The last few weeks have been difficult. My Dad’s Alzheimer’s has progressed and he’s in the hospital. We’ve been spending a lot of time with him while the doctors are working on regulating his medications. He seems to be having a few more ‘better’ days, but for all of you familiar with Alzheimers (and I know many of you are or know of someone who is), it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see a loved one with this disease.
To take my mind off things, I’ve been working on smaller projects between visiting Dad. I’m looking forward to sharing this diy cage light with you today. Also, writing this post is kind of therapeutic for me. It gives me a chance to reach out to you all and keep my mind focused on something other than worry. So, thanks for reading and being here with me today.
If you’re into industrial cage lights, here’s a fast restyle and a vintage spin on a stand up version. There’s a lot of inexpensive old floor lamps available at thrift stores and yard sales, so using one of these stands and replacing the shade with a cage is easy to do. Here’s the lamp I started with. I’ve had this lamp for over 15 years and it was collecting dust hiding in this sad corner.
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE To revamp, I sprayed the base with this 2 in 1 flat black spray paint.
A variety of shapes and styles (for a cage light shade) can be purchased at Amazon, Home Depot or Lowe’s. HomeSense, Target and other stores carry a variety of cage accessories too.
The old fashion Edison Light Bulbs can also be purchased at any of the above locations. Once the lamp was painted, I swapped out the shade and light bulb and I’m loving the new look. The best part – it’s a salvaged original!
A few more bedroom updates – I picked up a couple of plants from Ikea to add some ‘real’ greenery to the room. My green-thumb has been in hiatus for the last few years but I’m ready to give it another go. Do you remember this black washed table that I stained with paint for my living room? It’s now a plant stand in the opposite corner of the vintage cage light. I also added an old world clock with large numbers for contrast.
And check out this bench at the bottom of the bed. It was curb-shopped a few years back and it’s been sitting in my inventory. It cleaned up beautifully and looks great at the bottom of the bed. I love the curved lines and design with the warm wood and textured seating.
This diy cage floor lamp project costs under $20 and takes all of 15 minutes minus the dry time. I really like that it’s a one-of-a-kind salvaged original for my bedroom.
Previous Bedroom Makeover Projects ::
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How To Add Wallpaper To Furniture
What do you think of this diy vintage cage light? Chime in because I always love hearing from you!
Denise xo
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Made a similar cage lamp with the Edison bulb but to hang on the wall. Love it. Never would have thought to use a floor lamp. Yours is lovely as is your bedroom. Watching elderly parents deteriorate hurts the heart. My parents live upstairs and my mother (85) is showing steady signs of deterioration. Sometimes I cry for her; most times I pray. Will add you and your father to my prayers.
Thanks, Barb! Glad you like the floor lamp and the bedroom makeover. It’s slow going but getting there. And yes, as for aging parents it can be heartbreaking. Medical advances have enabled us to have a longer life, but in many cases, that doesn’t equal the best quality of life. I’ll be including your mother in my prayers too. She’s very lucky to have a such a caring loving daughter. <3
Hi Denise, Your bedroom is looking beautiful and the caged lamp is a really nice touch!
There’s no better thing you can do than spend time with your Dad. He might not always remember who you are but he does know that you make him feel loved. Your journey together is a difficult one and I hope you find strength and peace along the way <3
Hi Annie!!! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. <3
Hi Denise,
I’ve recently found your blog and am really enjoying the inspiration your creativity gives me! I am also a lover of all things thrifty and repurposing. My dad is also on a slow decline but due to a rare cancer. Having an outlet helps give our hurting hearts a break for a time so we can come back renewed. I’ll share some of my work with you some day too and maybe you can give me some pointers. 🙂 Just picked up almost $300 worth of discarded items after the flea market left town. Can’t wait to get started!!! My husband rolls his eyes at me but I love it. They all have a story and my job is to help them live on to tell it. Take care. You and your dad are in my prayers.
Hi Jen… welcome! I’m so glad you’ve found my little corner of the internet – and that a few my diy projects are sparking some ideas. So sorry to hear about your Dad. I can relate to the hurting heart. You couldn’t have phrased that more beautifully. I hope your $300 worth of upcoming restyles (wow – lucky girl!) helps you find some peace in between the worry. Wishing you and your family all the best. Hope to chat again soon. xo
Loving this little project! I have an old lamp stand and this will be perfect! Prayers for you and your Dad! That is such a devastating disease! Take care!
Thank you Sharon. Xo And I’m so glad you like the cage lamp might give it a try!
Just want to say I love the light. I manage a dementia area and certainly understand how projects help with the stress of having a loved one with Alzheimers. My prayers for you to remain strong and know you are not alone in this struggle. God bless you and your father. Thanks also for sharing your journey with others.
Thanks for this Vickie. And I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work you do! I’ve been watching how the health care providers/staff care and interact with Dad and other Alzheimer’s patients. Those of you who are trained in this field do such an amazing job…even in challenging situations, so thank YOU. Xo
Love these little projects, they can be so theraputic & they look GREAT.
Take care of yourself hon. Love and strength to you and your dad xoxo
Thanks Chez. And yeah, I have to keep myself busy with something so these smaller projects are great. I hope you’re doing well. xoxo
Denise, from one daughter with a parent suffering from Alzheimer’s to another, I am sending hugs your way! I know how difficult this is for you and I understand how therapeutic spending time creatively can be. I LOVE your DIY Cage Light! I’d like to make something similar for my son’s home. Pinned to share and for inspiration. xo
Thanks Marie. I actually thought of you the other day and almost emailed you – but then felt uncomfortable. I hope you’re Mum is doing well. And so glad you like the cage light…very quick and easy project. Thanks for the share. xo
Was wondering if you were attending to family care when I started to miss your posts. Glad you are taking the time needed for family priorities. Thinking of you & hoping you get all the help you need. As to your post, beautiful makeover on the lamp, addition pf table & bench. The room is gorgeous & should be in a magazine.
You just put a smile on my face Tracy. It’s comforting to know that when I’m MIA, it’s noticed. xoxo And such a great compliment that you think the room is magazine worthy! Thank you! <3
Hi Denise,
Love all your work. The light came out great.
The room looks beautiful.
Thinking of you and your family.
Thanks so much Maryann. <3
Denise, my Dad who is 89 just got out of hospital so I can really relate to your worry. I am sending warm thoughts your way and I love your cage lamp! I’m glad it helped ease your mind. All the best!
Thank you Lee. My Dad is 84. It’s so difficult when an elderly parent (or any loved one) is hospitalized. I hope your Dad is feeling much better. And thanks, glad you like the that cage lamp. x
Wow! Thank you for the fantastic idea and timing could not be better! Was very close to getting rid of an outdated floor lamp. Know exactly what to do with it now!! Thoughts and prayers for your Dad and your family. It is a very tough journey. One that our family is traveling.
I’m glad it’s sparked some ideas. I’m sending well wishes and prayers to you and your family as well Laurie. xo
Such a cool light! Love everything you do, Denise. That bench is awesome! So sorry to hear about your dad. Prayers to you!!
Thanks Kellee. xo And I love this bench too. It was such a GREAT find and I’m so glad I held onto it until I found the perfect spot.
Love this lamp, Denise! So clever and looks amazing. I’m going to be looking for lamps to transform now. So sorry for what you and your family are going through. I can only imagine how hard it is. Sending you hugs and wishes for strength and a peaceful heart. Take good care of yourself.
Thanks for your hugs and well wishes Marcia. xoxo And, so glad you like the lamp idea.
Denise – I love the updated industrial look to this light! Great job. The bulb is super cool.
Do you find that you need to cover spray paint with an extra coating of something?
I have spray painted a few things lately, and the paint just rubs off after usage.
Do you have ideas for that? thanks
The bench at the bottom of the bed is lovely 🙂
I really like these old fashion edison bulbs too! I think they look great in industrial cage lamps. As for the paint rubbing off… hmmmm, I usually don’t topcoat when I use brandname spray paint. And I haven’t had the problem of it rubbing off. A few ideas – maybe try the 2 in 1 primer brand or possibly a light sanding before spraying. the only other thing I can think of is maybe the project had residue/oils that TSP or water vinegar could clean ???? Glad you like the bench too. 🙂
First and foremost, sending prayers and loving thoughts your way. I’m sure your work is very therapeutic and good for the soul, not to mention sanity. Thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for your kindness and prayers Cheryl. And yeah, I couldn’t agree more. The projects are smaller but it IS therapeutic. Keeps my mind off things. xo