10.21.2012

Industrial lamp D.I.Y.

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I've had this lamp for years. I think it was part of Targets dorm line, and it's just stuck around as a cheap ($19.99) floor lamp since then. Functionally its awesome, you can bend the lights individually any which way, and adjust settings to have less or more lights on at once. 

But it totally looks like a dorm lamp. 

For about a year I've been casually looking for a good replacement, but guess what? 

Floor lamps are crazy expensive. 

Who knew?

Such as this guy from Restoration Hardware

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Rather than fret about it anymore, I thought "hey, take off the shades of my lamp, paint it black: voila! Cool lamp"

So that's what I did. 
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{You will need}

Mask
Masking tape
Matte black spray paint
Sandpaper

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Take off the shades (aka dust catching cones of fury) by unscrewing the black ring in the middle. 
Set rings aside, give cones to bored children. 

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Tape up the sockets. I'm not sure what would happen if you spray paint a light socket, but it's probably not great...

Lay down some newspaper under the rings and base of lamp. After following directions on paint can (shake*shake*shake*), start painting! 

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Wait an hour after your first coat and apply a second. After that dries, un-tape the sockets, screw on the rings, and sand down a bit of the edges for an antiqued look. After some use the paint is wearing off on it's own in places, so if you don't want that to happen look into a finishing spray. 

Add bulbs (I used 25 watt vanity bulbs), or you can even buy the vintage filament bulbs from Restoration, but I think I like these better! 

And there you have it! Took me a single morning, cost under $30 (including a few bulbs), and I even like it more than the $600 one. 

If your decor is more of a glamorous nature, this would be great in a shiny gold, just skip the sanding. Or colors! Really once you take the shades off it's a blank canvas. 

Happy decorating! 

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20 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks fantastic, and often the cheaper the lamp, the longer it lasts. At least now it look good! x
www.AhkaVintage.com

Nina said...

OMG that was so clever! It looks like just as nice as a $500 lamp!

VintageDanielle said...

I love your new blog layout, it's so clean and fresh. The DIY is genius! I love redoing something you already have for a whole new look.

Jenna E said...

So smart!!! You lamp looks incredible

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, it's come out incredible! I'd love to try something like this one day, but I have *ahem* a history with masking tape and spray paint (tried to paint a mural on my bedroom wall as a kid, managed to spray EVERYWHERE,including my new wardrobe).
Ruby xx

Witchcrafted Life said...

Marvelous idea and outcome. So chic and appealingly industrial.

We had a similar lamp (from Ikea) for a few years and then last year the plastic around one of the lamp literally crumbled into tons of pieces one day just out of the blue. Odd story to share, I know, but it's just one of those memories that stands out because you don't see lamps crumble every day (thankfully!).


Have an awesome Monday & week ahead, hon!
♥ Jessica

Sarah Dee said...

I have that same lamp! I'm totally doing this once I move out of the dorms :)

xoxo missdottidee.blogspot.com

bunny said...

looks great! also, home depot sells those edison-style light bulbs, i saw them the other day.

Unknown said...

simple and great. xx kaz

Heather said...

You just saved us so much money - I love this idea! I have the exact same floor lamp from Target from however many years ago and it doesn't match anything we own anymore, so I LOVE this idea!

rachlovespenguins said...

Great idea! Oh Restoration Hardware, how I love thee. About all I can afford though would be lightbulbs, hahaha. That catalogue is a wealth of inspiration though. It's almost like a coffee table book at our house.

Maria Confer said...

This is just the thing I've been looking for that will work in my living room!

Unknown said...

....I totally had that exact lamp, circa 2004, in my dorm room haha. Looks great!!

xox

Betty2Tone said...

I have that exact lamp, and I hate it but it's too practical/cheap to get rid of. I'm totally going to use this trick!

therefinedcool said...

I'm definitely going to try this DIY! Thanks for the info!

Shannon said...

Great idea! My sons both have these in their rooms, and I know they will want to update when they outgrow the "little boy" rooms they have now. Thanks!

jewlover2 said...

gREAT idea!

Anonymous said...

This really does save so much money and looks so fantastic!!! So sorry for the delayed comment. Catching up on blogs! It must be nice to make something so inexpensive look so amazing. I can't imagine spending so much money like that on one lamp (as you posted).
+Victoria+

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love, love, love your lamp - that looks cool! I've got this linked to my lamps and lights post too today, this is a keeper!

Norma said...

Where do you find 25 watt bulbs that will work in them? The ones I've purchased do not work.