Lamps
Opinionated designer Helena Teichrib kindly informed me that my home lighting sucked. To fix this, we made some lamps together.
In May 2020, we made Fröstrum (frustrum meets Ikea).
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/frostrum_side.webp)
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/frostrum_top.webp)
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/frostrum_apart.webp)
We sketched a mushroom lamp, and —presto!— found the perfect shade for it in an op shop. We then shaped a complementary base on a lathe from a block of macrocarpa (Monterey cyprus). That was my first time using a lathe. Do like. Finally, for the electrics, we bought a new lamp from the hardware store for 13$, smashed it to bits, and ripped out its guts. That was cheaper than paying 45$ to buy the parts to build the electrics and cheaper than buying and destroying a used lamp from the op shop.
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/frostrum_on.webp)
Fröstrum glows softly in my bedroom at night.
On to the living room! In November 2021, we almost made Keke, featuring a New Zealand flax (harakeke) basket i hand wove under the tutelage of Helena's flatmate Emma.
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/fail_side.webp)
But the basket didn't let enough light through. Woops, should've checked that before making the base.
We promptly pivoted and made Percy (perky and round).
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/percy_side.webp)
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/percy_top.webp)
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/percy_apart.webp)
Percy's stylish shade also came from an op shop. We designed a stylish base to match and cut it from rimu on a bandsaw. I like bandsaws too. Then we bought another 13$ lamp from the hardware store, this time in black, and cannibalized its electrics.
![](https://raichev.net/images/lamps/percy_on.webp)
Living room enlightened.