Around the World
Explore new uses for old maps. Use spray adhesive to attach a map to a plain lampshade. Then glue coordinating grosgrain ribbon around the top and bottom edges to finish.

Squared Off
Dress up a drum shade with this pretty geometric treatment. Gather paint chips in your desired color palette, and use a square punch to make the colors a uniform shape and size. Lay the squares facedown on a piece of cardboard one section at a time, and coat them with spray adhesive. Begin applying the paint chips to the top center section of the lampshade, and work your way down and around, being mindful of color placement. When you reach the bottom row, trim squares to fit the remaining space before adhering to the lampshade.

Light Reading
Use damaged or discarded books and a lamp kit to build this literary light. Drill a hole slightly bigger than the rod in your lamp kit through the center of each book until you get the height you desire. Stack the books on the rod, and follow the instructions on the kit for assembling the lamp. Use books that follow a theme, whether it’s a similar color scheme or books by the same author. Cover a self-adhesive lampshade with decorative paper or book pages to complete.

Stack It Up
Make a statement by piling bracelets on a lamp base. A hodgepodge of wood, metal, and plastic bangles turns an ordinary lamp into a custom creation. Slide bracelets onto the lamp base, gluing with Liquid Nails as you go. If you like the arrangement of color and style, let the glue dry, add a lampshade, and you’re done. To get a crisp, clean look, try masking off one colorful bracelet and spraying the rest of the bracelets and the base with primer, then with semigloss white paint.