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How to put a star lamp up in the window

11 replies

TheDormouse · 13/12/2016 18:22

My DDs have been bought one of those big cardboard star lampshades. I've seen houses with them glowing in the front window. But how do you hang it up and plug it in? All the lamp leads on Amazon etc seem to be only a metre or so long, so do you end up with an extension socket dangling down by the window frame? I asked in an electrical shop about getting a longer lead but they said something about it being illegal to sell one like that (!).

I'm probably missing something blindingly obvious, but... help, anyone?

Thanks!

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User1234567891011 · 13/12/2016 18:40

Do you plan on leaving it on all night all through the year? Is there a house opposite you? I think they look lovely but if the people over the road had a light on in the window (will it be infront of the blinds?) that was facing my house all night I would be very annoyed and ask you to turn it off or try to get in touch with someone who would make you. Sorry. Maybe just hang it up somewhere else?

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JustSpeakSense · 13/12/2016 18:47

I think user missed the question Grin

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Somerville · 13/12/2016 18:49

My one of those has a small battery pack rather than being main operated...

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jultomten · 13/12/2016 18:50

In Sweden where I'm from originally every house will have these, but only for the dark months around Christmas. There usually you would have a socket close to the window. In the U.K. This is rare but surely you can get a normal extension cord to fit ( scotched) around the window frame? You can put a hook or nail above the window to attach the star. It really isn't a sting light that would bother anyone, it's usually a soft cosy atmosphere light.
I love these lights on dark cold nights:)

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User1234567891011 · 13/12/2016 18:56

I didn't miss the question - I used to live opposite a neighbour who had a bright light on the windowsill of her kid's bedroom all night - infront of the blinds. It was so bright used to shine right into my bedroom and keep me awake - I think people should just be more aware of stuff like that, just wanted to make sure OP took this into account. Its like streetlamps that are right infront of people's houses, I feel sorry for them at night with the new LED bulbs in them.

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Girlwithnotattoos · 13/12/2016 19:00

Sorry but you can't complain about a lamp in a window, or a street lamp buy some blackout blinds!

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ChristmasTreeKisses · 13/12/2016 19:01

You can buy long extension cords have a look in Argos. Around here people seem to use thin string to hang the lamp from the curtain pole and just let the cable dangle down and then plug in to an extension on the floor. At night you obviously don't see the cables.

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User1234567891011 · 13/12/2016 19:06

I understand it for a couple of hours like until 11 , but not all night and not behind the blinds, that's just taking the piss I think. We had really thick curtains etc but it didn't block out the light and we didn't have the money for blackout blinds. It was a simply case of putting the lamp inside of the blinds and turning it off at a reasonable time.

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TheDormouse · 13/12/2016 19:07

Thanks all for the advice. So would you tape an extension socket to the window frame? It's a big bay window so i don't think I'd get a lamp lead long enough to run down to the floor. And User, yes, I'd definitely turn it off overnight - we're in a city street and I agree, there's enough light already while people are sleeping.

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ALongTimeComing · 13/12/2016 22:43

You could get some command strip hooks above your window to thread the cord through so it's not dangling. They are fab.

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officerhinrika · 14/12/2016 16:17

You could just get a pendant lampholder, however many metres you need of two core electrical cable and a plug then wire them together. It's the same as rewiring a table lamp really. You could go for the fabric covered cable for a prettier look. All the components should cost a couple of quid, have a look on Amazon.

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