I believe most people are intimidated by the idea of rewiring anything . . . but the idea of resurrecting a vintage lamp is almost irresistible. How many lamps have I bought thinking I would redo it and love it. Well, for every 4 lamps I bought, maybe one made the cut to landing a bulb in it's socket and sitting on a side table. We convince ourselves we will do it. If I don't seize the project within a week of my purchase, that moment of enthusiasm wanes drastically and it ends up an afterthought in the back of my barn. I hate when I do that, but I truly go in with the spirit of "doing". Good intentions mean nothing without the doing. I wish I had 50 cents for every dollar I spent on good intentions! I'd be independently wealthy! Personally, I am not afraid of wiring because I feel some lamps with hinky cords could do a lot more damage by plugging them in than me rewiring them. If you feel uncomfortable doing electrical, don't do it, leave it to someone who knows what they are doing.
I started years ago by adding extension cords to chandeliers. I cut the female end (the side you plug the light into) off the extension cord, melt the plastic coating with a lighter - just enough to soften it, stretch it and pull it off the wires. Connect the wires to the existing wires of the lamp or chandelier by twisting them together. I would wrap it with that black electrical tape and wonder how I was going to get around looking at that. There was always some chain involved but that ugly tape would stare at me, mock me and totally distract me from the mission - THE LIGHT WORKING.
I started years ago by adding extension cords to chandeliers. I cut the female end (the side you plug the light into) off the extension cord, melt the plastic coating with a lighter - just enough to soften it, stretch it and pull it off the wires. Connect the wires to the existing wires of the lamp or chandelier by twisting them together. I would wrap it with that black electrical tape and wonder how I was going to get around looking at that. There was always some chain involved but that ugly tape would stare at me, mock me and totally distract me from the mission - THE LIGHT WORKING.
As my experiences have evolved, I use the electrical caps to twist the wires together and feel much safer covering up any unsightly connections with a fabric sleeve made for such things. Shoot, you can buy those anywhere
these days. I bought a pennant light with three drops on it. I wired it to an extension cord with a switch, but I have not used it because even with 25 watt, soft bulbs, I feel like it is too much light for me. I unscrewed two of the bulbs and now, I am not even using the darned thing. The best idea gone to waste again. Bleck!
My best friend who lives in North Carolina - has the best form of escape that I just don't have time for. She wanders around Lowe's Home Improvement looking at everything. She worked in the electrical field for years and is drawn to anything having to do with lighting and plugged-in gadgets. Okay, I like to think of myself as being design privy, but I had not heard about this - am I still in the "dark ages"? It is an extension cord you plug your lights into, with a switch to dim any light at will. Well, just slap me please. This will be the cure to many of my lighting woes. Saved again, by a friend who enlightens me - and in this instance - I mean it!
these days. I bought a pennant light with three drops on it. I wired it to an extension cord with a switch, but I have not used it because even with 25 watt, soft bulbs, I feel like it is too much light for me. I unscrewed two of the bulbs and now, I am not even using the darned thing. The best idea gone to waste again. Bleck!
My best friend who lives in North Carolina - has the best form of escape that I just don't have time for. She wanders around Lowe's Home Improvement looking at everything. She worked in the electrical field for years and is drawn to anything having to do with lighting and plugged-in gadgets. Okay, I like to think of myself as being design privy, but I had not heard about this - am I still in the "dark ages"? It is an extension cord you plug your lights into, with a switch to dim any light at will. Well, just slap me please. This will be the cure to many of my lighting woes. Saved again, by a friend who enlightens me - and in this instance - I mean it!
I am giddy about the idea of putting this on all my lights. An investment that will not be a 50 cents on the dollar return. I don't believe I can take a photo to truly exhibit the difference in the lighting success.
Oh, next time you wander around Lowe's, let me know if you find anything cool I need to know about ... I am feeling out of the loop. Hmmm, or I could give myself some time to wander... A trip to Lowe's Home Improvement will do all of us some good! The possibilities are endless in there.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_13900-539-TTCL-100LH-WH_0__?Ntt=lutron+dimmer+cord++13900&UserSearch=lutron+dimmer+cord++13900&productId=3274877&rpp=16
Oh, next time you wander around Lowe's, let me know if you find anything cool I need to know about ... I am feeling out of the loop. Hmmm, or I could give myself some time to wander... A trip to Lowe's Home Improvement will do all of us some good! The possibilities are endless in there.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_13900-539-TTCL-100LH-WH_0__?Ntt=lutron+dimmer+cord++13900&UserSearch=lutron+dimmer+cord++13900&productId=3274877&rpp=16
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