Make This $320 Rainbow Statement Lamp for $25
I don’t know what it is about funky statement lamps, but I can’t get enough of them. During a recent internet black hole I discovered Erin Smith’s Noodly Lamps, and now I’m OBSESSED. Unfortunately, the color I wanted is sold out. If you’re facing the same problem, or simply can’t fork over the $320 that this bad boy will set you back, I’ve got a DIY that will deliver the same wiggly goodness at a fraction of the price.
Erin Smith’s Noodly Lamp in Multi White is the stuff that candy-coated dreams are made of. Fun fact: “Noodly” also happens to be my favorite word to use to describe myself.
The best part about this project? All of these items are readily available at your local hardware store!
Materials and Tools:
- lamp cord (without a switch so that you can slide PVC pipes onto the cord)
- PVC cement
- light bulb
- PVC pipe (we used pipes with 1.5-inch openings)
- paintbrush
***Be sure to wear a dust mask while using PVC cement and work in a well-ventilated space. Wearing a respirator is even better.
String your first two PVC pipes onto the lamp cord.
Apply a liberal amount of PVC cement along the rim of the first PVC pipe.
Push the two ends of the pipes you’re connecting together and hold for at least 15 seconds. The PVC cement should work almost instantly.
Repeat these steps with your remaining pipes or until you’ve reached your desired length. I really took the “noodly” descriptor to heart and connected the pipes at all sorts of different angles. Make sure to check that your lamp sits on a flat surface while working!
Apply some PVC cement to the seam of the bulb socket and the first PVC pipe to secure everything in place. Allow your piece to dry for about 30 minutes before painting it.
I chose three colors to work with, and white for blending. Begin by applying color blocks of each color onto the lamp.
Then go back between the colors with a clean brush and blend the two colors together while the paint is still wet. It’s a little tricky at first, but you need to apply a few layers of paint, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice. I applied about three layers of paint to cover the markings on the PVC pipe. Allow the paint to dry completely (about one hour).
Screw your light bulb in. We chose a globe bulb.
There it is! In all of its noodly glory.
It’s bound to match all of the random knickknacks that live on your desk.
The future looks bright for your new wormy companion.
PSST… I recommend heart-shaped sunnies for this project, because IT’S (quite literally) LIT.
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DIY Production and Styling: Marianne Koo
Photography: Chris Andre