A quick peek inside Kirsten Dunst’s home, featured in a 2021 Architectural Digest article, was all it took to spark a new obsession among retro design lovers: the popsicle stick-style lamp.
+ Martha Stewart launches affordable vintage table that has become a trend among interior designers
Since then, the model has become a sought-after gem in thrift stores, catching the eye of collectors and fans of nostalgic decor.
The lamps featured by Kirsten Dunst, the actress from “Spider-Man,” are part of a style known as tramp art — also referred to as “hobo art.” This handmade aesthetic emerged during the Great Depression in the United States, though its roots may trace back to German and Scandinavian immigrants living in North America in the 19th century.
The nickname “popsicle stick” is a popular way to describe the thin wooden strips reused by these artisans, often taken from simple everyday items like cigar boxes or produce crates.
With these materials, they created elaborate geometric patterns — zigzags, spirals, or mosaics — applied to lamps, decorative boxes, and picture frames, like the one Kirsten Dunst keeps in her antique-filled home, styled in collaboration with designer Jane Hallworth.
These vintage lamps have become thrift store favorites, and finding one similar to Dunst’s might not be as hard as it seems. Table lamps and smaller items are the most common pieces in tramp art, increasing your chances of spotting one at flea markets, antique shops, and secondhand websites.
Even better: many are still sold at affordable prices — on eBay, for example, you can find models for around $50. With growing interest in this kind of retro decor, prices may rise, so now might be the perfect time to get one.
Learn more about popsicle stick lamps and how to identify quality pieces
While tramp art is often associated with itinerant communities of the Great Depression era, some scholars say the term comes from the German word “trampen” (to hitchhike), linked to the tradition of the Wandergesellen — young craftsmen who traveled through Europe to gain experience after training. This heritage reinforces the handcrafted and artistic character of tramp pieces, which captivate because of the skill involved in transforming simple materials into sophisticated, personality-filled objects.
When hunting for a popsicle stick lamp at thrift shops or garage sales, the complexity of the woodwork is what matters most. The more intricate the design, the rarer and more valuable the piece tends to be. Maker’s marks are extremely rare in this type of item, so assessment is usually visual and tactile. If you want to dive deeper, it’s worth studying the work of artists like John Martin Zubersky or John Frank Zadzora, both known figures in this handcrafted style.
If your goal is simply to create a stylish vintage décor, there’s a wide variety of models available. Some are pendant lamps, perfect for spotlighting a corner of the living room; others are ideal for nightstands or desks. There are natural wood versions, some decorated with colorful beads or mosaics with small tiles. The charm of these pieces lies in their variety of shapes and details — and there’s almost certainly one that fits your space perfectly.
Source: House Digest
Stay up to date by following our Facebook page.
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
