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February 21, 2008
Posted by: Cathy at 1:43 pm
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I’m always on the lookout for great ideas. I came across this great lamp in a model home and I thought how chic, simple and easy this would be to make.
Here’s how to do it…
Find a great vase. You can find them for $10-$30. Home stores, Import stores, floral supply stores should have them. Turn it upside down to see how sturdy it is, so it won’t easily tip over. Lots of sizes and shapes will work beautifully, not just the tall ones.
Then buy a ” Bottle Lamp Adaptor Kit” at a lamp store, craft store or hardware store (sorry, not a great picture). This has all the electrical parts, harp and finial.
Take the vase and the kit to a lamp repair shop to have a hole drilled into the bottom of the vase to fit the adaptor for the socket. You then insert the adaptor into the hole and screw on the socket. The cord attaches to the side of the socket and hangs outside the vase. Attach the harp, and top with a lampshade and finial that compliment the size and shape of the vase. Plug it in and enjoy.
Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest in style and materials.
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1. Hi Cathy, That is clever. I have been trying to see objects and think of using them in different ways like that. I’d tuck the cord in so its not sen as much but that just me. I have liked those glass lamps where you can put something inside and you could still do that with this.
by chris — 2/23/08 at 9:15 pm #
2. Hi Chris,
Yes, it’s interesting how you can change simple things into something that’s really beautiful as well as very functional. That’s what drew me to this lamp. The cord really was not a distraction when I saw the lamp.
It wouldn’t look right inside the vase because the vase is the “art”. Yes, you certainly could place something inside the base. I liked seeing the simplicity and shape of the vase, clean and uncluttered. Thats just me.
…so glad you took the time to comment. Join in again soon.
by Cathy — 2/24/08 at 4:17 pm #
3. Hi Cathy-
I just love all of your grea ideas and suggestions and plan on dashing to Home Goods to incorporate some of them into my home. I look forward to seeing all your future postings. Also, please keep posting your clients’ room designs.
by Marci — 2/25/08 at 5:45 am #
4. Hello Marci,
Thank you so much. Enjoy your trip to HomeGoods for some great stuff.
Its always an adventure!
I’m glad you enjoy the designs. I never know if those are something people would be interested in or not.
Thanks so much for your great comments and visiting the site. Write again soon.
by Cathy — 2/25/08 at 12:30 pm #
5. Very nice work!
You could possibly even hot glue it to a simple pedestal in order not to scratch the furniture. I do however think the cord should be more discreetly hidden for a more professional look.
by Eric — 2/25/08 at 4:27 pm #
6. Hello Eric,
Good to hear from you. Great idea about glueing a pedestal to the base of the vase… a piece of nice wood, cut to the base shape, stained or painted black, or a clear piece of lucite might work. Yes, we still have that pesky old cord to deal with. Do you or anyone have any ideas about hiding the cord a little better? Although it does show up more in the picture than it did in real life. Maybe, glue it down one of the back corners of the vase down to the base. ??? Maybe we’ll get some better ideas. Hope so.
Thanks for your comments…. you’ve got me thinking!
by Cathy — 2/25/08 at 10:47 pm #
7. Here is a lamp (well actually two lamps) that I made from vases I bought at Home Goods several months ago. I couldn’t find a lamp I liked, but knew the tan and black vase with its fluid lines would make the perfect lamp(s) for my Asian-style bedroom.
I did create a base with small feet to allow for the cord and drilled through the vase (easy with a ceramic drill bit) and the base. Cut a threaded rod to make it really secure. Used a three-way fixture.
I love my vases and they look beautiful in my room.
by cchottel — 2/25/08 at 10:48 pm #
8. Hi Cchottel,
It sounds like you tried to send pictures of your great lamps. We’d love to see them. You have to send pictures to this site by uploading them in the ‘Customer Finds” area near to top of the page in the right sidebar. Click on “submit yours’ and follow the easy directions.
Your lamps sound wonderful. Sometimes you just can’t find a lamp you like. But, if you find a great vase it can easily be made into a lamp, just like you’ve done. HomeGoods does have some beautiful vases that would make great lamps and you’ve found some.
We’ll look for your lamps in ” Customer Finds” . Please send them again.
Thanks for sharing them.
by Cathy — 2/26/08 at 12:37 pm #
9. Hi Charlene (AKA Cchottel),
WOW, I saw your great lamps you made from the vases. (see them in “Customer Finds”). Also I saw your beautiful Asian inspired room. The lamps look wonderful…I can’t believe you made those. You did a great job and you now have some original and unique lamps to enjoy. I like your color combination. The soft greys and taupes with the muted red for accent. Very restful and serene. Your room design is clean and comfortable with a little Asian feel. Very refreshing.
Good job and thanks for sharing your pictures and information on your lamps. Write back soon.
by Cathy — 2/27/08 at 1:49 pm #
10. Thanksfor the kind words. But the inspiration were the beautiful vases.
I totally “dumped” almost everything in my house last year. Starting from scratch. Realized that I wouldn’t do it unless I did it all. (I’m not a great one for change, so when the mood struck, so did I). I’ve just started on my kitchen/breakfast room. But this will be an expensive one with appliances, etc., so progress will be slow. I will be going for a modern French cafe look.
I’ve also been looking ahead to my livingroom. I want neutrals with Chihuly-inspired art and accessories. Home Goods will be a great place for the accessories. They always have great, colorful glass pieces.
by Charlene [...] — 3/5/08 at 10:15 pm #
11. Charlene,
Yes, those vases did inspire you. That’s all it takes, something you love and you can build a room around it. Sound’s like you’re busy with all the remodeling and decorating. Good luck and enjoy the process. It’s a source of pride and accomplishment when completed.
Drop in again soon!
by Cathy — 3/8/08 at 12:05 am #
12. I’ve been planning a project like this, for some time. So I was very excited to find this article! My plan is a lamp with an ocean theme. White sand at the bottom, with possibly a layer of blue sand also, just for a hint of color. Then, above that, have sea shells that my mom gathered in galveston, thrown in with a few dried star fish, and sand dollars. The base, I want to look like drift wood. My concern is this… how do I find the vase that I can add this stuff to it, without turning it over at any point. Because the sand would mix, and wouldnt look right if it weren’t the perfect layer. I hope I explained it well… Can anyone help with my idea please? I’m planning ahead so that I can have it for mothers day.
by Melissa — 12/24/08 at 11:58 am #
13. Hello Melissa,
I think this is a great idea for anyone but especially for Mothers Day.
You need to find a lamp that has a “fillable base”. Go online and Google,”fillable glass lamp bases”. There are a number of bases you can add lots of things to and they make beautiful lamps as well. You just start layering things from the bottom, up. No turning it over. Check HomeGoods or there is one at Lamps Plus #53187 that might work for you. Many other styles online. They are not hard to find.
Good luck with the project. It sounds like it will be beautiful!
by Cathy — 12/26/08 at 11:59 pm #