My friend Anne (remember her gorgeous home?) called me this weekend all aflutter about this beautiful lamp she found while trolling garage sales on Saturday. In fact, the lamp wasn't even a garage sale find, but a freebie spotted on the sidewalk en route from one sale to the next. Can you tell what the lamp base is made of? Answer after the jump!
If you guessed popsicle sticks, congrats! The lamp base is an intricate layered popsicle stick design that would likely put even the most talented fifth grader's Golden Gate Bridge model to shame. Anne was smitten with the lamp even before she noticed its humble materials.
We like the way the light passes through the lamp base in Anne's window. What do you think? Can you get behind popsicle stick décor? Could it ever become a trend? Are we looking at the new antlers here??
(Images: Anne Wintroub)
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Comments (20)
popsicle sticks! this style was really popular in the seventies along with beaded curtains and shag carpeting - oops!
I guess it looks good in her house because it blends with the beautiful decor. But I'm not sure it would shine just anywhere.
I kind of like it. It wold be cool painted a bright color.
This is reminiscent of (and may even be an example of) the folk art genre known as Tramp Art. Many beautiful pieces were made, using humble materials such as these, by itinerant workers during the early part of the 20th century. Some of their work is truly museum-worthy. This looks like a very desirable piece, and a stellar sidewalk find!
My father's side of the family is from Puerto Rico and I remember my uncle having these. He made a HUGE lamp about 3x the size of that one and said that they were relatively common down there. Thanks for showing it, I haven't seen one for years!!!
It is "tramp art" made by an 8th grader out of popsicle sticks for a very special Mother's Day gift. I see them all the time at estate auctions.
popsickle sticks!
It's pretty silly, but whatever. Something for everyone.
I saw one on the weekend in a Toronto consignment store . . . I couldn't believe they were trying to sell it. File this under another man's trash.
the lamp is atrocious
It's great in many ways, reuse, retrowise and architecturally. My only comment is the lampshade should cover the socket switch etc. You can find newly made "retro" lampshades, whip stitching and all at moonshineshades.com
pretty skillful 8th grader
I think a new white lampshade would make this look 10x better
i definitely think it needs a new shade!!
and, while some places could pull it off, it would only and forever scream Popsicle Sticks to me, when i looked at it. especially if it were never painted (which would be quite a task I would think!). Cool idea - but not for me.
Build yours with colorful marbles glued between every few layers of the Popsicle sticks! The crazier the shade the better; trim with pompom fringe.
I caught up on Design Star last night and when they went to the grocery store, I envisioned buying tons of Popsicles to make a hanging lamp with the sticks...
I think Marge Simpson made this lamp...
Me, I'm liking.
No need to purchase a new lampshade...just hot glue some long fringe around the bottom of the existing shade and VOILA!
Put a shorter "harp" on the lamp to bring the shade down past the socket and bulb. It will look much better. It's sort of geeky like it is!