Dollhouse Rattan Floor Lamp DIY
This adorable floor lamp is inspired by a (very) expensive real life version. It does not have a functioning light, but it’s an easy DIY for beginners! See the full step by step process below to make this stacked bead, scalloped rattan floor lamp in 1:12 scale.
Materials
Wood dowel or skewer (must fit inside the beads)
Mat board & cardstock
Rattan or Raffia Fabric (samples work great)
Tacky Glue
Other supplies: scissors, circle template, X-acto knife, ruler
Make the Lamp Post and Base
For a 1:12 scale, this lamp’s total height needs to measure about 5” tall. Cut your dowel to about 4 3/4” long. Thread your beads onto your dowel, leaving 1/8” of the dowel exposed at the bottom. Secure each bead with a little bit of wood glue. Be sure to wipe up any excess drips.
Cut two 1 1/2” diameter circles of mat board. Glue the two circles together to make a thicker base for the lamp. Trace the diameter of your dowel in the middle of the lamp base, and cut out a little hole for the dowel to sit in. I only cut through one of the mat board layers.
You can paint the base of the lamp white to better hide the seam between stacked circles.
Make the Lamp Shade
Cut a 6” x 1 3/4” rectangle out of cardstock. Also cut a 1 7/8” diameter circle out of mat board. If you want a scalloped edge, draw a series of half-circles on the inside edge of your rectangle template.
Glue your rattan fabric onto your rectangle paper. I let mine dry overnight before cutting out. If the glue isn’t totally dry, the rattan strips may peel off as you handle it. Using an X-acto knife, cut out the scallops following the circles you traced on the opposite side.
The 1 7/8” circle of mat board will serve as the top of the lamp. On the underside, cut out another small divet that the wood dowel fits into. Placing the circle about 1/4” away from the top of the rectangle’s edge, curve the outer shade around the circle, gluing as you go. Secure the ends with a little hot glue if necessary for some quick hold.
All that’s left to do now is glue the lamp post into the base and then glue the shade at the top of the post. Look at your lamp at eye level to make sure the post is vertically straight and the shade is level.
