UncategorizedInspired Design Challenge Week 3: West Elm July 29, 2013I have been so excited for this week’s version of Inspired Design Challenge. We’re focusing on West Elm. This was the first project that I decided on for our little challenge. Here’s what I came up with: I was so in love with West Elm’s Accordian Sconce. But for me, $180 was a pretty steep price tag. I was picturing this on either side of our master bed, so two of those is really steep for me. When I saw IKEA’s Frack mirror, I had an idea. When I saw the price tag of $4.99, I was more than willing to try it out. Materials: 1 IKEA Frack Mirror 1 Small lamp shade 1 Lamp Kit (this Westinghouse kit found at The Home Depot) Zip Ties Not pictured: 1 screw, 1 nut (sizes will depend on your chosen lamp kit) Step1: Thread the wire through the socket of the lamp kit. For this step, completely follow the directions found on the lamp kit to put the actual kit and socket together. This is what will make the lamp actually work. The base is just pretty. So the directions on the packaging are great. Before moving onto the next step, put a bulb in the socket, plug it in, and make sure you’ve got it wired correctly. The wiring process is not difficult, but re-wiring after you’ve zip-tied the wire onto the base could be tricky. Step 2: Unpack the Frack Mirror The mirror comes not put together, so you want the base portion. You will be using the part where the mirror would screw on as the base for your socket. Step 3: Screw a nut onto the top of the base. The socket does not fit all the way down onto this part of the base. The nut boosts our “base” and gives the socket something to rest on. Step 4: Screw your socket onto the base. The size of screw will depend on what type of lamp kit you buy. Step 5: Attach cord to base with zip ties. Your socket is now attached, but the cord will be hanging down….not the pretty look we want. So, we zip tied the cord at three key points along the accordion shape making sure to follow the shape of the base. Make sure you leave a little slack because this lamp can be pushed against the wall or stretched out. You will want a tiny bit of extra cord so that the lamp can be pulled all the way out over the bed if you’re reading, etc. Step 6: Prime and paint the color of your choice. I chose gold for this master bedroom design that is starting to come together. This part is key because after this step, the base, cord, and zip ties are all the same color, so none stand out. Step 7: Hang on the wall, put on a shade, and enjoy! Make sure that when you hang it, hang the side with the cord exposed against the wall. You will still see them, but it will minimize the “unpretty” that you see. You still see the zip ties and where the wire connects, but it is minimal, especially when you aren’t looking up close. There you have it. The West Elm version is$180 and my total for this (frack mirror, shade, lamp kit) was $22! As always, go see what my lovely design partners cooked up! 1. Angie’s Roost 2. Bliss at Home 3. Brave New Home 4. Embrace My Space Just a reminder, I’m off on The World’s Longest Yard Sale this week. I won’t be posting normally, but will be very active on Instagram with all my finds and experiences. I’ll be dropping in here when I can, but for finds and more updates, follow lifeofsplendor on Instagram. Also, on Thursday, I’m headed to the Haven Conference, so lots of exciting things to come about that 🙂
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says July 29, 2013 at 8:03 am This is amazing Lindsay! I love it! I wish I had a reason to make this. Maybe our family room one day! Pinning! xo Kristin Reply
Lindsay says July 29, 2013 at 8:16 am Thank you, Kristin! That would look great in your family room! And I adore your art! So fun your boys made it. I pinned it and shared! Reply
Jennifer says July 29, 2013 at 12:21 pm Wow, this is fantastic! I love that about Ikea–it’s so affordable it really allows you to try new things. Great project : ] Reply
Elisa says July 29, 2013 at 2:55 pm Get outta town! I can’t believe you made that!! It looks fab. Reply
Angie says July 29, 2013 at 10:02 pm You better get to the vet…cuz those pythons…I mean…sconces are sick! Seriously! This is the coolest thing I think I’ve ever seen! Pinning! Reply
sara says July 30, 2013 at 4:31 pm I love this, Lindsay! I’m never brave enough to tackle lighting projects – kudos to you. It looks great and what a great price! Reply
Lora @ Craftivity Designs says July 30, 2013 at 5:27 pm This is a great hack! I’ve been wanting some lights like these for each side of our bed. Pinning! Reply
Thistle says August 3, 2013 at 1:38 am So awesome to meet you at Haven! LOOOOOOOVE the lamp! SERIOUSLY! You are such a rock star! Happy day! karianne PS You should totally pin it. 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says August 5, 2013 at 10:17 am Thank you, Karianne! You are so sweet 🙂 Thanks again for all your advice! It was seriously revolutionary! Reply
Serena @ Thrift Diving says August 3, 2013 at 1:26 pm What a cool idea!! And for only $22! We met last night at Haven, while talkign to KariAnne (from Thislewood). It was great to meet you, and to be able to sit there and pic KariAnne’s brain!! Hope to keep in touch!! Serena Thrift Diving Reply
Lindsay says August 5, 2013 at 10:16 am Thanks, Serena! Headed to check our your blog too. Great to meet you at Haven! Reply
cassie says August 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm LOVE it lindsay! so very cool and the perfect hack! so great to meet you and look forward to reading your blog! Reply
Lindsay says August 5, 2013 at 10:16 am Thank you, Cassie! So glad we met also and headed over to yours! Reply
Han @ Brooklyn DIY Designs says August 13, 2013 at 3:41 pm Great tutorial! I have been wanting to spray paint the ikea mirror gold but wonder on how durable the paint will be with the moving parts… Reply
Lindsay says August 14, 2013 at 5:40 pm Thanks, Han! So far it has held up really well. Then again, we aren’t moving these in and out constantly. We have them at a good placement for reading, etc. and aren’t really moving them. I think if some of it did scratch off, though, you could just repaint. They look really good gold, though! Reply
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says August 16, 2013 at 8:20 am WOw, this is really great. I totally didn’t notice the zip ties from your first pic. You could really have a lot of fun with this. Thanks for sharing!! Reply
Jane says July 29, 2015 at 1:45 pm Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much for this idea and tutorial. Guess what I’ll be making this weekend 🙂 Reply
[…] are two examples of Lindsay’s projects – a West Elm knockoff accordion lamp and a bold pillow she fashioned out of small kilim-inspired rugs for World Market […] Reply
[…] I am in love with this genius idea of turning an accordion mirror into an amazing light! […] Reply
[…] Lindsay of The White Buffalo Styling Co. was in love with the idea of adding accordion sconces to both sides of her master bed. However, we all know that it simply wasn’t happening at $180 a pop. Especially when Lindsay had a plan for using the parts from a $4.99 IKEA mirror to create her own stylish lamps. I love Lindsay’s outside-the-box thinking for this project, and the end result is simply stunning! […] Reply