Vintage Lamp Rewired

There’s this beautiful vintage lamp in my life I’ve never told you about.  Welcome to “Vintage Lamp Rewired”…

I fell in love with it as a little girl in the 70’s.  My Mom bought it from “Kelly’s Country Store” on Grand Island, New York.  That’s were we lived and the store (which is still there) is famous for beautiful antiques, candles, candy, and homemade chocolate.  They even sell old fashioned pickles.  Lets focus on this lamp, though…

Isn’t it pretty?

Honestly, as a kid I remember it looked good enough to eat.  I know, funny.  It reminded me of a white frosted cake with swirls.  The little pink flowers looked like little sugar roses you see on top of cakes at the bakery.  Do you see it, or is it just me?

Then there’s the brass features that look like shiny gold…

Don’t even get me started on the marble base.  I liked it when I was 5 and didn’t even know what it was.

My Mom moved it around our home several times but it was usually located in our living room.  I inherited it a couple months ago when my parents moved.  I placed it in our bedroom and I turn it on every night right at dusk.

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It glows softly with a vintage bulb.  Or it’s pretty turned off.  Either way, I plan to cherish it for years and pass it on to our daughters.

Only there is one big problem…

the plug.

My Dad is extremely innovative, and I have learned a lot from him, but this scared me a little.  This DIY plug replacement system is not safe for long term use, so I knew if I wanted this lamp to survive another 40 years, I was going to have to replace the cord/plug.  Luckily, now a days that isn’t difficult.  You see…they make kits.

Here’s where to find the one we used: Westinghouse Make-a-Lamp-Kit.

This kit is actually used for DIY bottle lamps, but it works for replacing the guts of a lamp, too.

I am not an electrician, so this is not a tutorial.

However, here are a few tips:

First and foremost, you need to make sure your lamp is turned off and UNPLUGGED before you do anything.

We used wire cutters to cut the cord and take the guts out.

We made sure to note, what went where so we didn’t forget any pieces.  There are instructions, so keep those handy and follow them, skipping the parts about the bottle.

You basically put everything back together just the way you took it apart step by step following the instructions included with the kit.

I think I’ll call it, “Kelly’s Lamp”. XO

In the mood for more thrifty styles?  My Thrifty Style Team is sharing today too…