How to Make a Nautical-Themed Lamp

Add a summery nautical touch to your home's decor by wrapping natural hemp around a ho-hum lamp base and shade. This quick update is easy, inexpensive and breathes new life into a tired accessory.

By Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors
Filed under: Lamps, Handmade, Nautical Theme, Summer

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Materials Needed:

lamp base and shade
one roll medium hemp twine
hot glue gun and glue sticks
scissors

Glue Twine

Preheat hot glue gun. Working from the top of the lamp base, apply hot glue in small sections and wrap twine around lamp (Image 1). Press twine into hot glue as you go, holding each section until cool (Image 2). Tip: Select a lamp base with a shape that will work with this treatment. A simple shape is best. A base with carved details or a lot of curves will make wrapping the twine more difficult.

Cover Base in Twine

Continue applying glue in small sections, pressing current row tight against the last (Image 1). Twine can be applied in one long piece until the entire lamp base is covered (Image 2). Cut the twine with scissors when you reach the bottom of the lamp.

Make Coordinating Shade

Apply hot glue in small sections to top of lamp and press twine into glue (Image 1). Hold in place until glue cools (Image 2). Wrap until top trim of shade is covered and cut with scissors. Repeat process on bottom trim of shade. Tip: Alternately, the entire shade can be wrapped in twine, if desired. However, this may cause the lamp's illumination to be dimmer.