female part) to connect it directly to the back of the switch. It doesn’t matter which of the two connectors I use for either wire. (Note that my picture has three connectors because my Radio Shack was out of the kind I’m telling you to use. My switches had a third connector for a little LED light that I didn’t want to use but, again, it was the only switch they had two of.) If you want to be really sure it’s a good connection you can use a bit of solder (that’s what I did) and some heat shrink tubing to close up nice and tight.

• Now take your extra piece of black wire and do the same thing to the other lead on the back of the switch — leaving the other end free, just like the regular black wire coming from a light fixture. Solder or heat shrink as needed.

5. Use your DIY skills to put this in an existing wall light mount or, as I did, you might want to turn off the breaker, get inside the plug at the bottom of the wall, and make a hole in the top back of the wiring box. I marked the wall where I wanted the lights to end up and cut the drywall to fit the old work box. I then used a cable snake to pull the Romex wire from the plug box to the light box hole. I pulled the Romex through a hole in the back of the old work box and then attached the old work box to the wall.

6. Follow your standard instructions in the light package for wiring the lamp to the wall mount — you’ll need wire nuts, etc. You’ll also wrap up the connection in the wall plug box by connecting the new wires to the light in with the old wires.

7. slip a bulb into the lamp … and enjoy your new light!

Hayley loves her bedside lamps already!

And for more information, check out the original Nautical Teen Room post.

Thanks Lowe’s for the gift card to purchase the DIY supplies for this room! And you can sign up to get a FREE Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine:

And, don’t miss out on winning a $100 Lowe’s gift card to work on YOUR projects!

Have a BEAUTIFUL Day!!

xxo

PS — a tutorial on how to make the Rustic beach-Inspired Board Wall is coming up soon!!

The post Making Outdoor Wall Sconces Into Indoor Lamps: Just Add Switches! (DIY Tutorial) appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.