Making a lamp out of a flea market find

Using an antique glass vessel for a chic table lamp.

So much is made these days about "Green Design", and I think that there is a lot to it. I totally believe in trying not to squander resources and shopping smart from companies that do not damage the environment. Having said that, we are in a very glamorous industry that, almost by definition is preoccupied with visuals. One way that I have found that serves both purposes is the idea of adaptive reuse, finding things that were made for one purpose, but no longer are useful, and reusing for a whole separate idea. In the image above you can see the yellow lamp on the right. I found this in an old flea market, being sold with a lot of other old glass containers. It used to be used for some industrial purpose, but with a little imagination, it makes a great lamp. Also, for the shade, at a different market I found an old silk sari from India, that was totally worn out and useless, but it was perfect for the lining of the shade. Even the coffee table is made from reclaimed wood.

This kind of imaginative use will go a long way to making the world a better place, and a prettier one too. Here are some thoughts for your own projects:

• Almost any old, interesting object makes for a great lamp, I have used, old toys, pulleys as well as all sorts of old industrial glassware.

• If you are at a loss how to adopt your idea into an illuminating project, take your pieces down to your local lighting store, you might be surprised how quickly your idea is embraced by the people there

• Old recycled materials, such as wood, old tiles etc make terrific additions to tables and give them an instant patina. This site is definitely not uninteresting.

• When shopping at flea markets etc, be creative, an old classic hubcap, makes a great fruit bowl, with an industrial edge. An old sari or antique textile can be quickly reserviced into a table runner, napkins or a terrific wall hanging.

Scout out all the flea markets and sales in your area, they can be a wealth of opportunity. . . . remember shop to save the planet!