DIY Dr. Who TARDIS Table Lamp.

by MSutton

From plaster stand to Dr. Who table floor lamp. OK, so not everyone likes the doctor (obviously I do), or even knows what TARDIS is. So let us travel back to the beginning when all I had was a white plaster stand and an idea.

diy dr who tardis table lamp, crafts, lighting, painted furniture

I am a pack rat for sure. Why? I have had a pair of these plaster of Paris white pedestal stands for about 35 years. They have made coffee tables with glass across the top, they have been end tables with glass on each one separately, they have also held potted house plants.

While trying to downsize I was almost ready to put these to the curb. Being the pack rat I am I just could not see that happening. Why? Because, "I know ONE day I can use that for something"! Am I right??

Anyway, I kept staring at this square pedestal and then it hit me!

YAY a trip to home depot to gather a few supplies we need. You will need a night light lamp cord with the switch on the cord, a 18 inch round finished piece wood, toggle bolts (long enough to go thru table top and plaster top), a glass jar with metal lid. We will be re purposing an ice cream topping jar! SWEET! LOL

My thoughts seem right now to be that of light and galaxy ideas. Thank you Star Wars!

We first painted the entire pedestal blue with chalk paint first then unicorn spit. We did place tape where we thought the windows would be on the TARDIS.

As the pedestal dries we proceeded to make a galaxy tabletop with the 18 in round wood piece and my collection of unicorn spit. We spray the unicorn spit with water then we decided to use an air compressor to move paints around.

Our blank canvas of wood in the beginning.

Are we ready for what the mad Dr. has created??? I mean the mad Dr. behind the air compressor....... ready, set and BOOM!

Tabletop is now complete with the universe pattern by using an air compressor and unicorn spit.

We then placed the dried wood top on pedestal so we could measure the drilling a large hole in the middle of the round wooden top piece and pedestal as well as measure for placement of toggle bolts (one on each side of hole in middle).

When completed you should have 3 holes in both the wood top and pedestal. One in middle is for light and the two on the sides are for toggle bolts for attaching top.

I then cut a hole in the jar lid to fit over the middle hole as this is going to be my glass cover for my night light lamp.

After cutting hole in lid I then used liquid nail to attach jar lid to my now table top to align over middle hole. Before attaching with toggle bolts and the fact I am using as a night light, the switch on the cord must be accessible, so we used router to help cord under table top lay flat before attaching top to pedestal.

We then proceeded to finish the TARDIS details on all four sides of the pedestal. Once details painted and dried, we then proceeded to print the "Police" labels and the tiny badge on the door and decoupage them on there.

We sealed the entire project with brush on polyurethane (high gloss).

So now we have a plaster pedestal table lamp.

So who needs the doctor?? I got the TARDIS.

I see the light :)

It is making it's rounds thru the house. First the bedroom with it's new head board night light. With a brief visit in my living room (pardon my mess).

Ummm yeah it is still here, in the living room and I am thinking I will keep this for myself.

I have only done a few projects, I am definitely enjoying this new venture.

Oh and I am new at posting with instructions for DIY so if anywhere doesn't make sense I am sure you can ask me or probably figure it out yourself or you may even have a better way. Regardless the joy of creating and sharing is what I do , and you just never know what I will be doing next.

Come on over , like my page on Facebook, see what projects are progressing and which ones don't.

HINT: Window Treatment makeover mini blinds.

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2 of 8 comments

Marrianne Rudy on Jul 17, 2016
I'm a Whovian from the original Doctors! I've introduced 5 grandchildren and one daughter to the Doctor. My two oldest granddaughters LOVE Doctor Who and your post has given me a fantastic idea on making table lamps (the kind that sit on the tables) out of a square 4x4 and lampshade! Thank you so much for posting! Oh, I'm 58. :)

1 Reply
MSutton on Jul 17, 2016
Age 58! Me too!!! We know good TV shows. Yes your idea you must post. I want to see

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