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This “Contemporary Farmhouse Dining Room” has been one of my favorite spaces to work on.  Besides the actual design, this family was such a joy to work for.  One of the more unique pieces in the room were the lamps that we created from old tractor axles.  You can see them on the buffet below.

Natalie actually already had these axles (and was using them as vases) when I met with her about designing her dining room.  This is how they looked before we modified them to be lamps. . .

The only thing about this project that was not super duper easy was getting the bracket welded into the top of the axle.  The average homeowner doesn’t have the experience or materials to do this, but a welder can permanently place the bracket in few minutes with no problem  If you don’t have a welder friend, just google a local sheet metal shop and they should be able to help you.

Once the bracket is in place, everything you need to complete the project will be in a lamp making kit, which you can buy at any hardware store. Depending on the shade you want to use, you may also want to buy a lamp harp.

First, you simply thread the cord up through the bottom of the lamp and through the welded bracket as well.

Next, you thread the wire through the threaded nipple (screw the the harp holder, acorn nut, and bottom half of the lamp socket onto the nipple before sending the wire through it).

Once the wire is through the nipple, screw the nipple into the welded bracket.  Next, tie a knot in the wire to make sure it can’t fall down back through the nipple.

Now it’s time to attach the wire to the socket.  Simply loosen the two screws enough to hook the exposed wire around the back of them and then tighten the screws back down.

Place the gold socket cover over the exposed socket and push down into the bottom gold piece. It should almost click into place.  If necessary, you can add your lamp harp at this point.

Last, put your shade in place and plug in your new light fixture!

You can make lamps out of all sorts of items.  Your imagination is really your only limitation!  I love the character that these tractor axle lamps bring into the space.  Because Garth (the husband) grew up on a farm, the lights also celebrate this family’s story!  Gotta love that!

See you back here tomorrow!