Flea Market Lantern to Bedside Lamp

Hey, y'all......Charlie here again.  I'm finally getting used to recording every step I take of our endeavours, projects we attempt.  These bedside lamps are one of my favorite projects I've worked on in a good while.  The even better part is they were cheap.  We found these old candle lantern lamps, at the Nashville Flea Market (if we haven't told you enough, you need to go check that place out.) I'm not quite sure how old these lamps are but I guess that they were old enough to be used before electricity was a common commodity.  After talking to the seller we were able to get both lamps for $20 instead of the listed $15 a piece.  SCORE!!!

 

 

 

 The lamps frame were originally black.  The color didn't go with our bedroom decor so we chose a metallic bronze color and spray painted them.

 

 

I went to Lowe's and did some looking around in the lamp section.  After some time, I was able to find exactly what I needed.  The best part, the price!!!! Lamp Socket - $2.57,  Threaded Lamp Rod - $1.38, Lamp Cord with Built-in Switch - $4.64!

 

 

Once I got back to the house I couldn't wait to get started.  One problem...I had no idea where to start.  If I happened to mess these lanterns up, it wasn't like I could go back to the lumber yard and buy extras. I started out using a step up bit to make the desired hole I would need.  If you don't own one of these I would recommend it. I am always using this bit for projects.  It eliminates switching out different drill bits.

 

 

The threaded lamp rod came with a nut to secure it to a base.  I drilled the hole a size smaller than the nut and hammered the nut into the wood base so that it wouldn't spin.

 

 

Then, I wired the lamp socket with the lamp cord I purchased.  I stripped the wire insulation back about 16 inches. I wasn't sure if you would be able to see the lamp socket so I painted it as well.

 

 

Then, I ran into a problem.  How could I get the wire to run under the base, but still allow the lamp to sit flat?  I used a circular saw and set the cut depth to 1/4 inch.  I made two cuts side by side and used a chisel to clean the remaining wood out next to the hole.

 

 

  This allowed me to place the wires into the wood base.  I made sure that while placing the wires into this gap, I did not pinch the wires exposing them.

 

 

After the lamp socket was dry I attached it to the threaded rod, and fed the wires through the hollow threaded rod. 

 

 

After several attempts to find the right height, I determined that being a little higher might put off more light into the room.

 

 

Finished!!!!!! For a total of $18.59 per lamp.......I'm pretty sure even my thrifty, "I got it on sale" wife couldn't find a lamp like this at hobby lobby on 75% off day for that cheap!  What I liked best about this project is that Emily had no idea I was turning these lanterns into bedside lamps.   

 

 

I put the lamps in place and turned them on.  I was blown away with how awesome they looked.  I left them on and waited for Emily to come home from work.  When she walked in the door I told her to look for the surprise some where in the house. She had been re arranging the bedroom and immediately went there to see if I had finished it. Let's just say, she had the same look I probably did when I first saw them lit up.  She was even happier when I told her how much I had invested in them!

 

 

There it is.  We're still working on some bedroom projects so we won't be showing off the whole picture just yet.  You'll have to stay tuned for those...

 

 

Remember last week when Em told you guys about the "Dog Days of Winter" parties going on at our friend Tonya's blog, Love of Family and Home?  This week they are doing a "Thrift It" Party and we'll definitley be linking up and partying with these girls!  Make sure you check it out...there are some really cool projects linked up!

 

~Charlie

 

Design, Dining and Diapers