Sculptural Paper Lanterns

I’ve realized lately I have a real thing for hanging décor.  I’m obsessed with finding a hanging swing chair for our back patio, I love having lights strung over the patio in the summer for barbeques, and I never consider my mantle fully decorated unless I’ve incorporated some sort of floating element.  All this means that I could fill my entire house with those cheap paper lanterns and it would just feel like one big party to me.

I do understand that paper lanterns are not necessarily the most grown up thing to add to your home on a permanent basis – but I’ve found a way to dress them up that I think gives them the beauty to be a permanent fixture.

 Here’s what you’ll need:

•  A 20” Paper Lantern (can be found a variety of places, I got my most recent purchase at Pier One)
• 100 -150 white cupcake liners
• 100 -150 designed petit four liners
• Lighting kit (can be found at IKEA or online)
• Glue Gun

This is actually a super easy, but time-consuming project.  First set the lantern in a bowl to hold it still while you work.  Then start gluing the white cupcake liners around the top of the lantern, about an inch from the top opening.  Make sure to glue them close enough to one another that they touch.

Also, try to move them around so each one bends in its own unique way.  You’ll want them to look like bendy, curvy pieces of scalloped paper…not just cupcake liners glued to a lantern.  Make your way around the whole lantern and be sure to keep them close and tight.

Then, hot glue the petit four liners in the middle of each white liner….and that’s it!  I love this project!

Of course…I still have to attach the lighting kit…but luckily there’s a trip to Ikea in my near future.  If you want to see what the finished project will look like now…check this out.

I’ll update you with some final pictures when I get this hung!  I think it’s going to look super sweet.  What’s your favorite hanging decor?