Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Moose.
Moose who?
Moose lamp!
I know some of the photos look edited — I’ll explain in a bit.
It all began when I spotted a moose lamp at a moving sale in West Virginia while we were there to makeover Granny’s bathroom.
I couldn’t resist bringing him home for ten dollars.
The shade was an odd, too-small shape and the paint was flaking in a few spots…
…but I figured with a little spray paint and a new shade I could take him from rustic cabin to cabin-chic. So, I dove in (see how these impulsive, animal-themed “Dude, get on that already” projects started here). I tackled that moose like a pro — or like a moose-riding cowboy, if that’s a thing.
Choosing a color gave me options (blue moose? sure), but ultimately I chose white. Why? First, white makes him read like a ceramic figure. Second, a white base lets me go bold with the lampshade — patterned fabric, vibrant color, the works. I already have a specific shade picked out for a secret book project, so I can’t share it until the book is released on the 6th, but I plan to pair the DIY fabric shade with Malcolm (that’s the moose lamp’s name) and add a cheerful, ceramic-animal touch to Clara’s big-girl room.
The best moment came before painting, when I held the lamp up and asked Clara, “What’s that?” She shrugged and said, “I don’t know what it is.” I told her, “It’s a lamp with a moose on it,” and she replied, “I want a moose with a moose on it!” I tried again: “Well, I don’t have a moose with a moose on it, but it’s a lamp with a moose on it.” She looked me dead in the eye and slowly spelled it out: “moose… with… a… moose… on it.” She’s hilarious.
After I sprayed him white — I used Rustoleum Universal because it includes primer — and paired him with the secret fabric shade that was waiting in the cluttered playroom, Clara was completely on board with Malcolm. The shade actually fits perfectly; it’s the original shade from the glass-based lamp that a certain mischievous painting incident broke last year. We’d replaced those shades with simpler white ones and kept the originals for projects.
Now Clara can’t wait for Malcolm to move into her room. She says goodnight and good morning to him every day and even offers him snacks sometimes. The takeaway? Introducing a quirky lamp can become a sweet, silly ritual that encourages sharing and routine.
About the photoshopping: I digitally mocked up a patterned shade on the lamp to show how a patterned fabric would look. I also used an edited image to demonstrate how a white moose on a white surface can be understated, but placed on a painted surface — like a soft celery-green table or a rustic wood dresser — it really pops.
Moose, there it is.
What projects are you working on lately? Anyone else painting or upcycling animal-shaped decor?