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DIY Modern Rustic Wood Lamp
I love lamp. In particular, this DIY modern rustic wood lamp that now sits pretty on my nightstand.
My dad actually had this piece of salvaged wood just hanging out in his basement, and every time I would go visit him I would stare at it and think about what it could become. Yeah, I stare at wood like most girls stare at shoes. Call me crazy.
Anyway, the last time I was visiting my pops he saw me staring at the reclaimed piece of lumber all googley eyed, and told me I could have it since he hadn’t done anything with it yet. Woo-hoo!
I thought that the height was perfect for a lamp, especially since the bottom was pretty flat.
Side Note: You’ll have to forgive me for my {lack of good} photos during the process. I’m trying to figure out a better system of organizing my pics to make it easier to post my projects because they tend to get scattered about on my DSL camera, iPhone and iPad.
Salvaged piece of wood or log
The first thing I did was bake the wood in the oven on low {or about 170} for about 45 minutes to make sure it was completely dried out, and that there were no critters living in it {eeeeew}.
Afterward, we used a long drill bit to drill a hole down the center. You could go in at a diagonal, but we drilled straight down.
I decided to add a modern touch by dipping the bottom of the wood in some white paint. To do this I just filled an old plastic container with some white paint {I actually filled it a little more than necessary, oops}, and placed the wood inside the container.
I let it sit for a few minutes and then gently lifted it out of the paint and placed it on some wax paper to dry. Make sure you have a drop cloth or something underneath that you don’t mind getting messy because the paint could drip onto it. Then once it was dry I sprayed the wood with some clear sealer.
I had a white/beige lampshade I had purchased on clearance from Target a while back that I originally planned to use, but it was too shiny and just didn’t look right. So I swapped out lampshades with another lamp in our house I purchased from HomeGoods a few years ago, and then painted the new “borrowed” shade with some navy spray paint. I love how this shade has texture on it, which I thought would go well with the texture of the wood base.
Here is a crappy photo of my lampshade all painted. The spray paint stiffened the texture a bit, but I don’t mind.
The threaded pipe {or technical term “IP zinc-plated nipple”} that came in my lamp kit wasn’t long enough, so I purchased a pack of different sizes and used one of those instead. The pack I purchased is on the bottom right in the photo below. I only needed one, but now I have some for later in case I need a different size for a future lamp project 🙂
You can then follow the instructions on your lamp kit {available from most hardware stores or online}, screw in your lamp shade, a bulb and plug it in. Boom, you’ve got a new lamp! Just think of all the lamp possibilities at your fingertips!
Here is our new DIY modern rustic wood lamp on our also recently painted nightstands, with DIY drawer pulls to match our dresser.
UPDATE: I switched out the lampshade for one made out of green burlap. Here’s an updated photo of our bedroom:
Have you made your own lamp before? If so leave a link to your post in the comments below, I’d love to check it out!
Thanks so much! You’ve done a great job of detailing every step w your pics. I have soooo many lamp projects that need doing.)
The navy shade is just right! And although I’m definitely a girl that will stare at shoes, I’m equal opportunity and would have been lusting after that salvaged wood too!
Haha, funny you say that because after I wrote this I thought about going in and adding that I love both, lol.
Amazing! It looks so perfect on your night stand 🙂
Thanks Breanna!
I want to make one for my living room! Thanks for the inspiration & diy!
You should! It was sooooooo easy and it’s such a fun way to make a unique lamp 🙂
This. Lamp. Is. Killing. Me!!! Honestly, I love it so so much. And that simple white paint dip, so perfect. Off to pin like crazy!
Katie this is FABULOUS!!! Love this lamp, pinning 🙂
xoxo
You need to stop this, Katie! You are amaze me with all your DIYs. Seriously! I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this lamp! Pinning!Xo
I haven’t made a lamp before but now I am inspired to make one. Love the color palette you used.
Cindy
Yes! Yes yes YES! I love how this turned out SO MUCH!
I love this lamp. I like the look of the wood, with the pop of white on the bottom. It is a great contrast with the navy lampshade. It’s awesome! Great job on this one!
I’ve been swooning over this lamp every time I see it in blogland. You did a great job on it, love how your mind works! Thanks for sharing at Link It or Lump IT this week 🙂
This is adorable!! Thanks for linking up!
I love how your mind works! This is simply stunning!
I love this!
Just a question about the electric cable. Does this come out of the bottom of the wood, how does the wood remain level? Or was another hole drilled on the side?
Hi Teresa,
I just looked at the cord and I don’t know if it’s because of the type of cord (it’s more of a flat cord) or if it’s just the way the bottom of the stump is, but it lays flat and level. However, you could always have the cord come out the back rather than the bottom.
Katie
Katie, Just found your blog signing up for more. Love the lamp, re
Ally like the blue shade better than the green on it. Here in Louisiana we have made some really nice lamps out of Cypress knees. Looking forward to more of your dogs.
Whoa just saw my post glad I looked. Don’t know how my DIYS changed to dogs. Haha Sorry bout that.
LOL, no worries! I liked the blue too, but didn’t have another similar one to paint or match the other nightstand and that drove me bonkers. By the way, I just googled “cypress knees lamps” and those look pretty neat!