A Lamp Make-Over!
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One of the easiest make-overs you can do is to revamp an old lamp. This is how I turned a $10 thrift store lamp into something not quite so boring. I’m loving the “after”!
Lots of times you can find a cheapie lamp at the thrift store, or at a yard sale, with a great base (just be sure to test it to make sure it works before you buy it! You might want to carry a light bulb with you, in case one isn’t available).
This one had such a nice shape, and it was HEAVY. Solid, I tell ya. They don’t make lamps like that anymore (well, unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for it, and you know me–not gonna happen, LOL!)
Initially, I thought I was going to spray paint it black….with some Krylon Dual, which is a paint and primer combined (this duo will save you from having to prime the lamp first).
I taped off with painter’s tape all the parts that I didn’t want to get sprayed:
…..And then I painted it black………….
And although I wanted a drum shade, I couldn’t find one (well, I couldn’t find one that was in my PRICE range….I mean, who wants to pay $40 for a $10 thrift store lamp???). So I found this round, uninspiring thing at Target for about $12.00:
And it looked…..PLAIN and I hated the black and white together.
So I painted it yellow…..But still, that lamp shade did NOTHING for the lamp.
And I’m even more convinced that frequent trips to the thrift store are a necessity, because I picked up this drum shade for only $2.00 at the thrift store just the other day! See??? All the more reason to hit the thrift store multiple times per week, because you never know what they’ll put out!
I wasn’t so sure about the burlap fabric and design, at first:
But after putting it together and seeing how visually interesting it is, I knew I had struck gold! The awesome thing is that if I ever want to change it back to black, I could totally do it for mere dollars, and the lamp would still look amazing (although I’m partial to the yellow).
And actually, I found two of these lamp shades, which is pretty uncommon in the realm of thrift-diving! Finding two of anything at a thrift store is rare! I’ll find another interesting lamp and they’ll probably go on my console table (that didn’t sell on Craig’s List) or on the vintage (thrift store!) buffet table that I am going to be refinishing soon.
So there you have it! A $10 thrift store lamp…..paired with a $2.00 thrift store lamp shade…..and a couple bucks for some Krylon….and you’ve got yourself a unique, chic lamp that nobody else has!
Do you have any old lamps sitting around in your house that could use a makeover? If not, hit some thrift stores and see what you can find to make over! You’ll be amazed what a little spray paint and a cool shade can do!
Happy thrift-diving!
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Tags: featured, lamp makeover, lamp shade, spray paint
So great! Nice work girl! Thanks for sharing
Thanks, girl!! Means a lot!
I love the burlap lamp shade, is there a chance you will be giving the instructions on how you did that?
I really would love to learn.
Thanks
Dido
Hi, Dido, thanks for your comment! I wish I could say that I MADE those lamp shades, but they’re a total thrift store SCORE! I scour my thrift store at least once (twice, if I am lucky!) to find all the best stuff. Do you have any cool thrift stores near you? The ones that are the best are the Unique thrift store chains. Check out http://www.imunique.com to see if they have one near you. They ROCK!!!! And they have 50% off on holidays!
Hey Serena! This is Amanda from The Ivy Cottage Blog! Were you able to link up to Cowgirl Up? Email me at mrsamandasdale@gmail.com so I can help you out!
Thanks,
Amanda
Hey, Amanda, yes, I think I figured it out! I am just now about to put the Cowgirl Up link on my featured post! WOW, my first link up
SWWEEEET. Thanks!
Oh How I love the thee. The combo is great. I can’t get over the deal either. I love thrifting.
LOVE that lamp!
I just bought a matching pair of lamps (no shades) from a thrift store and I’m not too fond of the dark fake antiqued look they have. I’m so inspired to spray paint them now! And to find lamp shades :/
Way to go on the find! That’s the beauty of spray paint– it can transform anything! Keep checking your thrift store, because you might also find the shades! Check Craigslist too!
Great findings at the TS. The round lamp shades are beautiful.
Thanks! Thrifting is the all-time happy experience when you find something so fabulous!
Hello Serena, I stumbled across your blog after looking for some instructions to DIY a lamp. I would like to send you pics and get some suggestions from you of you don’t mind….. I’ve been surfing your blog all day…I’ve enjoyed all of your creations, it’s great to find someone who shares a passion for thrifting like I do!
Teirreah, I’m glad you like my work!
I would love to see pics of your lamp. Email me at ThriftDiving@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see it! And yes, I love connecting with other people that love thrift stores as much as I do. People in real life find it a bit….uh…weird. LOL. My online crew thinks it rocks! 
Hi Serena…great job! Really beautiful! I am now following you (glad to) – perhaps you can check out one of my latest projects – and follow me back as well.
Linda
Ceiling Design in my dining room –
http://www.studioofdecorativearts.blogspot.com/2012/04/fifth-wall-importance-of-decorating.html