This post contains affiliate links, FYI. For my complete disclosure policy, please click HERE.
So, you may remember that we’ve decided to find a new friend for Hank, our rescued 10-year-old Golden Retriever. (I promise – I’m getting to the DIY tripod floor lamp part…bear with me.)
We believe in adopting rescued dogs, whether from a rescue group or a shelter.
They rescue you right back.
This is the third year I’ve participated in the Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals. Here’s how it works: The wonderful Jeanette of the blog Country Design Style gets a bunch of animal-loving DIY and home bloggers together. We each go to a thrift store whose sales benefit animal rescue and we buy something to transform. Then, we transform the piece and show you the finished product.
I headed to my favorite thrift store, Second Life Thrift. Here’s what I started with:
It’s a wooden surveyors’ tripod. That’s right – it’s marked at $4! I knew it would make the perfect DIY tripod floor lamp.
I had seen tripod floor lamps before and always wanted one, but not for $469, which is what this one costs, from Pottery Barn:
Instead, I bought the tripod, a lampshade, and a lamp kit
You can also find lamp kits at your local hardware store or on Amazon here (<–affiliate link).
Here’s how to make the DIY tripod floor lamp.
First, make sure that you have an adapter that fits into the tripod opening. The lamp kit I used had three different-sized adaptors, and one worked. The adaptors are usually rubber or plastic and can be adjusted or manipulated to fit.
Follow the instructions on the lamp kit, which are usually straightforward. If you don’t know how to tie an underwriter’s knot, just google “how to tie an underwriter’s knot” and there are several videos. It’s easy, I promise!
You should end up with something that looks like that, above.
Add a bulb and a shade and you’ve got yourself a lamp!
If you want to make a tripod table lamp (rather than a floor lamp), please see this tutorial.
And, if you are in the market for a new furry friend, please rescue one. I’d be happy to answer any questions about rescued animals – I’ve both worked for rescue groups and adopted rescued dogs.
Please check out all the bloggers participating in this benefit:
My DIY tripod lamp has been featured here:
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
LOVE this! Yours looks every bit as high end as the pricey one – well done!
Thank you, Julie!!
Thank you Karen for joining on our third year! I’ve been wanting a tripod lamp, but the prices! What a great find and makeover. Pinning!
Thanks, Jeanette! Thank you for hosting this amazing and fun event and for including me each year!
What a great find and you made the perfect lamp from it. Yours looks every bit as awesome as the Pottery Barn one.
Thanks, Paula!!
Looks great…I love these type of lamps..great find
Thanks, Tammy!
This is fabulous! I can’t believe you made that fabulous lamp for $20-It looks like it’s right out of magazine
My new thrift mission find a tripod- lol
Cheers!
Thank you!! You are so sweet!
PS Your dogs are so precious!
Thank you!! 🙂
Oh my goodness. I like YOURS even better. So smart, fashion forward and inexpensive. That’s my kind of project.
I can’t believe that you found it for $4. What a steal!
Thanks for sharing and for showing us Hank. 🙂
Thanks, Meegan!
Great job! Your tripod lamp scores an A+ Pottery Barn could take some lessons from you! $469. What materials could possibly cost that much? Thrift store, rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale recycling DIY-ers rule!
LOL – thank you!! #DIY4eva!
She shoots, she scores! GREAT FIND! I LOVE IT!!!
LOL! Thank you!
now THAT’S AMAZING!!! I just sat here with my mouth open…way to go!!!
Thank you, Robin!!
What a great lamp and for a great cause. My little Chewy, rescued pekingese/yorkie is a precious pup and has made a wonderful friend.
Awww…I love it! Thank you!
This is awesome Karen! I’m super jealous that you were able to score that base for $4!
Thanks, Meagan!!
Love, love, love this lamp!! And your doggies! So sweet! 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer!!
Another deal of the century! Your lamp looks every bit of gorgeous as the high dollar one. Thanks for stopping by earlier today! :o)
Thanks, Lucy!!
I have never seen those tripods for $4! What a great price! And your project turned out great. I would love one of these lamps!
Your pups are adorable!
Thank you, Steph!!
I work in Engineering and when my boss retired he gave me an antique survey tripod from the early 1900s he had kept in his office for 40 years. I had absolutely no idea I could pull this off and I wanted to thank you for the guts and inspiration to do it! I’ll be hunting for a lamp kit soon 🙂
Wow – that is too cool! Good luck!! I included a link to Amazon where you can get a lamp kit, FYI. Email me if you have any questions, m’kay? I would love to see the finished product!!
Thanks! I may have to take you up on that! Cheers Karen!
Great job Karen! I made the same one a few years ago and it’s one of our favorites!
Found you on Blogtalk- I am an animal lover and always seek out pet charity thrift shops for my project parts and for my Junkin’ Journey posts. I would LOVE to participate in the next Thrift Benefit Blog Hop, if you’re looking for more upcycling bloggers!!
Thank you!
Sadie Seasongoods
Sounds good! I will pass that along!! That would be awesome! Thank you!!
Love it! And love that you saved $449 in the process. Who pays those insane prices anyway?
Thanks! Seriously. $449 for a lamp?!? Thanks for hosting the link up!
Thank you for the feature!!
Thank you, Paula!!