More of a geek hack than a DIY, this is a quick five-minute project for Portal fans. And even in lamp form, the companion cube will not threaten to stab you. And, in fact, cannot speak.
In the event that the Companion Cube does speak, we urge you to disregard its advice. 🙂 Oh GLaDOS (and Portal), we love you.
Anyway, this is easy. First things first – go order THIS companion cube box from ThinkGeek. It’s generally on sale for $6. If you are anti-that for some reason, then you can definitely make your own with white posterboard and paint. We went lazy on this one, since our last project (hi, Claptrap!) was pretty time consuming. The only other thing you’ll need is a pendant lamp kit. We got ours at IKEA for $8, which included an energy efficient bulb that will apparently last pretty much forever.
Let’s assume you just ordered the box. We’ll fast-forward a few days, and it just arrived. Fun. Here’s what you do to make it into a DIY Portal companion cube lamp.
Your supply list
Cut the bottom off, including the flappy things.
Trace the base of the cord kit onto the top of the box. Cut it out. You also need to cut a hole in the flappy things underneath (you’ll see what we mean when you make yours).
Put the cord in the hole you cut on top, screw in a lightbulb. Like we said, this is really easy.
Hang it up. Turn it on. Done!
We like the soft glow it gives. The interior of the box is black, which we considered painting gold/silver/white, but we ended up liking it just the way it is.
What do you think?
On a different note, a quick reminder that we recently joined Twitter and Facebook! (in addition to Pinterest – which is still our favorite – Instagram, and Tumblr). Pick your poison.
Deb 'N Cats says
April 21, 2014 at 11:07 amI saw this and the first thing I thought of was a coin cube from Mario. You could spray paint the cube yellow for that.
ournerdhome says
June 5, 2014 at 2:44 pmAbsolutely! That is a great idea Deb (n cats 🙂 ). Thanks!
Gigi says
April 22, 2014 at 1:35 pmLove it….clever, clever, and easy! Yay!
ournerdhome says
June 5, 2014 at 2:45 pmThank you, Gigi! It was fun to make too!
Tracey says
April 23, 2014 at 5:04 ami love this, so much 🙂
ournerdhome says
June 5, 2014 at 2:46 pmThank you, Tracey. We love it too!
Kristy gd says
April 27, 2014 at 5:32 amNice. The thing I love more than anything about reading your blog is that it inspires me to do all sorts of things (including, but not limited to, finishing the projects I have in the works). The portal cube is such an iconic piece of art, and I love the idea of having it as a light!
ournerdhome says
June 5, 2014 at 2:47 pmThank you, Kristy, that is so kind of you to say! Please share your projects when you are finished, we want to see Your Nerd Home too! 🙂
Stephanie says
June 4, 2014 at 8:25 pmOh. My. Goodness.
I think you just made my day because this project means I can make Mr. Dude’s day. He LOVES Portal – it’s his favorite puzzle game – and he may or may not have the lifesize replica Portal Gun and display stand … along with companion cube ice cubes and warning sign coasters.
He may just have a new light above his desk in the near future …
ournerdhome says
June 5, 2014 at 2:53 pmWe are very happy that we could make your days. 🙂 Portal is one of our all-time favorites too!
Megan says
April 14, 2015 at 12:32 pmIt would make a really cool minecraft block too!!