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Repurposed Antique Rockers into Funky Floor Lamp

It’s Trash to Treasure Transformation time and I can’t wait to show you how I repurposed antique rocking chair rockers into a floor lamp. Yep. You might be thinking, “Whaaat?”, but let me show you what my crazy ol’ self did. hee hee hee.

Trash to Treasure Transformations by 5 Awesome DIY Bloggers

You see, every 2nd Tuesday of the month, my blogger friends and I have fun taking something cast-off and give it new life (be sure to see below for their projects too!). I choose these two sets of antique rockers I found at a garage sale this past summer for $1.

Pile of Antique Rocking Chair Rockers | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Last week I mentioned this example in my paint a window screen tutorial. Likewise, I typically use rockers to make my hand-painted signs like this one from my DIY repurposed sign tutorial.

DIY: Repurposed & Painted Sign Tutorial by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

But this time around, I envisioned something for all of them because when I was playing around with them after I brought them home, they looked cool like this…

Floor Lamp Base Made from Repurposed Antique Rockers | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

DIY TIME

At first I was envisioning a table made from them, but I was hesitant because they were a bit brittle. My husband spurred this project because he had been wanting a floor lamp in our family room, mind you we already had one. He wanted another one beside his favorite chair. He would even drag my lamp from our living room down to the other room, and guess who had to keep putting it back? tsk. He mentioned buying another one, to which I replied, “We don’t need a NEW (store-bought) lamp {gasp}, I will find you one or make you one.

So, I decided to create one instead and see if it would pass muster. My rocker leg base needed a post, so I dug into my stash of table legs I found at the garage sale to end all garage sales (a whole barrel full for $10!). This in only half the amount I scored.

Box of Antique Table Legs | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Additionally, I choose this leg to be used as the lamp post. Aren’t the turnings fantastic? I would love to see what the table originally looked like.

Repurposed Antique Table Leg for Floor Lamp | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Now how to get that post and rocker base to marry…  Well, the a week or so ago I threw away our shop broom because the head broke, but before I did I cut off the wooden handle (waste not, want not!). I decided to join the rockers at the head with some barn wood scraps, and then use the broom dowel as a pin to connect the rockers and the table leg together.  In order to do that, I had to whittle it to fit.

Old Broom Handle Makes Repurposed Antique Lamp Part | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

NEXT STEPS

Here’s my floor lamp base and post put together. Not bad for some junk, eh?

Repurposed Antique Rocker Floor Lamp Base | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Only thing left was to wire it for electric. After that, I bought a lamp kit, but didn’t like the brassy finish, so I used my Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint to darken it up.

Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Next, I added the lamp nipple to the post, and drilled in to add the wire.

Adding Wiring to Repurposed Antique Rocker Leg Lamp | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

I like working with wiring and figuring things out, and how they work on the inside. I used to tear stuff apart as a kid and put it back together. Yes, I’m quirky like that.

Now all it needed was a lamp shade. While I could have easily bought a new one, that wouldn’t match my rustic lamp now, would it? Off to the thrift store my kids and I go, and my youngest son found me this shade. However, it needs a new cover. Thankfully, I found a perfectly sized piece of cutwork curtain in my stash that I could use.

Thrifted Lamp Shade for Repurposed Floor Lamp | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Well, my husband didn’t know I was creating this and one night he said, “I saw that coat rack thingy you’re making…looks cool”.  I laughed and said, “It’s not a coat rack.” Good guess, but little did he know.

THE REVEAL

Here it is in our family room snuggled in with my other repurposed decor, like my DIY barn wood shutters from pallets and barn wood & bedskirt valance.

Antique Rockers Turned into Funky Floor Lamp | Prodigal PIeces | www.prodigalpieces.com

The day I finished it, I had the light turned on when he came home. I kept telling the kids he’s going to hate it because he can’t stand chippy stuff.

Floor Lamp from Repurposed Antique Rockers | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

He thought my creation was worthy of keeping and now is a coveted reading spot for my family of bibliophiles.

Rustic Floor Lamp from Repurposed Antiques | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

And yes, it does work. {wink}

Repurposed Antique Rocker Lamp Lit | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Our family room is next on the list after we complete our kitchen remodel (update HERE). However, t is always changing with my funky decor. Yes, I know some would think this lamp is horrid, but it’s mine and my home is made of things I create or find. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is more, I’d love it if you would pin and share my repurposed antique rockers so that others can be inspired to get funky with their junk and turn it into a repurposed antique too! ♥

Repurposed Antique Rockers and Table Leg Become Floor Lamp | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Now, take a minute and check out what these ladies made from their trashure:

Thrifted Artwork Makeover by Artsy Chicks RuleArtsy Chicks Rule Media Cabinet Makeover by Girl in the GarageGirl in the Garage
Vintage Luggage Makeover by Confessions of a Serial DIYerConfessions of a Serial DIYer Military Foot Locker Makeover by Bless'er HouseBless’er House

Next, I’m showing you what I created with these garage sale finds and show you how to do it too! HEAD HERE.

Repurposed Garage Sale Finds Make Tiered Tray | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

While you’re at it, here are more projects like my repurposed antique rockers:

Create a repurposed coat rack using cast off barn wood and furniture pieces | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.comDon't Throw Out Your Baby's Crib! Repurpose It For Garden, Storage, or a Chalkboard Easel by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Comments

    • Larissa says

      The answer…I’m nuts. ha! Seriously though, I’m sure you’re like me, Christy, and have ideas flowing like a waterfall out of your head. I just need more time! Thank you for the love.

  1. Mary-the boondocks blog says

    What a great re p urpose Larissa! From absolute junk to a beautiful light! And here I was racking my brains out try ing to figure out what you were going to do with those . Excellent and clever of you!!

    • Larissa says

      Hahaha…glad I stumped you! We love it and it’s completely ours. Thank you, Mary!

  2. Sherry Fram says

    Wow! I want to be you when I grow up! I would never look at that pile of rocker parts & come up with a floor lamp!! It looks awesome!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks so much, Nancy! We are happy to add it to our decor.

  3. Paula@SweetPea says

    You are so creative! I love seeing what you come up with when you find junk that most people would throw away. This is a great addition to your home.

    • Larissa says

      Like you, I have fun and love finding treasures…my trashure. 😉 Thank you, Paula!

  4. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    Larissa, this is so cool! I bet you’re the only person to have ever thought of such a thing. I like the way your clever mind works. 😉

    • Larissa says

      I hope that’s a good thing, Jen! hahaha… Thank you for the love.

  5. Lauren says

    That’s is brilliant, Larissa! I never ever would have thought of that one. It reminds me a little bit of those tripod lamps that cost hundreds of dollars in Restoration Hardware.

    • Larissa says

      hahaha…thanks, Lauren! I do have a surveyors tripod I found curbside and was originally going to use that. Another project coming soon! 😉

  6. Marie, The Interior Frugalista says

    I know I already told you on social media how much I loved your repurposed rocking chair rockers but I needed to come here to your blog, now that it’s up and running again, to tell you again how much I LOVE YOUR FUNKY FLOOR LAMP!!! I’m also glad to hear you’re keeping it because it looks great in your family room.

    • Larissa says

      You are just too sweet, Marie! I love the lamp and it does feel good to keep some of my creations. My blog is back, but is having bumpy days…sigh. Hopefully it will be up full blast soon!

  7. Jeanne says

    Boy I love this. You took all things that were needing some thing, because what they were was no more. That is upcycling. This lamp is the perfect example. Plus you spent less than $5 bucks on it. Great job! Love the lamp.

    • Larissa says

      Awesome! Thank you. I really only spent money on the lamp kit, and most everything else was a $1. The best! 😀

  8. Sue Pagels says

    Love your creativity – I could read your posts all day!

  9. Kelly Whitman says

    Love this! What a creative idea! So unique & guaranteed there are no others like it! Awesome job!

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