I've been in the mountains during this latest phase of the cabin renovation and since there is so much of the cabin I haven't shared with you, I wanted to start with this antique lamp.  In the cabin there are two bedrooms; one with three twin beds and one with a queen bed.  When this phase of the renovation is complete there will also be a master bedroom.

While searching for cabin furnishings I wanted to find things that were rustic and with character, so I was happy to find this antique kerosene oil tank turned into a lamp.

The Collected Cabin

The current remodel work here at the mountain cabin is taking a l-o-n-g time.  This phase is the last of the interior spaces to be done and once finished we will have a master bedroom, master bathroom and laundry area. The end of June our contractor committed to having this complete within four weeks, so I committed to being here full-time ... but they didn't get it finished.  Never ending!

Even though the dining room and most every corner of the cabin has been filled with beds, end tables, dressers, and other things for the new areas, I've been adding touches of fall.  I was enjoying the soft glow of the morning sun streaming in through the window, so I snapped these pictures.  

Two Treasures ~ An Outing with Mom

Mom and I try to spend at least one day a week with each other.  We'll go to lunch, then shopping or to the grocery store, or whatever we feel like doing on any given day.  We usually come up with our plan while eating our lunch.  

On this day after lunch, we found ourselves at a resale shop and this is how the story goes...

Antiques & Ironstone Finds

While visiting my sister on the farm 

we decided to take a trip to town for a little antique shopping.

I have been searching for a little something for display on the kitchen island and this antique scale with brass bowls will be perfect.

I have already polished the bowl on the right

and once I regain the strength in my arm (it took a long time!) I will do the other one...

LAMP REWIRE ~ For Safety’s Sake!

When out antiquing I always keep my eyes open for lamps.

This alabaster lamp is one of my recent finds but it didn't come with a shade.
I searched for a good while and finally found this crewel lampshade at TJ Maxx.
I think it's perfect!

I had been searching for an alabaster lamp for a while,
but they usually have a price tag that is higher than I am willing to pay.
When I found this one with flower details cut into the marble,
and at a reasonable price...I jumped on it!

The finial is unique...




and has quite a few parts.

This ceramic lamp was also purchased without a shade.
I am still searching for one but with no luck so far, this one will have to do for now…

I really liked the shape, crackle finish, and it also has a unique finial...

Old lamps have many great qualities but often the electrical cords and sockets are scary!
This was the plug on the alabaster lamp…

And this was the plug on the crackle finish lamp…

and the sockets were full of dust and dirt…

Rewiring these lamps has been on my to-do list for a LONG time,
and I have been leaving them unplugged ~ for safety’s sake.

So I got busy and rewired them, starting with the crackle lamp.

First I removed the felt bottom…

Then loosened the bolt on the bottom…

 

Once the bolt was loosened all the lamp parts began to separate into different sections…

None of the electrical parts could be reused, so I cut the cord…

You’ll notice there are no UL markings on the old socket because it is OLD…

I purchased a complete lamp rewire kit from Lowes…

It has the UL listing…

First I inserted the wires into the side of the lamp base…

and then fed the wires through the metal tubing that goes up through the lamp to stabilize all the lamp pieces…

the metal tubing was then fed up through each part of the lamp…

once the wire and tubing was up through the top section of the lamp…

the harp bottom was then placed on the metal tubing at the top of the lamp…

the bottom part of the socket was placed on top of the harp bottom
and screwed tightly to the metal tubing which tightens all the parts of the lamp back together again....

Using a wire cutter to remove approximately an inch of the insulation from each wire,
I then tied the split cords into a underwriter's knot …

Then I connected the wires by using a screw driver to loosen the screws on either side of the new socket,
wrapped each exposed wire around one screw on the socket (one is gold and one is silver),
and then use the screwdriver to tighten the screws to hold the wires in place.

 


Attached the top of the socket housing…

 

Tightened the screw on the socket…

Attached the harp and then added a light bulb…

 

Placed the pretty shade on top so I could plug her in!

It really felt good throwing those old cords and sockets in the trash.
Now I can leave these lamps plugged in without worrying.

Have any old lamps that need rewiring?  It's easy-peasy!

I have lots of lamps, here's a peek at Little Lamps that Light the Way.

Blessings,

Cindy

Hop over every Monday for…AMAZE ME MONDAY!

Little Lamps to Light the Way

It's all about Lamps...

These little lamps are always kept on for a bit of light along the way,
which is especially nice at night...

This little silver lamp sits on top of our television in the den.  I found it at an antique store and thought it was a deal for only $13...

There is a little brass candlelight which is tucked behind the Rooster which lights up this part of the kitchen.

On a little desk in one of the downstairs hallways is a little blue & white lamp.

This lamp adds a nice touch to the counter in the downstairs guest bathroom.

A candle light adds a warm glow on this bookshelf.

The 6 watt bulb adds just the right amount of light to brighten this spot.

On the hall tree in the front foyer sits this lamp

so anytime we head downstairs there is a soft glow to light our way.

Thanks so much for visiting, hope you'll leave a comment so I'll know you did!

Blessings,

Cindy

Hop over every Monday for…AMAZE ME MONDAY!