Do-It-Yourself Lamp Project
So I completed my first DIY project since last summer, when I re-did my dining room chairs. They used to be an ugly grey blue with some blue-pink plaid upholstery, and I re-did them to make them look a bit more modern, though a temporary fix.
My second DIY attempt happened on this past rainy Friday afternoon. I got out of work early and decided to head to the local Salvation Army to see if I could procure an ugly lamp for cheap. I managed to get an interesting, though ugly gold lamp for about 17 dollars, then headed across the street to the conveniently located Home Depot for some paint and polyurethane.
It did have an interesting tarnished finish on it, probably from years of use, but I decided that I wanted a modern color on it, instead opting for a robin’s egg blue mixed with a bit of turquoise. To start, I cleaned off the lamp of all dust and debris and tape off the top and the cord.
Afterwards I set up my workstation out on my balcony. I had a drop cloth from a previously attempted project and just laid it out and taped it up on the balcony rail to prevent too much wind from blowing paint around. I also made the mistake of doing this project with a storm system going through our area. Luckily, my balcony is covered pretty well and though the humidity was high, my project area stayed dry.
After setting up I sprayed the first layer of paint on and let it dry about 20 minutes. Now I have to admit, I’m impatient with spray paint. I like to see the color covering the surface completely after the first coat. So naturally, I kept spraying, and I did have a small area that dripped and bubbled. Luckily, it’s towards the back of the lamp, so you can’t see it too bad. Lesson learned: Take your time.
And one more lesson learned before I show the final product…
Don’t wear your nice, every day sandals while painting. Believe it or not, the paint does in fact spray everywhere. *sigh* Any way, for the final product, I had a lamp shade that I had picked up at Target for about 29.99$, but was using it on another lamp base. I decided that I need to find a different shade for that lamp, and am using the shade on the new lamp. After some drying time, though not nearly enough (it was raining, so the lamp had to come inside), I placed it in the corner where I thought it would work nicely. Tada!
Personally I think the pale aqua and crisp linen shade work wonderfully with the green walls I have in my current apartment. It definitely puts a modern twist on an old piece. Here is a break-down of costs:
- Lamp plus original shade (which I did not use) – 17.64
- Paint and polyurethane at Home Depot – 6.78
- Drop cloth and shade were already in my possession – 0
So for a total of 24.42, I completed this project in a few hours on a rainy Friday afternoon.
Do you have any suggestions for me as far as DIY goes?
Great transformation!
This is so beautiful! Too bad about the shoes, but wow! What a gorgeous (and inexpensive) lamp :O)
Love it, thanks! I’ve priced out these types of lamps and they are always a little expensive. Great alternative!
very nice! when did you use the poly? to seal after spray-painting? was it brush-on poly?
Deb–
I believe it may have just been a clear coat, now that I have gone back and looked at the project some more. It was a clear coat spray on, from Rustoleum, same brand that I used for the paint.
Best,
Laura
Love that colour! Makes me want to steal one of my parents’ lamps and give it an update. :)
Love the lamp– I am thinking the next DIY project might be to try alittle shoe polish and see if you can “bring back” the cute sandels???
Vicki —
Thanks! Actually I just sucked it up and wore them a few times and the paint came off — woohoo! :)
The lamp looks great! I love that Aqua spray paint. I just painted a birdcage that exact color. I even got it at the same HD you went to! I don’t live far from there.
About your sandals. I had the same issue. I used non-acetone nail polish remover to take off the paint and they were be good as new!
Love the lamp. Just may have to steal your idea. Thanks. BTW what color paint did you use?
Hi Leslie –
The paint color was Aqua from Rustoleum. Good luck with your own projects! :)
I LOVE it! Don’t you think the thrift store prices are getting a bit high though? I could see paying $6.99 for that lamp but $16.99 is a bit high! You made it beautiful though and worth every cent.
Cindy –
I definitely agree that thrift shops are getting expensive.. Funny thing was, the lamp shade had a tag on it saying the shade itself cost 60 bucks! Course, for the time being I’m using it on another lamp, and it ripped when I first opened it. Must’ve been an antique! ;)
Thanks!
this is a wonderful idea! you’ve inspired me! i have multiple hand-me-down lamps in our apartment that i’m actually embarassed to display. they have a similar finish to the one you had. i think i’m going to get some of that spray paint and turn them into something i’ll be proud to have in my living room thank you so much!
That looks fabulous! I saw this on Young House Love-congratulations! As for more DIY suggestions, I have tons on my blog. My Revamp Roundups have projects in the same vein as your gorgeous lamp.
I love lamp! It looks awesome, and I agree that the colors look very modern.
I had a good chuckle because I just bought that EXACT SAME plant and pot at IKEA last Friday. You have excellent taste!! :)
How amusing! I am in love with that little pot and that tree is growing strong! It has several new shoots on it, and I was worried it wouldn’t survive at all!
Best,
Laura
Laura, I love your blog and just wanted to mention that I’m totally stealing this lamp idea, right down to the color! GoodWill, here I come!
Sharee –
Thanks! And send pictures if you get it done, I’d love to see it! :)
Best,
Laura
I was searching through Google doing research for a blog article, when I found this blog, and while not what I was exactly looking for I found it very informative and interesting and the lamp looks fantastic. Thanks Chelsea xx