May 18, 2012

DIY Industrial {style} Expandable Light



One day while browsing Etsy I cam across this super sweet vintage light- only problem...it sold for 1200$. 
Yup. One thousand, two hundred dollars. Now remember- it is authentically old and stuff, so that maybe counts for something.
{I purposely did not provide a link to this sale- cause I don't want to screw up someone's business/livelihood- so I didn't want to link my "fab" DIY to their sale--comprende?}
 
OK- back to the light- the second I saw it, I knew two things.
{1} I wanted it as a sconce for my spare bedroom.
{2} I knew I could make my own!
What You Need: 
Tin Funnel {from Harbor freight- 5 bucks}
Frack Mirror {from Ikea- 5 bucks}
 Light Kit  or salvage old one- {dismantled old light- zero dollars}
Vintage looking or "cool" light bulb {depends on which you buy}
 
This project was so super easy- once you have the right supplies. You read the supplies right- the Frack is a mirror from Ikea. It's in the bathroom supply section of the store and comes with a sweet expandable arm. 


Instead of buying a light kit I used the innards of an old light. I glued the base of that light {that metal pole} to the base of the funnel. Then glued the pole at the end of the light to the screwable portion of the Frack mirror.

 
I used clear automotive glue to adhere all the pieces together. It's supposed to be good for high temps- but I haven't given the lamp a good trial run...so I guess we'll see! {I'll keep ya posted! ;-)  } There's probably a zillion ways to put these items all together- but it was one of those things where this wasthe stuff on hand and went for it.
 I super love how the light can be expanded over your head for easy reading- or not. The arm swings- so the light can stay against the wall- or the window. It really makes for a great bedside reading lamp- something unique and vintage-y looking. I know some folks dig the original- and wouldn't think twice about the 1200 price tag...but my heart goes pitter-patter for a good deal and a great DIY.

 Here's a few bonus shots- from the post with new map art I just made.
You can see how the expandable piece moves in and out. It also swings side to side, so it can be moved out over the bed- or against the wall, out of the way.

What do you guys think- original or knock off?

38 comments:

  1. Wow! $1200??? Go figure! Anyway you did a great job of re-creating one that looks just like it. My favorite thing is to re-create! Great job I love yours!
    Susan
    Homeroad

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  2. i love it so much! it looks awesome!!!!!!! i know i can diy it, but for 1200, i mean, why not just buy?

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  3. Great job Becca, it looks great and so much like the original!

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  4. You are seriously amazing! This is so freakin cool!!

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  5. Holy smokes girl, you are absolutely amazing! LOVE this, I'm telling you, I need to move in to your place. :)

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  6. Yea! More awesome knock-offs from you! Glad you're back!

    Awesome lamp!!!

    --Katie

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  7. WOW! Good job - that seriously is incredible. I have seen and admired lights like this as well and NEVER would have thought it could be "knocked off" so well!

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  8. I literally said, "NO WAY" out loud. This is seriously the coolest thing EVER. I've been trying to figure out lights for above my boys' beds. Bingo. Becca to the rescue. You win. You are the coolest. :) Love love love it. And the price.

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  9. You are SO clever! Love it, and the price is definitely right ;-)

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  10. What the Frack?! Love this - you are a genius!
    Kelly

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  11. I love that you always just think 'i can totally make that' ... i tend to think the same things and my friends, even, when we're out and about and see something we like are like 'you could just make that'. hahaha
    this knock off came out awesome, love it!

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  12. I sent my hubby the link to this post - he loves making unusual bespoke pieces (Because he can!) so this was right up his ally. He thought it was pretty cool. Aren't you bummed that you didn't have a soldering iron or a welder to use.

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  13. This is an AWESOME knockoff! Seriously, what a good idea! I might end up using this idea someday...

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  14. Way to go girl! Love your knockoff DIY's and this as usual doesn't disappoint! So awesome! I think I will make this for my son's bedroom above his desk, where this isn't much space for a table lamp, but this would work perfectly! Thanks for sharing! Hope you had a fun trip in your new Jeep :) Heather

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  15. Love reading in bed, so this may be just the thing I need. Great project. I don't have an IKEA nearby, but may give it a try anyway.
    Thanks for the great idea.
    Laura
    http://lauranell.com

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  16. Oh my gosh I love how you think! That is brilliant ;)

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  17. Yours is even better! Kuddos on your handiness, quite clever. Glad I found your blog today~new follower! Angie

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  18. you are officially my lamp revamp (all types of revamp) and knock off idol!!! xo

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  19. Awesome project!! I just pinned it and hope to try it myself some day!

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  20. Wow, this is so smart. You achieved the exact same look with new materials, even. Brilliant. You've made a follower out of me!
    http://homemademodern.blogspot.com

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  21. LOVE IT! I might make a few of these for my bedroom now :)

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  22. Beautiful idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Ikea used to make a lamp of the same style that was wooden, I've got one in my kitchen right now. The big problem with Ikea lights that you so cleverly avoided by making your own is they are hard to find shades to fit. Your knock-off of the vintage original is fantastic. Well done!

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  24. Wow! Love this, please share it! Link it up with me on my Wow Us Wednesday, ok? Over at www.familyhomeandlife.com

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  25. This is so cool. I love your affordable and creative solution. I think I'll have to try this out myself. What a great job you did.

    Your knock off looks pretty original to me:)

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  26. You've done it again! This is so awesome!! I featured you (again) today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!!

    http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-im-in-love-wow.html

    XOXO
    Jenn @ Social Salutations

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  27. Love your DIY version, and I do think $1200 is a bit steep, even if it is 'proper vintage'! You did a great job of recreating it :)

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  28. Okay seriously this is fabulous. I have been looking for something like this for my sons room. Thank you so much for the how to. Pinning this right now

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  29. Would love to see a better lit closeup of where the funnel meets the lamp (and of the finished project entirely).

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  30. This is amazing. Thank you for sharing!

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  31. Ikea has a lamp that would work for this so you do not need to get the funnel & parts; it is called the FOTO lamp. Unfortunately, it looks like it is made to hard wire now; it used to be a plug in lamp. Sadly, it has gone up a bit in price it used to be about $7.00, now it is $19.00. Also Photo bounce lights found in the hardware stores would have a similar shade and the plug in light parts. If I recall they are cheap. Even sadder Ikea used to make a lamp just like that & they discontinued it even though it would be very popular right now. Can't figure them out they also discontinued their drop ball pendant for $39.00, now if we want it we have to pay hundreds & buy elsewhere.

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  32. Fantastic! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  33. Great knockoff, Becca!!!!!
    xo,
    Shannon

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  34. Hi! This is really clever-- great job! Im trying to do it but cannot for the life of me find funnels. Ideas?

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Thoughts? Questions? Opinions? Let's talk about it!