Map lamp how-to

That was a lovely weekend, almost a mini vacation  after a 183 posts almost back to back :)

 

Here it is, by popular demand. Well, a couple of you wanted to know... and of course I'll do anything for you Ali. Ali by blogging one of my photos back in December 07 has yielded so much traffic to my Fickr page. Thank you!

 

Ok, to make a map lamp this is what you need: A lamp shade. For this small one I used a white lamp shade I had already. The one in Wille's room used to be covered in striped fabric but I tore that off and removed the glue residue with glue remover. Stinky! You'll want something similar to a cutting board, permanent spray adhesive, an exacto knife an of course your map of choice. Martin chose Stockholm for this one while the one in Wille's room is Barcelona.

 

This lamp shade is great because it has a ribbon edge and that will help you get a neat finish. The one in Wille's room didn't have that so there I had to be extra careful to cut it straight and glue it on straight too. Measure between the edges...

 

...and cut a long strip that covers the shade and then some. For Wille's I had to paste two together overlapping slightly. Then measure by holding the map strip around the map, make a mark and cut.

Spray permanent spray adhesive onto the back of the map (I do this outdoors) and affix to the shade  smoothing out any air bubbles with hands. 

 

Here's what the shade looks like unlit...

 

...and here lit. If you don't want the double map effect that you're going to get because bought tourist and road maps almost always have print on both sides you can probably color copy the map onto white paper first and glue that to the shade instead. I kind of like this effect tough.

I know there are bound to be some concerns regarding the safety of these lamps and I want to point out that I wouldn't do anything that would harm anyone, much less my own family. The lamp I made for Wille has been lit daily (nightly) since April without any problems what so ever. I use low watt bulbs and using a proper lamp shade underneath made out of lamp shade material makes me feel safe. If you have any concerns whatsoever though, stick to store bought shades and don't try this at home. Thanks!

Comments

[Karin]

Fab!
What's that box next to the lampshade with the letter W on it? Is that simply a box that you covered with a map to complete the map theme in Wille's room or was it originally map-wrapped? Mind sharing with us?

[Benita]

Karin, it's a box I covered in a map remnant. It's not normally in Wille's room, it's sitting on a shelf in the laundry room which is where we keep the rest of our map collection, besides of the stuff in Wille's room. Yes, we are mapoholics :)

[Lesley]

wow i love this!! i am hunting out maps we have as soon as i finished this comment!!
inspiring as usual thank you
Lesley x

[Petra from the Netherlands]

Good to hear you enjoyed your free weekend!

I like that box as well! We will organize our 'travelgear' later this year, meaning suitcases, bags and such as well as travel-size toiletries, and then also our Lonely Planet books, and the different maps. I will definitely keep this in mind....

[paula]

so excited to try this in my boys room! thanks

[johanna]

du är så piffig och bra och jag är så dålig på att kommentera men jag läser alla inlägg med glädje.

[Rachel]

What a fabulous project, I'll be linking. The url to this post cracks me up!

[Benita]

Rachel, I know and I can't change it :)
Apparently the first thing you write and then press save is what you get as the URL... I copied a note in the post of a comment I'd received so I'd remember. I'll remember to name first thing in the future. You should se my stats list. Crazy :)

[Ali]

Oh man, I love you Benita :). Thank you! I think I will try this for Simon.

[Benita]

Ali, likewise :)

[Danette]

I love it. Thanks for the how-to.

[Adriana Pinheiro]

Love the lamp shades! Will try to make one for my home, which, by the way, is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. :)

[Kat]

I'm a big fan of using map imagery in decor. This is lovely!

[Mothersvea]

that's sucha a sweet idea!

[Eugénie]

Hello Benita ! I made the lamp this afternoon, I'm so proud of it !
I choose a part of my old world map (which was in my kitchen when I lived in Finland) from Greenland to Russia.
Thanks so much for this brilliant idea...

http://kanelisokeri.tumblr.com/post/66256683/aujourdhui-apart-tudier-le-syt-me-ducatif-avec

[Carlos]

Great Eugènie! Love the Jyväskylä marker :)

[wall art work]

Very smart you are :)

[Ségolène]

Hello!
I've juste found your blog, and that's funny because a few weeks ago I made a map lamp! Here is the link to my blog, if you want to take a look: http://talonsaiguillesetvieillesdentelles.blogspot.com/2010/07/maps.html

[Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage]

OMG I am in love!! Visiting from Kimbas party! This is ah-mazing!! :)

[Anu@MyDreamCanvas]

Lovely blog, hope to see you at My Dream Canvas!

[Mike]

Omg thank you so much for this. I broke my lamp shade by stepping on it and was going to buy a new shade at my local store. Now seeing this guide I'm going to make my own and to tell you the truth. The one you made in this guide is way nicer then the ones you can buy in stores. I love how the lamp shade is a map.

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