It's an easy DIY with dramatic results.
And a project you can complete in a few hours.
My husband and I have always made a really good DIY team.
I walk through the house and dream and he makes it all a reality, as he is able to build just about anything.
Over the years it has saved us countless thousands of dollars in labor costs, not to mention architect and builder consulting fees.
By combining forces, we have been able to eliminate a lot of the middlemen.
I come up with the design plan and he tells me if it's feasible based on structure and code, then we get busy doing!
I really am a lucky girl, as his knowledge and capabilities are extensive.
The birdhouse lamp was such a tiny project, it was almost a waste of his talent.
However, since I have absolutely no electrical skills and I didn't want the house to burn down, his time was well spent.
We found the birdhouse for under ten bucks on a shopping spree and knew immediately it could be more.
My husband drilled holes in the top and bottom of the house and threaded a pipe from an old lamp through them.
Before he cut the pipe, we played around with the shade a bit to see how high off the house it should sit.
He added a brand new bulb socket (we used one for a three way bulb) and a new plug and wire for safety, they were all super cheap from the local hardware store.
We add new wires to lamps often. Especially if they're secondhand finds.
The lamp looked good, except the top of the metal pipe was exposed and we didn't like that.
My creative hubby found an oak tree branch on our front lawn, cut it, hollowed it out, stained it to match the birdhouse and slid it over the pipe.
He also added black, rubber feet to the base of house to give it enough height to accommodate the plug wire.
Next, it was my turn!
I had an old, white lampshade in the basement that fit, with regard to shape and size, but it was boring and needed a punch.
I grabbed my stencils and my paint and added a little flair to the shade.
It was a super simple project, but it adds the perfect accent to our rustic cottage living room.
I just love looking at that lamp when I walk by or sit in the room.
And even though it's certainly not our greatest collaboration, it's a sweet reminder of our very creative partnership!
How'd we do?
Let me know what you think!
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Wow! I love your posts! I look foward to reading your posts!!
ReplyDelete-- your biggest fan :)
Thanks and "Wow" back at you, I love that you are so excited to read my stuff! That makes me your biggest fan! :)
DeleteFabulous!! I love that you two worked on the project together. And from my perspective it really isn't all that simple. Drilling out a branch for the top takes some pretty good expertise and there were a lot of details to make it turn out so well. You are a blessed gal.
ReplyDeleteI certainly am! Thanks for checking our project out, Diane and leaving such a nice comment! I will be sure to share it with him!
DeleteThis is really creative and cute! I am impressed with your ability to work with your husband...if I had to ask my hubby to help me drill anything he would be in the emergency room without a finger! I don't even want to talk about having him wire anything that deals with electricity...he might take out an entire city's energy infrastructure with just one simple flick of a switch! ;)
ReplyDeleteTrust me, with all the projects going on around here, there have been a few finger emergency room trips (well, maybe one!)...and thank goodness he was into helping, because it would've been me blacking out our town! ;)
DeleteStopping by from the Google+ Blog Hop! Now following! Hope you’ll stop by The Shady Porch! Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch P.S. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, you just made my day! Your blog is wonderful! I just followed you back! :)
DeleteGood Afternoon Kim, Gosh, what a talented pair you both are. You are the designer and your husband the project manager. Seriously though, this birdhouse is so lovely. I love finding items and then re-purposing them.... it is such fun.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Best wishes
Daphne
We do work well together, Daphne! We love re-purposing items too! I like it better that way, I enjoy a good story to go along with my décor pieces and I can never resist a bargain! Thanks for the lovely comment!
DeleteWhat a beautiful idea! Love, love your lamp! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria
ReplyDeleteCute! Nice to have a handy man around, too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim @ Curtain Queen
It certainly is, Kim!
DeleteThat is so adorable! I have one of those "super-talented" hubbies, too -- I'm so in awe of his many talents! Your entire blog looks very interesting (I did a bit of snooping) and am now a new follower!
ReplyDeleteCarol
I love snooping Carol! I'm so flattered that you liked what you saw! A lot of it is thanks to that talented hubby!
DeleteWhat a sweet project! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Malia!
DeleteThis is really cute! My mother would love this. She loves birdhouses and this would be something nice I could make her:) It looks beautiful! What a great idea. I am now following you on Twitter and Google + so I can see all of your great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks! So many kind words and a new follower! Yay! I do really like this one, it's simple, but there's something about it! Thanks for the comments, Shannon!
DeleteFabulous! Such a creative way to make a great looking lamp!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!
Thanks Katie, it's a great party every week! :)
DeleteOh, this is so darling! I love your blog and am your newest follower! :)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Thank you Shelia, and thanks for popping by and leaving such a sweet comment!
DeleteI love this lamp! How fun! Yes, it's nice to have a handyman for a husband :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Elise! Yes, handy is good! I honestly couldn't accomplish half of what I do around here, creatively, without him! Well, I guess I could hire someone, but then I wouldn't be able to afford it!
DeleteWhat a fun idea! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at Give Me The Goods!
ReplyDeleteDimples & Pig Tales
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteStopping by via Natasha's today and your cozy corner caught my eye!! How cute is THIS?! LOVE your lamp and the whole vignette; you've got my colours going on! I also linked up a lamp this week - maybe that's what did it! The light bulbs of ideas were shining bright this week!
Poppy
Poppy, thanks for taking a peek! I do love bold colors ~ they are full of drama and romance!
DeleteI just love what you did with this lamp! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and hopefully follow me back. Nicole
ReplyDeleteThat looks so cute! Thanks so much for sharing your post at the Say G’day Saturday linky party.
ReplyDeleteThis week’s linky party has just started so I hope you can stop by and say g’day!
Best wishes for a great weekend,
Natasha in Oz
Good read. Your partner’s skills and good workmanship seems to have been utilized efficiently. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThanks! He is a really talented guy! :)
DeleteGreat job it turned out so pretty! I love the rustic style. My hubby is pretty handy, I think he's a keeper. 😉
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! And handy husbands are definitely keepers!!
DeleteWhat a beautiful lamp.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Maria! It's an oldie, but a goodie.
DeleteSuch a cute lamp project!
ReplyDelete