So after we recently learned how to wire your own light cords (here's that post), my brain wouldn't stop thinking of ways to make our own lamps and ways to display these in our home. If I'm being honest, the ideas are still flowing, but at some point you have to move on with your life, right? Maybe? Well, in the meantime, Josh and I came up with this very simple pyramid light stand that you could definitely make at home. I'll let Josh explain how he built it as only he can. ๐
Supplies:
-doweling ( I used six 48" long, 1/2" pieces)
-light assembly (learn how to make your own here)
-crafting wire or twine
-leather strips (optional)
Tools:
-saw
-measuring tape
-drill
-wood glue
-nailer (optional)
Step One: Cut all your pieces to size. I kept the vertical pieces at 48" and cut the base pieces 18" long with 45หends. If you want to get fancy, cut a 10หor so angle off one end of each rod.
Step Two: Assemble the base. Fortunately I have a nailer, so it was super easy. If you don't have a nailer, I think if you just used wood glue or hot glue it would be sturdy enough. The light assembly weighs less than a pound, so you should be fine. I applied wood filler in the nail holes when I was done.
Step Three: Before you attach the vertical pieces, sand any filler you might have applied. Drill a hole about 2" from the top on each rod. Thread the crafting wire or twine through the holes. Don't tie together too tight; you still need to position the other ends on each corner of the base. By putting the twine or wire on first, it makes it easier for the legs to stay upright while you attach to the base. Again, I nailed the legs on, but I think hot glue would work great, maybe even better. You're going to be painting over it anyway.
Step Four: We wanted the pyramid to have the "dipped in gold" look. Since our giant vat of liquid gold was being used for something else, I spray painted the legs, which required I tape the legs off. After taping the legs, I wrapped them with paper towels so the paint mist wouldn't ruin everything. You can go for the dipped look, paint it all one color, or try to go for something completely different.
Step Five: Stick the cord through the center of the legs and tighten the twine or wire. You can then wrap the light cord around the top, or like Sarah did, wrap a bit of leather to hide the wire. If you have little guys running around your house, you can wrap excess cord around one of the legs so there's less for them to get their little paws on. Speaking of little guys, as with anything electrical in the house, the responsibility rests upon the big guys (grownups) to keep an eye on them. If you don't think this is a safe solution for your household, you shouldn't make it! Safety first.
I love how our pyramid lamp turned out, and Josh has already made a second variation with green paint for our home. Wouldn't these be fun even hung upside down from a very high ceiling? Oh, great… more ideas! I'm going to need a lighting intervention soon. xo. Josh + Sarah
Credits // Authors: Joshua Rhodes and Sarah Rhodes. Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Piper from The Signature Collection.
39 Comments
Cool! I’m so intrigued by the way this wall is painted…I hope this is eventually going to be a room tour!
I love this, it looks so simple but effective. Definitely an idea to save for when my daughters are older. I think right now they’d think it was some kind of frame for a tent!
So in love with this. I really like the gold and wood look. Though I have to admit that the thought of using power tools scares the poop out of me! Maybe I’ll put it on my list of things to so before I’m 30–that is to use power tools not poop myself hehehe.
Cool idea!! BTW, the green color on the wall is just perfect!
This is so unique! I’ve never seen anything like it but it looks so interesting ๐
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca
Omg so cool! I need to get my boyfriend to make me this!
xx Bee
btnguyenx.wordpress.com
This lamp would definitely add a unique modern look to any room, I love the idea of painting it green ๐
emmasbeginning.blogspot.com
This is such cool project… but uh, THOSE TWO TONED WALLS. Completely in love! I can’t wait to have a place that let’s me paint the walls whatever color I desire. It’s the little things, am I right? But yeah, the lamp is gorgeous!
I really like the pyramid shape! For a more minimalist style (and safer, if you have little ones) you could use pipe and then thread the cord through the bottom instead of wrapping it around the lamp.
super cool!
Very avant garde! I love how much beautiful and thoughtfully placed lighting can change an entire room.
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
ON THE CEILING!!! YES please!!! That would look SO cool:) Please accept my applause because I would have never thought of this.
http://prettypiecesshop.com/
That would look really cool!
http://prettypiecesshop.com/
SO cool! Such a funky piece to add to the room! Love the geometric shape!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
So unique! Do you think this could be made with bamboo?
Great idea! I loved it!
http://nathaliakalil.com.br/
so incredibly cool. your style is spot on.
xx
This is the coolest thing ever! I need to remember this when I design my new apartment!
I love this one EVEN MORE than the last one! So awesome!
xoxo
Taylor
LOVE the idea of hanging them upside down from the ceiling, Sarah!
Lovely minimalist piece! I like the gold spray on the legs, it gives a nice touch. I would use a bigger lightbulb though.
This looks so modern, love the gold detailing against that green wall…
xo
http://agoldentulip.blogspot.com/
Love this! Beautiful! Now if only I owned a saw!
x Sara from awildroseblog.com
This is incredible!! Definitely going to give it a try, the only thing I’d change is to make it with 3 legs instead of 4 as I think with a tripod shape the vertical ends would slot together neater and wouldn’t need to be hidden with the leather!
x
Really cool idea, you guys! I’m also thinking it might look nice to wrap canvas around a small top portion of the pyramid to serve as a shade for the lightbulb. I can’t wait to make this ๐
Ooh, really good idea Mackenzie! xo -Sarah
It wouldn’t hurt to try! ๐ -Sarah
Oh yeah! Seriously good idea. We might have to try that next! ๐ -Sarah
I’m trying to talk Josh into writing a little intro-to-power tools post, what do you think? I’m always a little scared to make that first cut too but once you get over that and go for it, it feels pretty exciting and rewarding! xo – Sarah
Eventually, yes! ๐ -Sarah
I have caught the same light making bug! Check out my recent project turning a music stand into an industrial tripod lamp from garage sale finds:
http://www.reckonandrevel.com/cold-dead-fingers/
I feel like everything has the potential to become a lamp!
THIS IS AWESOME! I love the simplicity of it, now to put my boyfriend to work!
http://www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com
x
Dang! Now that is a great piece! Uhoh… I think you just went and dumped fuel on my fire. Lamp making party!? xo- Sarah
so fun!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is really cool! I think it would be neat to incorporate some kind of opaque sheeting in the top triangular areas to make a shade.
I love how minimal yet stylish this project is. If I didn’t think my cat would try to play with it, I would definitely be adding one to my home.
any time!!! ๐
I agree, animals of many kinds and small children should not be around dangling wires and bare bulbs. I guess if you have neither living in or visiting…then just watch out for the clumsy old people (like me…he he).
Hi,
I’d like to make a suggestion for the ABM blog as a whole. I enjoy reading it, but don’t always check in every day. You post so often, which is great, but that means that sometimes there are several posts for me to scroll through in a day. They are all photo-heavy and not every post is one that I want to read all the way through, particularly the construction projects. They’re just not what I have time or tools for right now. Could you think about putting a “Click to read more” button at the beginning of some of these longer posts? It would encourage me to read ABM more, rather than be overwhelmed by content.
Thanks!