Lighting is one of THE most influential aspects of decorating.
This is the third in my Red Wall series.
Flattering illumination is capable of exuding good feelings in one as soon as that one enters a room.
While intense light may well brighten a space – and is desirable in places such as the kitchen while you’re cooking – you may not prefer it in every room, for every situation.
Extreme light can be glaring and harsh, and may reinforce any residual tension from your day.
Soft, dim luminance brings a mood with it.
It inspires peace, calm, and contentedness.
Photographers often use a softbox when making portraits, as it diffuses the light, evening it out, removing hard, sharp shadows.
Soft light
on a scene
is more pleasing to the eye,
and,
easier on the eye.
The gentle glow of mood-making light also creates an intimate atmosphere: an environment for comfortable conversation – even romance, and mystery.
But, even when one is alone, the ambiance radiated by soft light is one of
relaxation,
soothing tranquility
and coziness.
Many know the sweet quality of light created by burning candles.
But, have you ever considered using low-wattage bulbs?
A nice effect may be accomplished by either scattering your luminaries around the room with many small lamps, or by clustering them.
Lighting a darkened corner with several miniature lamps is appealing even during the day.
Lamps don’t always have to be placed on tables.
They can very happily be positioned on the floor!
This large lamp was a rescue!
Yes, I saved this intriguing piece from impending doom!
It was helplessly awaiting the garbage truck one morning: a treasure crying to be
plucked from the grasp of its abductors! Lol.
It was indeed just a piece: It had no wiring, no shade, no socket and bulb.
But, happily, a simple rewiring of a lamp like this is no big deal!
- Simply purchase a cord – with the plug attached, and a socket – which already has the switch in it.
- Remove the felt on the bottom of the lamp.
- Thread the end of the cord up through the rod, which, in this case, was permanently installed as part of the lamp.
- Carefully split the cord by gently pulling the two cords apart.
- Very carefully strip off the insulation from the two wires about an inch down. You can use scissors to score around the two different wires, then pull it off.
- Attach each wire to the corresponding screw on the socket (more below*).
- Put on the cardboard insulation and cover to the socket.
- Put in a bulb!
Follow the YouTube, in case I missed some steps. 🙂
This is a great video explaining how to rewire a lamp:
*Make sure the ribbed wire (neutral) is attached to the silver screw, and the smooth wire (hot) is to the brass screw.
Also, MAKING a lamp is totally possible!
… even for a novice.
Once you get one done, it feeds the need to make more!! Lol.
One of my heart’s desires is to make small lamps for sale, but my drill broke, and, at the time, I couldn’t replace it.
This, one of my first lamps, was made from a candle holder. It was metal, so, I made a hole in the bottom using a screw driver, hammering it in. I put it on the ground so the screw driver just went into the dirt.
The glass globe I found at the same thrift store – and, when I put the two together… Yippee! The metal leaves and vine wrap around the globe!
After punching the hole, just thread the cord through the appropriate rod, socket, nuts, washers, etc.
I used the small socket for a 7-watt night-light bulb.
Put in the bulb and cover it with your globe, and – VOILA!!
Lamp Revamp!
Another big game changer is switching out the shade.
This makes a HUGE difference in a lamp!
This was my mama’s lamp.
It’s been in the family since, at least, the early ’60s…just about as long as I can remember. But, I can’t remember exactly when she started “buying” things from the stamp catalog – or, the stamp store.
For those who don’t know, grocery stores and gas stations, mainly, would give out stamps for dollar amounts spent.
Those stamps would be stuck into stamp books.
The stamp company, such as S&H Green Stamps, or, yellow Top Value stamps, published stamp catalogs and had stores, through which you could trade a certain number of stamp booklets for merchandise – even furniture!
This is how my mom furnished much of our house!!
… just a bit of trivia … and family history. 🙂
Her lamp used to have a “skirt” shade in brown with a white ruffle.
The old lamp shade perished many years ago.
Until “when,” I just used a lamp shade I had, just in order to have a lamp.
It looked terrible. Lol. But, it was serviceable, till “when.”
At the same time I found my new couch, I found this great lamp shade for ONLY $7! … and, it coordinated with my couch!
Well, it was taller than the old one and swallowed half of the lamp!
I had been wanting to get some lamp parts, anyway, so I put together an order with Texas Lamp Parts.
They have great prices.
Only thing: You have to pay shipping. But, it’s still a better deal than going to Home Depot … and, they have MUCH more than Home Depot ever THOUGHT about!
I recommend TX Lamp Parts, and I have no affiliate relationship with them. Wish they had an affiliate program!
So, this is how it turned out!!
Just a simple changing of the harp to a taller one, made this a great lamp!
With new wiring and shade, it’s a keepsake, plus an attractive vintage addition to my room!
This was my first rewire job. I got the parts from Home Depot.
Of course, I followed YouTube tutorials.
It was so simple, that I ordered more parts from Texas Lamp Parts to use on future rewiring projects and lamp-making.
Another thing you can do to add detail and personality to your lamps and shades: Add a bit of lace …
Or, a colored, translucent pendant.
P.S. I like using 15-watt and 7-watt bulbs.
Let me know your thoughts on these ideas, or,
share your suggestions in the comments box
at the bottom of this post.
Click an image below.
Good Morning, Cindy…You brought back childhood memories! I remember my Mom and Grandma collecting S&H Green Stamps. They were always putting them in books and waiting for enough to buy all kinds of things.
Thank you for the directions on lamp restoration. Yours look wonderful. I don’t know how many times I’ve passed up beautiful lamps at the thrift store because I couldn’t fix them.
Hey Kat!
It’s good to hear from you again! I appreciate your taking a moment to comment!
Yep! green stamps, and Top Value stamps were definitely a part of our family life. 🙂 Mama and us two girls would work together on the kitchen table with a wet sponge in a small plate in the middle of the table. It was amazing the things you could get with them! …and it was quality stuff!
Lol. Depending on the color of the stamps, we ended up with green or yellow fingers!!
Yes, when I found out how SIMPLE it is to wire or rewire a lamp with a single socket, it opened up a whole new thing for me!
Now I have some vintage floor lamps from my grandparents that have a trickier wire path: The cord goes up into the lamp from the bottom as usual, but, then, it travels over to three different sockets, then back up to the socket on the top: a large socket to be used with a milk-glass reflector globe. As for the large socket, I’m thinking of putting in an adapter to convert it to the regular-sized bulbs, because, as you know from this post, I like softer light, and I could use a 15-watt bulb there.
This type of lamp, I’m afraid I’ll have to get some help with. Lol. …makes me nervous! But, who knows, maybe, with the help of YouTube, I MIGHT try it.
Another tip:
If you should find a lamp that’s super cheap, but you don’t really care for the lamp, if the wiring and socket are good, get it for that!
Depending on how cheap the lamp is – or, if you FIND one free – it could be much cheaper than ordering parts.
Unfortunately, thrift stores are raising their prices. You can’t find as many dirt-cheap deals as you used to. But, also bear in mind yards sales and rummages.
P.S. I was so excited to find an electric drill at a rummage just this weekend for only $5!! Quite a while back, I had started making small lamps from china pieces, when the drill quit, and I couldn’t pay the price for a new one. You have to get a drill bit that’s intended for glass and china, but, it IS possible to drill through china and not break it.
When things get better financially, I’ll still be “cheap!” Lol. I love getting stuff for next to nothing – or, nothing, and using it for decorating, or in clothing style!!
I love what lighting can do. It’s like magic! I have a gone with the wind lamp that was my grandmothers but top part was broken and I would like to replace. Any idea where I can find one. I know I’m off the topic slightly but thought I would ask.
Hope you are doing well after your great loss. 💞
Hey Katie!
It’s good to hear from you again. 🙂 Thanks for commenting. I love comments!!
I did a quick Google search. These are NOT cheap!!
https://www.lampglass.nu/gone-with-the-wind-globes.html
https://www.specialtylampshades.com/collections/lamp-globes
https://www.etsy.com/market/gone_with_the_wind_lamp_shade
Much less expensive…might work?? https://www.antiquelampsupply.com/vintage-b-p-lamp-supply-catalog-no-12.html
Golly, I haven’t set out to find what you need. I usually depend on thrift stores, etc. for WHATEVER I’m looking for. Sometimes it takes a while. Usually, I just look for something I like and try to figure out what to make from it. I lucked out when I found the candle holder and amber globe in the same store that time (for the small lamp I made, shown in this post).
How am I doing? I guess I’m doing better over all. Just a couple of days ago, March 22, was four months since Jerry went Home. Still, something will hit me out of the blue that reminds me of Jerry, and I burst into tears. I know he’s happy in the presence of the Lord, with all those who have gone on before – no sickness, no limitations. True, close friends are hard to find. He was my true friend…I miss my friend. I don’t always like alone. 🙁
Please continue to comment.
Blessings and love,
Cindy
Thank you Cindy. I might just look at a flea shop not far from me for a plain white globe. Then I could paint a design coordinating with bottom of lamp or just complimenting with one or more colors. I do try to be frugal too & like to create. Treasures I’m always scanning the roads to see what folks are abandoning & see if I can make use of & give a home to. Haven’t been to thrift stores this past year due to Covid. I’m sort of high risk. Hoping this year looks a lot brighter. I get a thrill finding something I love & at a great price.
Thanks for the links, I will check out. I have in the past looked on line but found prices were high as well.
I have never lost a spouse. I’m getting to that age where anything can happen with friends or my 2 sisters that I love. I also share your faith & it has helped me greatly in my life.
It’s just that it is so hard for those left behind and missing the person, friendship & love that you shared. It scares me to think I might outlive all.
I have believed in Jesus Christ for a long time now. In the beginning when I was a baby in my faith, I had a dream. I could not see his face but knew it was Christ. His arm and hand were outstretched & I put my hand in his & he said, “Trust Me”. I realized even though I was saved & recognized him as my Lord and Savior that I was not totally putting all my trust in him for everything in my life. That was the beginning of my growth. I’m still in the journey and have to rely on him for things that have not yet unfolded in my life.
Therefore, I try to take one day at a time & not think of things that could or might not ever happen. If you find things that really help you with the loss of your loved one, I hope you will continue to share. We all need strength for going through trials in our lives.
Sorry if I was long winded in this reply but do glad I found you. When I try to be creative it puts me in my own world where I can escape for awhile & then return with more confidence & feeling alive with God’s beautiful creation & all his promises to us.
The wondrous gift of eternity with perfect health and all our loved ones around forever perhaps crafting together or traveling or whatever makes our dreams come true is phenomenal.
Blessings and love,
Katie
My dear Katie,
How precious is your response.
No, I don’t consider you were long winded! I consumed every word!!
You and I share a lot! I feel close to you in our mutual faith in our Lord. Isn’t it amazing how two people who don’t know each other in the natural can find such a close bond because the same Holy Spirit in you is in me. He draws us together because we are one in Him. I have a small handful of other women friends in the world who are close to me through the Lord. I feel so close to them and you, like sisters, even though we have never met physically.
This is one of the blessings I have with my blog. I haven’t figured out how to make money with it, but the treasure I have found in spiritual friendships is priceless! …though, I’m praying God will show me how to make money, too! Lol. I need it. I’d love to quit my boring office job and be able to do creative things and make a living from it!
In my account of when I buried my sweetie’s ashes, I talk about visions I’ve heard about that others had – about what Heaven is like. https://diybohemian.com/my-last-date-with-my-sweetie/
A spiritual friend in South Africa and I look forward to meeting in Heaven and getting better acquainted over a beautiful picnic on the grass! 🙂
Many years ago, when I was about 29 – I’m now 67 going on 25 😀 – I was so confused about my life, what I was supposed to do with my life. I was working at Disney (Orlando) and would spiel the people in and out of a show where I was working.
During the show, I would hide and talk (and cry) to God. I saw Jesus! Well, His white robe and sandaled feet, anyway. His presence was so sweet and loving. I had pleaded with Him, “Please, Lord, don’t ever leave me!” He gently told me, “I will never leave you or forsake you. Don’t worry. I have it all worked out.”
I know His Word says He knows our end from our beginning. He knows our lives! Yes, He’s told me to trust Him, too. It’s just so hard to live each day alone. Your fear is outliving your close ones. My fear is living life all alone until the end – which, I guess, is about the same.
I still want a life partner, but am also fearful of the possibility of a new relationship. Even though Jerry was quite older than I, I never envisioned life without him. I thought the rapture would take us both together. And yet, I also feel a sense of a new beginning. Several years ago, God told me I would go through a very difficult time, then, He would fulfill the dream He gave me from long ago (about 1997): Back then, I asked Him for a place in the country. That was several years before I met Jerry. God showed me my house on wooded acreage, with pasture and my horse: my big, black gelding. I’ve never had a horse, but always wanted one – or more! Yes, even at 67, I’m looking forward to my first horse! He also showed me that I would have help with the work of keeping my horse and property. It will have to be all God because I don’t have the means to make that happen.
And, yes, I’d also LOVE to travel – even to see this great country of mine. I’m in Florida. Where are you?
P.S. You’re blessed to be able to paint your white globe when you find it. I MIGHT be able to do that, but, I’m not very gifted in the arts. It drives me nuts! I’m creative to a degree, but only enough to make me feel frustrated that I can’t do more!! Yes, what creativity I do have also takes me into my own world of escape.
And, yes, I look forward to eternity in God’s presence with all my loved ones…forever. But, I still have so many desires to be fulfilled here in this life.
I, too, am always eyeing people’s discards!! Lol. Hey, a big percentage of my house is furnished/decorated with rescued pieces – other people’s trash that I had turned into treasures!!
Write again! You are my friend now!! <3
Blessings and love,
Cindy
Cindy, I’m so glad we are friends! Makes me very happy. I think we are lucky to have lots of dreams & desires for the future.
I just turned 68. I live in Schoharie, NY which is about 30 miles west of Albany, NY.
I live in the country in a house built in 1864. Just had my barn resided. Had a small hay loft that we had a full floor put in. The downstairs will be my husband’s garage & upstairs my woman’s cave. Just kidding as I’m sure he will want to use this space too. I would like to use it as storage and my art studio. You are very talented and an artist in the way you dress, fix your home so peacefully and with great ambiance. You’re a writer! Goodness sakes that’s an artist. I was drawn to your site as soon as I saw it.
Do you have an email you would like to share with me or is your site preferable?
I hope and pray you will have a wonderful future. I have a feeling you have a very promising future & I hope you get your horse & the home in your dream. You are beautiful with lovely eyes, compassionate & not afraid to step out of your comfort zone. I respect that. God bless you & there are some things I’d like to share but it might not be correct to do on your site.
I hope you can find something very fulfilling & make some good money at it. 😊
May God bless you,
With love & peace,
Katie
Thank you, Katie, for your kind and generous comments.
We can talk through diybohemian@gmail.com
Or, the email associated with my site: cindy@diybohemian.com
But, truthfully, I check the gmail more often 🙂