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Friday, May 28, 2010

Steamer Trunk Lamp - Repurposing Project



This project came about because I found an antique steamer trunk from around 1890. It was too good to throw away, and not good enough to put in countless hours restoring it. I loved the cast iron hardware and the naturally aged patina, so I decided to see if I couldn't use the individual components, to make a very unusual and showstopping table lamp.





The colors were very appealing to me. It seemed to have those Ralph Lauren leathery, cabin hues.



I scavenged the parts I thought I would need from it. The idea here was not to throw anything away. If I was going to dismantle an antique trunk, I wanted to make sure that the entire thing went to good use. By saving all the pieces from 1 trunk I probably have enough parts to make a dozen or so lamps.


if you are going to make one of these yourself, will need to make some sort of lamp body to nail everything to. I used some scrap that was laying in the back yard. I stole the dimensions from a lamp I had in my living room.





I wrapped the tin sheets around the wood body and tacked them in place. Then I used the cast iron decorative hardware to add a little personality. I didn't worry about holes in the tin, or defects. I just let this rustic looking old lamp, "speak for itself" .








Here is a closeup view.




What could be more fun than an animal print shade to top it off?







I have a few more of these lamps I am working on. I will post some pictures, as I complete them.




Hope you enjoyed the post.


Please be sure to visit my Link Party Directory to see who I am partying with today. It lists over 100 parties this week.

23 comments:

  1. Wow! That lamp turned out so cool! I especially love the animal print touch. :)

    ~Chelsea

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  2. Very cool and so unique. I have one of those trunks in the same state as yours, so maybe I'll make a lamp from mine too!

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  3. Totally gorgeous!!!
    I love this project!!
    =)

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  4. Very impressive! There goes that imagination again!
    loving it!
    Kathy

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  5. I would never have thought to do that - very ingenious and it looks great!

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  6. A lamp from a trunk? Who would have thought? Genius and super cool!

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  7. That's awesome - I'm impressed!

    Glad I found you through Coastal Charm...

    Have a great week.

    Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea
    "Celebrating the Coastal Lifestyle"

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  8. Just love how the lamp turned out!

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  9. What a darling lamp! I love the animal print! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

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  10. Lovely!!!!!! Thanks for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day... :)

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  11. I would never had thought to turn that trunk into a lamp!

    Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills Party!

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  12. This is great!! I really love the lamp!
    Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!
    {Rebekah}

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  13. Incredibly gorgeous project.

    thanks

    blessings

    barbara jean

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  14. Fabulous job! Another inspiring project! I adore the leopard shade! Gorgeous! Thanks again for joining The Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  15. That is a really clever repurposing! I wish I had the insight to look at something and see the possibilities of what it could become. Fixing up, yes, I can do but imaginative creating like this? No way! Awesome job!

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  16. Whoa. I was not expecting that. What an awesome use for a steamer trunk!

    Thank you for participating in the Craft Therapy Session with Life in the Pitts

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  17. That is an incredible project, what a great way to "save" the trunk.

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  18. Wow! Great idea! I like how it turned out!

    Thanks for linking up!

    I hope you join me today for another link party!

    Ashley
    www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

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  19. You are soo creative! To be able to see past what is and imagine what could be....

    :-)

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