Dorsey Designs

DIY and Interiors by Sarah + David

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DIY Gold Geometric Lamp | Tutorial

When I first saw Land of Nod’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place lamp, I instantly pinned it and put it on my wish list. 
What’s not to love!? It’s shiny (the facets amplify the gorgeousness), it’s interesting – making a statement, but not over the top, and the size is perfect for a dresser or desk. 
At $79, it’s not too expensive, but after mentioning DIYing it to David and getting him on board, we decided to go for it.
We were able to make each base for about $11.50!
Here’s how we did it. 
First, David did a little research and we found out that the shape (12 sided pentagon) is called a dodecahedron. Then after a little more googling and brainstorming, he determined what angles would be needed (see diagrams below). Math is definitely not my strong suit .. so I’m glad that it is David’s 🙂
The angles were pretty tricky to figure out (probably took about an afternoon), but there here in case you’d like to try it 🙂
Materials for 2 lamps:

1/2 sheet of 1/4″ MDF (enough for two lamps)
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Lamp Socket x2
Wire (we used an extension cord x2 and cut off the end)
Primer/Paint
1/2″ Copper Pipe (3″ section per lamp)
Threaded Lamp Rod
Nuts
Miter Saw
Sandpaper

First, David cut 24 – 6″ squares (12 per lamp) out of the 1/4″ MDF.  If you don’t have a table saw or sliding miter saw, have it cut into 6” strips at the hardware store.  

1. Using a miter saw, set the bevel (blade tilt) to 31.7° and the miter angle to 18°. 
2.  Put a piece of tape or draw a pencil line on the miter saw fence 3-3/8” (this measurement was determined from scale that we wanted, feel free to adjust) from the blade. The mark will be used to line up all of the pentagon cuts to ensure that all of the sides are equal. 
3. Make the first cut holding the 6” square straight on the fence. Rotate the piece so the cut edge is against the fence to make the second cut. Now that one of the angles is finished, line up the angle with the mark at 3-3/8” and make the third cut. Continue rotating and lining up the angle with the mark for the 4th and 5th cuts.
4. Finally, drill holes for the lamp assembly and the wire. Per lamp, drill a hole in the bottom side of one piece for the wire to exit the base and drill a 3/8” hole in the center of another for the threaded lamp rod to penetrate the top.

After cutting one, we then traced the pentagon on remaining 23 MDF squares.

After David cut out all of the pentagons, we started assembling. Ideally we would have made a jig as a guide, but since we were only making two, we glued, held in place till the glue set and then taped to help hold it in place. It worked surprisingly well! ** The final lower pentagon and top pentagon had predrilled holes for the wire and lamp assembly. Don’t glue it all without those important holes! **

Prior to attaching the final pentagon on the top, we glued extra MDF to the bottom to give it a little extra weight. Then we attached the threaded rod to the top pentagon with a nut and ran the wire through the bottom hole and through the threaded rod. To finish the lamp base, we then glued the top pentagon on.

Since it’s difficult to get the angle exact every time, we filled in the little crevices with wood filler (sanding smooth, once dry).

Next, we taped up the cord, primed and then painted with Rustoleum gold (apply in thin coats to make sure that it didn’t drip). About three thin coats.

They got a little scratched while moving them to our new house, so I sanded and put another top coat on. Then I applied Rustoleum Triple Thick Glaze, trying to get an even coat, I applied it too heavily and got some drips. SO I sanded and repainted again ..

The gold spray paint easily takes fingerprints, so I would recommend using a clear coat THINLY. I’ll be applying one once the weather cooperates with me 🙂

The shades are from Target

Stencil available in my Etsy shop.

The elephant was a thrift store find. I picked up the orchid from Home Depot for $5 and the pot from Goodwill.

Total Cost:

1/2 sheet 1/4″ MDF $6
Lamp Socket and Wire (extension cord with end cut off) $14
Spray Paint $3
Threaded rod, primer and copper pipe on hand

$23, $11.50 per lamp base. Not bad!

I’m so glad that we tried DIYing before buying! Though I think the real thing would definitely we worth it if you don’t have a miter saw.

What do you think, would you give it a try?

—

P.S. Have you entered for a chance to win Delta Faucet’s New Year, New Room Bathroom Makeover contest? It includes Delta bathroom fixtures, a $3,500 Lowes giftcard, a design consultation from ME and MORE!! If not, enter HERE!!

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Comments

  2. This is stunning! Tell David great job on all those angled cuts and brain sweat figuring out the math. I'm amazed that it stayed together so well during glue up without a jig and just a little tape. Pinning this for a future bedroom makeover.

    Reply

  5. The math skills are impressive. The lamps are gorgeous! I was thinking…..you could make a business out of selling the parts as kits. Many DIY'ers might be willing to make it, if it weren't for the math issues.

    Reply

  27. oh love this!!! i was just thinking about doing this the other day but didn't want to sit down to figure out the math lol! so thank you so much for furthering my laziness :). these will be perfect for in my living room im working on! yeah

    Reply

  33. I fell in love with the lamp and got it for my living room. I had to return it because it looked and felt "cheap" to me. I still think I would have kept it for a kids room but I just didn't love it for my living room. I'm sure yours are WAY better the the inspiration one. Amazing work!!!

    Reply

  35. Sarah… I am just simply OBSESSED with you right now! Love the DIY, love the chair {sorry am catching up on my comments} and thank you so much for a tutorial! The hubs is excited to try this… will give you credit of course when I am done! You are brilliant!

    Reply

  42. I'm seriously BLOWN away! This is a DIY project that will go down in history! And your tutorial is so good, I might get brave enough to try it myself! Beautiful project and stunning photos. I have that same little pot that your orchid is in, picked mine up at Goodwill too, and I love it! Bravo to your creativity and skills!

    Reply

  49. Just came across this DIY lamp on Pinterest, Sarah! What an incredible project – super impressed. I just finished a project with hexagons, which the angle was torturous after a while, so I might wait a while to try something like this, lol. Great job though! xo Jenna

    Reply

  50. Ahh! That screen saver on the laptop! What is it?! I've been looking all over for a couple years. Great job on the project! Looks great.

    Reply

  53. I can't get enough of your projects. I want to do every one. I mean really, wow. It's not often that I follow a blogger and she doesn't get so big and all of a sudden she's not doing what made her so amazing or, she's spending three times what she used to and saying ," and it was so inexpensive". You guys have remained true to your mission and faithful to your followers. Don't ever forget HOW VERY MUCH WE ARE TOTALLY INSPIRED BY YOU. I've been ill and had to be at home. You've given me something to do that also allows me to feel good about myself. I'll never be able to say thank you enough.

    Reply

  54. Sorry I forgot to sign name, and to say congrats on all of your recent awards and accomplishments. Boy do you deserve them. The comment above is mine also karen

    Reply

  59. These are beautiful! I saw the lamps you made with mat board, and the comment that you thought these could also be made with mat board. What template would you suggesting using when drawing the shape onto the mat board, and how much mat board do you think would be necessary to make these two lamps? Thanks – these lamps are inspirational!

    Reply

  60. Wow! Don't know how I missed these beauties, but I am just now seeing them. We are between houses now, while awaiting the building of or new one, so I am without a workshop. I fully intend to make these once the dust settles at the new place, & use them on a sofa table. Stunningly gorgeous! I have one question… The picture showing the angles to cut, shows "31.7° & 108°", but the written directions say "18°". I am a visual learner, & too lazy to think this through. Could you please let me know which number is correct? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Thanks Laura! 🙂 The bevel (blade tilt) to 31.7° and the miter angle to 18° (108 isn't something that you set, it's the angle created because 108 – 18 = 90 on the saw – shows zero on the saw) hope this helps!

      Reply

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