Better Homes And Gardens 70 Victorian Torchiere Floor Lamp

Upcycling Experts Jenny Lloyd And Jonathan Parkin turn a lacklustre design into a standout vintage floor lamp. Read on to see how a 1970s standard lamp is transformed with dark paintwork, waxed wood and a lampshade you can design and make yourself.

YOU WILL NEED:

A vintage floor lamp with a solid wood base – this one came from environmental charity Ecco

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Before

TO STRIP THE LAMP BASE:

Fine and/or medium sandpaper (this will sometimes be enough to strip a thin varnish) AND/OR paint/varnish stripper – try 100 per cent biodegradable Soy Gel, £26.40 a litre, Dave Roper An old 50mm paintbrush (if using stripper)
A washing-up sponge with an abrasive side (if using stripper) An old toothbrush for cleaning any mouldings or carving (if using stripper) OR dispense with the stripping and try no-preparation paint by Annie Sloan (see below)

TO PAINT THE LAMP BASE:

Low-tack masking tape
Matt emulsion – try Dulux Tailor Made Colour in Urban Obsession, £2.99 for 250ml, OR Chalk Paint in Graphite, £18.95 a litre, Annie Sloan
A 50mm paintbrush
Fine sandpaper

TO FINISH:

Fine sandpaper and wire wool Duster
Beeswax with lanolin – try Carr & Day & Martin's Leather Balsam, £12.90 for 500ml, Amazon
Soft cloths for applying wax and buffing

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TO REPLACE THE FLEX:

Braided, fabric-covered flex – we used 3-core 5mm light flex in black, £3.30 for 3 metres, Lamps and Lights

TO REPLACE THE LAMPSHADE:

Lampshade OR lampshade kit – we used a 45cm drum lampshade kit, £14.99; with personalised digital print (you can use your own photo, picture or artwork), £15; both needcraft.co.uk

Decide how you want your lamp to look and what finishes to use where.

SEPARATE the upright from the base if they come apart.

STRIP everything back to bare wood with sandpaper, paint/ varnish stripper (following the manufacturer's directions) or a combination of both. Using medium and/or fine sandpaper go over any area(s) you want to leave unpainted to create a smooth finish. Or, if using no-preparation paint, follow the instructions on the tin.

ATTACH the upright to the base if you separated them before stripping the paint.

MASK any areas you're leaving stripped, then apply the first coat of paint, taking care not to overload the brush and avoiding blobs and dribbles as much as possible. Once dry, smooth down with sandpaper, then apply a second coat, this time aiming for complete coverage. Leave to dry.

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GO OVER the paintwork with fine sandpaper and wire wool until all visible areas are smooth and you're happy with the finish.

DUST thoroughly, then apply wax to the painted and stripped areas with a cloth. Remove all residue with a second, clean cloth, buffing to a shine.

GET a qualified electrician to rewire your lamp with the fabric-covered flex.

FOLLOW the directions supplied if you're making your lampshade with a kit. See needcraft.co.uk for helpful information and instructional videos. It's also useful to look at a similar, finished lampshade to see what the end result should be. Note that the ring with the fitting must be placed at the bottom of the shade for a standard lamp.

FIT the shade onto the stand.

For more upcycled designs from Jenny and Jonathan visit somethingorother.co.uk

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