This may look like a pretty lamp now, but in its former life it was quite grungy.
This is what the bottle looked like. I know it doesn't look bad here, but under all that wicker was a nasty dirty mess. I kept it like this for a couple years, but the bottom was all broken and dirt kept falling out so I decided to cut the wicker off and see what was underneath.
This is an old photo that shows it up on top of the bookcase in the great room. After painting the walls I didn't put anything back up on top.
After cutting the wicker off this is what it looked like. Um, can we say gross?
I found on Pinterest how to clean dirty bottles and followed what they said. Use denture cleaning tablets. I took this bottle to our utility sink and filled it with hot water. Then I added about four tablets since this bottle is huge and watched it work. I did this step three times and let it soak for days.
Hard to see, but the old cork is in the bottom of the bottle.
After pouring out all that filthy water this is the only area that would not come off. That's okay its where wine sat in the bottle for years and I call that patina. :)
Much easier to see the cork now and it turned dark from all that soaking.
So after all that cleaning I decided to turn it into a lamp because I don't have many lamps and really need one since I love the look of these old bottles turned into lamps.
So I went to Home Depot and picked up a lamp kit and Mr. Savvy put it together for me. One problem this kit is not complete! In order to get the part that the harp fits in you have to buy the separate harp kit. I have lots of extra harps here so didn't need to buy a harp until Mr. Savvy said he needed the missing piece. So don't do like I do and only buy this kit. Get the harp kit, too.
So it went from this.....
.....to this with a shade I already had.
Much better don't you think?
Be sure to come back tomorrow for another blogger's favorite room!
Now that's what I call saving money! I love getting the look for less! The cork is such a great touch!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Kim!! And, thanks for the tip of using the denture tablets! I'm sure that will come in handy some day. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. I like its patina. Surely it has a story to tell. I picked up two new bottle lamp kits for two dollar each the other day. I know you needed another lamp:}
ReplyDeleteI love it Kim!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
It turned out great Kim! I love the patina and that the cork is still inside!
ReplyDeleteI love making bottle lamps too. I used oxy clean in my old bottles to get the grunge out, but I will definitely look for those denture cleaning tablets. Pretty lamp!!
ReplyDeleteNot bad at all! I love this huge glass lamp! Thanks for giving me inspiration! I have a two big glass vases that might look great as a lamp.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the yellow at the top of the new lamp!
This is fabulous! Hmmm did you see those mercury glass bottles at Hobby Lobby? I think you have given me an idea :)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Love the shape!
ReplyDeleteYour lamp has a lot more character with the special patina and cork, than the ones at Pottery Barn. Love how it turned out for you!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Great idea! I noticed that lamp yesterday but didn't know the history of it. I've never made my own lamp before. Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you actually got the bottle that clean. It was a mess wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove it! I never thought about what was underneath all those wicker casings!
ReplyDeleteKi
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing transformation!
I have a green wine bottle I should
turn into a lamp.
Thanks for the tip about the denture tablets.
turned out beautifully, and thanks for the cleaning tip about denture tablets!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful - patina and all.
ReplyDeleteAnd I so happen to have a Demi John that I didn't know where to put. Hmmmm, now you have me thinking :)
ReplyDeleteLove this Kim. Great transformation it looks great. Who knew about denture tablets?!!! Great tip thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKris
You are ingenious!! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow that made a gorgeous lamp. The patina from the wine and the old cork make it perfect and that gorgeous shade doesn't hurt either.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Kim...and it's nice that it's a wonderful old bottle, too!
ReplyDeleteLooks great... and much better than the expensive PB one!
ReplyDeleteLove it - I am impressed with your skills!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
Very cool. We are home winemakers this I find this to be awesome. According to the terminology used now that is a carboy demijohns have a different shape (here is a picture http://www.midwestsupplies.com/15-gallon-glass-demi-john.html). Some of the antique demijohns are really cool looking.
ReplyDeleteourwolfden, I have several vintage demijohns and according to wikipedia carboy and demijohn are the same thing.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful Kim!!! And I love that there is still some patina on it. Well done! :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Very cool Kim, and I love that the cork was still there!
ReplyDeleteKim, congrats on the house tour and I love how the lamp turned out. Thanks for sharing and have a blessed day! :-)
ReplyDeleteLuved the house tour :-) Congratulations on the feature!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome lamp... and I especially luv the little cork still in there :-)
Hugs, Gee
Love your lamp! The old cork inside is great.
ReplyDeleteKim, I love this! It looks fabulous! Thanks for the harp tip, I was wondering about that myself.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you have a great week!
I love this! I like yours better than the Pottery Barn one!
ReplyDeleteI love how big it is. I see that the wire is on the outside, which makes it easier to convert it into a lamp, instead of messing with drilling holes in the glass. I bet the glass looks really cool at night
ReplyDeleteI could never have seen past that grunge, but you made it look fabulous. Going to hope over and see your home tour.
ReplyDeleteDenture tablets??? Who knew!?! The lamp looks amazing and I think the patina makes it even better than the PB ones. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me! I have a large pottery jar with a small opening like that and I could turn it into a lamp too! I LOVE yours and you sure saved some $$$$$!!!! Now, where did you get the olive basket? I love IT too:) have a great wekend, Kim.
ReplyDeleteLove your lamp...it turned out great!!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
OMYGOSH, the courage you show, cutting OFF that beautiful wicker. I know I could never do it.
ReplyDeleteYour lamp looks really nice and if I can ever get the courage, I might try for a pretty lamp like this....
Now, however, I am thinking I might make a lamp out of my large demijohn, leaving the wicker intact.... and add a french shade....hmmmm....thanks for the inspiration.
Yes, I would have had a hard time removing the wicker, but the end result was great! I tried to use the lamp kit from Lowe's, but my bottle opening was too large for it...at least according to Mr. Wonderful. I'm going to try another option. Sure beats PB!
ReplyDeleteI love that you kept some of the "patina" and left the wine cork in the bottom. This lamp not only is pretty but it has character!
ReplyDeleteMarie@InteriorFrugalista
Great job.....great lamp...and yes, you need more lamps...ha!
ReplyDeleteomG Kim! This lamp-fiend is totally in LUV!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Love it - it looks great!!!! I would have taken the wicker off as well since the bottom was all beaten up. Love your great ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool bottle! Who knew that was hiding underneath that wicker.And I agree....cool patina!
ReplyDeletexx
Anne
Love this re-furb! I featured this in a roundup of awesome lamp DIYs from September on my blog. You should definitely try your hand at making more lamps, you definitely have a knack for it!
ReplyDeleteThe lamp looks great. Nickel lamp parts and silver lamp wire are a great complement to clear glass lamps.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an older post but I have this exact thing and am failing! The kit stopper is too small, I see something blue in the neck around the white stopper from the kit. Is that how it fits? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is blue tape. The opening was too big for the kit so we wrapped tape to help hold it.
DeleteThanks so much! Turns out the kit is for a harp style, I bought the harp like you said. But my lamp shade doesn't need a harp it just sits on top, so....I'm either going to return the shade or attempt another method. Appreciate the post!!
ReplyDelete