Thursday, January 17, 2008

Inexpensive lamp makeover

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This lamp is usually next to my sofa...it's my magazine reading lamp! When I went to take pictures of it, my daughter was stretched out on the couch watching TV and I thought it would be easier to move the lamp rather than ask her to move! I bought it at a flea market for $5 about 10 years ago. It was shiny faux brass~very ugly! I remember my mom giving me a weird look when I bought it because it was scratched and a little dented around the base. I told her I was going to paint it white but I think she thought I was crazy. I spray panted it white and planned on getting a new lampshade for it but to cover it up until then I just tied this lace valance I already had on with ribbon and it's been there ever since. It's great I can just take off the lace and wash it when it gets too dusty.
Edited to add: I just used a regular can of spray paint. Today if I were to do this I would use a spray primer first and then spray paint. I only have a couple spots where the paint has chipped off which isn't a big deal if you like the shabby chic look.

35 comments:

Happy@Home said...

Hi Cindy,
I have recently discovered your beautiful blog. Your decorating style and colors are very similar to mine. Your projects are so inspiring and your photography is awesome. One question, did you paint your lamp with a certain type of spray paint? I am always seeing ugly brass lamps in thrift shops and would have never thought to spray paint them, but yours looks great. Thanks, Kim

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Looks great Cindy! I love lamps....you can never have too many :-)

Adrienne said...

I love the lace on the lampshade. We are about to do that with a small wall lamp in my dear little mother's guest room. It makes such a difference!

~Adrienne~

BittersweetPunkin said...

What a clever idea Cindy!! I will for sure pick up the issue of the magazine as well and look for you!!
Hugs,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Love the lace lampshade idea!! So very creative!
Elise

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

The lamp is so pretty you never fail to amaze me.
ginger

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
You are too clever~If I were picking up the old brass lamp from the flea market and my mom thought I was crazy, I probably would have put it down~good for you! The lace is adorable, I would leave it on forever! Hugs, Rosemary~

Shopaholic D said...

what a great thrift makeover! i love it!

:) Diana
The Chic Life

Mary said...

So pretty and romantic!
xoxo
Mary

Alison Gibbs said...

Cindy, yet anopther fabulous makeover. The lace looks so sweet.
Alison

Angela said...

This is an incredible idea to cover a lamp shade..You really have such a nakc for making things jsut look there best Cindy!!. Thanks for sharing :-).

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That lamp is just adorable. Did you weave the ribbon in the lace?
Penny

Anonymous said...

Great idea~I've been keeping my eyes open at the thrift stores in town for a living room lamp...this expands my ideas!

Anonymous said...

I never knew you could spray paint over that shiny brass! I have a lamp that's in need of a makeover. Thanks for the tip! ~ Lynda xo

Anonymous said...

I have an antique floor lamp that belonged to my Great-Grandmother. It has no shade and is a dark brown color. You have inspired me to re-think giving the lamp away. I should paint it and find a shade for it. Thanks for another wonderful idea.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous...just fabulous!

Gail McCormack said...

Lovely Cindy! Love it next to the white wicker chair, very elegant and romantic. I laughed about your daughter, they are hard to move at times, very wise to work around them

Unknown said...

I did the same Cindy!I used a lace skirt that had a ribbon around the top, it is simple but effective!
Sue

Rhondi said...

Hi Cindy. I always love visiting you because you usually have something pretty and clever to show. The lampshade is lovely and just adds such a nice soft touch to the lamp.Hope that youhad a great day today. Rhondi xo

vivian said...

Hi cindy, the lamp looks great! I've done the lace on the shade thing before, but never thought about painting the whole lamp.. I have to remember to keep that in mind! you home is beautiful!
vivian

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Cindy ~
That is sooo exciting about being in Romantic Country magainze ~~~ Congratulations and that is way awesome that your pics will be in there !
xoxo,
Lori

Anonymous said...

Cindy the lamps are just so lovely!
xo
mary
hoganfe handbags

Rosemary said...

I love the lamp Cindy. Very shabby chic.
Rosemary

Tara said...

Cindy

This is such a great idea, honestly, you could do your own mag! Very cute and fits right in with the wicker chair, I love the balance!
:0)
Tara

Nan said...

Very pretty. It's great that you can just remove it to wash it.
Hugs,
Nan

A Romantic Porch said...

Adorable. I love it. I spraypaint so many things white too, that my kids are fortunate that I haven't spraypainted them also:)!

Debbie Kay said...

Cindy:

Fabulous you are and Fabulous I feel after visiting your blog everyday! I get a daily dose of ideas (I finished my birdcage thanks to you):) and my mouth waters at all of the beautiful pictures you share....

Congrats on the Romantic Country Home magazine spread. You sooooo deserve it and I can't wait for it to come out....

Affectionately,

Debbie Kay

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

~elaine~

Glenda said...

Hi
Cindy I am curious, how many sq. feet is your place?, the pictures you take make you house look so big. And yet you say your in an apartment. I own a townhouse that is 1237 sq feet and I just can't seem to make things look right.
You have such inspirational ideas. Do you get them from magazines like I or do you just have the talent ?

Keep on with your inspirations.
Thanks
Glenda

Elzie said...

Lovely!
Hope you have a good weekend.
Love Elzie

Tracy said...

Cindy, the lamp shade looks charming with the lace valance tied on it. Very pretty!

Trish said...

I've just found your blog and must tell you how lovely and inspiring you are. I absolutely love the lace curtain hanging in the kitchen doorway, and what you did to your bedroom. I can't wait to get started on my own home this weekend! Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!

Cathy Miller said...

I never thought of using a lace valance to put on a lamp shade. What a wonderful idea!! I love it! I think I have one in my storage bin...I'm going to go look!!

Unknown said...

Isn't it a great feeling when you can take something "ugly" and make it beautiful? I love the lace on the lampshade! It's perfect!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your article. Love the pearl "C" and lace curtain.
Alexandra