Tuesday, January 6, 2009

"Waa..what happened to the 'tricity Wally?" One of my favorite lines from "Leave It to Beaver". So, I know quite a few of my friends are 'a scared of 'tricity but rewiring a single socket lamp is truly simple. All the instructions are on the back of the package and there are only 3 short steps. I purchase the cord (with the plug intact), then purchase the socket separate. I find it's cheaper this way. I first strip out the old wiring then give the lamp a good cleaning and allow it to dry out throughly for a day or two before rewiring. I've had this very old lamp & all the replacement parts for about 2 years with intent to rewire. Not only was the wiring a disgrace , it was filthy and someone had pasted stickers and pictures all over it. What a cleaning job that was. Here it is, finally finished, and it fits perfectly in the spot I had intended it for. Being quite old, I uncovered some asbestos insulating in the old socket so, do be cautious of this and ease any asbestos out slowly and carefully avoiding inhalation of any particles. The detail and color of this old piece are stunning and of course, who doesn't love roses and Lily-of-the-Valley? Don't pass up bargain beautiful old lamps just because of poor wiring. I promise, if I can do it, you can too.

7 comments:

Gail said...

Wow!
That is one stunning lamp! I've never re-wired a lamp but would if I had one that beautiful....great job!
Gail

jana said...

I love that lamp. I've rewired a lamp, but I'm still a little antsy when it comes to electrical stuff like light switches and outlets.

Deirdra Doan said...

Your blog is so funny and beautiful! Just like me and decorating and projects. But I want to quit fixing up decor and paint and do my art...but then the beauty of the flea market calls.....
Your photo's on flicker are amazing! Do you publish in a magazine? Reminds me of Victoria mag. My husband was in it once. www.johndoan.com

Yes blessings on finishing those projects...I have taken to throwing away a few treasures...like no cane on the seat of a chair etc. My art is calling!

Sue said...

Hi...Thanks so much for stopping by my blog....Are there any nuts running around loose in Reston?? Maybe someday they will leave a comment...Your blog looks so fun, I love your description of yourself...Sounds like me on most days...I hope you stop back again and i look forward to reading thru your blog....Sue.

Marilyn said...

Lol! I can just hear the Beav saying that! Thanks for the encouragement--you make re-wiring sound so easy. Maybe I'll look at old lamps differently from now on.
Your lamp is beautiful...lovely work!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wow! That's a beautiful lamp! Love your blog title btw! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Manuela

Free Art Printables said...

That's a really fantastic one of a kind lamp! Jen