Turn Old Lamps Into Candlesticks

I absolutely hate collecting trash, having it find itself to my storage somehow and not knowing what the heck to do with it. Literally.
So, I'm not one to dumpster dive, but about two or so years ago I happened to be driving by a dumpster at my old apartment building and found these....
(I promise they were on the side of the dumpster, not in them...luckily)

Wow, had they seen better days but I don't know what possessed me, I hopped out of my car, ran, grabbed them, threw them in the back seat, looked around and made sure no one saw me (aside from the small old guy that pleasantly waived)...then high tailed it out of there. Once I got them in the apartment, I looked at them and sighed...just what was I thinking? I humiliated myself over pieces of junk; there was more than one reason why they found themselves in the garbage.
As you can see, they were chipped all over, the top was loose and non fixable, and the darn things didn't even work. I knew I could spray paint them and hook up a new lamp kit but I didn't really care at the time. So somehow they stuck with me through three moves later.

I was driving home one day, in traffic....so of course thats where I get my best ideas, which inevitably makes the traffic worse because I'm impatient and want to get started on said ideas ASAP. Anyway...I thought of a plan for these beauties.
First I started taking them apart. Pulling out the cord, unscrewing everything to find that the whole lamp was held together with one small little bar:

I took this out.....and everything came tumbling down. Doh!
Luckily I had the other lamp to reference to put all the pieces back together again w/o the middle bar. Instead I just glued all the right parts to each other, apart from the top portion (for reasons you will see later):


So, a little more glue and a few sprays of oil bronzed paint later, I finally found a home for my little dumpster treasures:

They then had a small little photo shoot cuz I was so proud. I mean goodness....2 1/2 years will do that to a girl.


For inspiration visit these ladies at their wonderful parties.....
Kimba @ A Soft Place To Land
Kimm @ Reinvented
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick
Becky @ Beyond The Picket Fence

21 comments

  1. I love these!! I especially love that they are big enough on top to fit a few candles! How pretty and unique. I am not a huge dumpster diver either (although I make exceptions if someone puts something cool out on their curb for the trash guy to pick up) but I found a really nice barbecue in the dumpster at my old appt. one time and I just HAD to take it. It worked great! I don't know why anyone would throw away a bbq but it saved me having to buy one. lol. Don't think of dumpster diving as humiliating yourself...your saving the landfills! You should get a medal! :)

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  2. OMGOSH!!!! That is such a creative idea. Pretty amazing! Can't wait to go garage sale shopping now and look for old lamps.

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  3. Fantabulous!!! I have to admit, I do dumpster dive frequently in my apartments dumpster...but like you not actually in it, people leave things on the outer part. I love how you tied 3 candles together instead of using 1 big one!

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  4. Wow, they look fantastic! How nice that you gave these derelict lamp a brand new beautiful life!

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  5. LOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!!! Great transformation, wow!

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  6. Looks awesome, great job repurposing!

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  7. what great vision! they look fabulous!
    gail

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  8. Those turned out sooo great! What a cool way to re-purpose too. I really love them. You did a great job!

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  9. Great idea! I must say the other day at Goodwill I say a lamp that looked just like a candle stick...these lamps were a great find!

    Chelsea

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  10. Very cute! Great idea! Hey, check out: http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/03/follwer-give-way.html
    for a giveaway!

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  11. Ok first I thought what great lamps, and why would you not fix them?!? But then, after you showed us I realized you had an eye for the candlesticks whereas I couldnt see that in the beginning. And the use of 3 candles on each candlestick?!... brilliant! So unique and clever. I bow to your creative eye!

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  12. Great Idea! I love the new candlesticks!

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  13. Nice makeover. Great height for candles.
    Kathy

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  14. Genius you are, I love em' Marla

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  15. WOW!!! Those are PRICELESS! Super idea, love the 3 candles tided together.

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  16. I have yet to find a goodie by someones garbage can. I secretly am always on the look out. I mean free-ninety-free is always the best price right? I love what you did with your find! So inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
    Bon @ Drab to Fab
    www.gorgfabgoodies.blogspot.com

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  17. You had me at dumpster. I love the trio of candles on these, thanks so much for linking up!

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  18. wow!! i love them!

    I'm hosting a giveaway @ my blog! stop by and check it out!!

    http://madebystephie.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-giveaway.html

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  19. So pretty! What a transformation, I love the detail. Thanks for linking up!

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happy DIYing! Alicia