Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Quick Lamp Makeover

Recently, I grabbed a gilded tole lamp at an estate sale for a great price. While it looked a little Liberace in its original state, I could see the potential.
Simply removing the dangling crystals made a world of difference. Then I needed a new shade as I thought the old one dwarfed the lamp and dated it as well.

I found a smaller-scaled cylindrical paper shade at our Habitat store for $12. Sold! While I thought the size and shape would work (see the older shade in the background), I prefer black shades, especially with the gold of the lamp. So, I grabbed some black acrylic paint and a paintbrush and got to work. While I considered spray painting the shade (I might have if it were a fabric shade), I wasn't sure the paper shade would hold up to that kind of saturation so I decided against it. Has anyone ever spray painted a paper shade before?

The shade still needs a second coat of paint, but I went ahead and placed it on the lamp to see the difference. 
A little Hollywood Regency glam without the Liberace factor (nothing against Liberace, of course). What do you think?

21 comments:

Melissa Crochet said...

Looks so good! I love black shades also with gold lamps so I'm glad to hear the spray paint worked...now I
'm off to spray something.

A Perfect Gray said...

please. you are killing me. been looking for a lamp just like that for a while.

terrific job...donna

Mallory | Confetti and Stripes said...

It looks so good! Reminds me of Ro Sham Beaux!

Heather Peterson said...

LOVE IT!!

Ashley said...

What the what? Do you have, like, a special radar for good estate sales or something? The lamp looks fab and it's with its rightful owner who will love it.

P.S. Header makeover? I like.

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

You are good girl! It looks amazing!!

Brandy@MAKE+MODEL said...

Love the makeover and I love your new site design. Sorry if you announced that and I missed it. Looks great!!

therelishedroost said...

BLACK IS WERE IT'S AT!! LOVE THAT LOOK!!!
GREAT JOB AS USUAL!
BEST.
KAROLYN

stephanie at Stephanie Kraus Designs said...

OMG -- really? you nailed it! that lamp looks amazing and I would never have seen that potential! AWESOME xo

Unknown said...

Yes, that black shade makes a world of difference, and it probably wouldn't have occurred to me to take the crystals off. Removing them makes the lamp look smart. Great job!

julielorusso@gmail.com said...

It looks great. I would have thought the over the top crystals were fun and might have kept them. But I have to say, it looks much more chic w/o them!

designchic said...

I think it's amazing - so much better without the crystals and love a black shade!!

Katie said...

Yes, I too love your new header! A touch of back really does make all the difference. Discovered Bradfords Interiors in Nashville yesterday - great mix of antique and modern.

Unknown said...

Kathy, you did a great job! It's beautiful. I have the EXACT same lamp that also came with the dangles and white shade (except mine was nasty and stained).

The store owner told me the lamp was so ugly, he should pay me to take it away. Ha! He only charged me $15. It sits on my desk and it is my favorite!

House Envy said...

I so LOVE this! what a great find! The gold base looks so much more chic with the black! Good call and great find!

Laura
House Envy

Raina Cox said...

That's amazing in at least 14 different ways.

Interior Design Musings said...

Wishing I could go shopping with you - I never have your luck! I would scratch eyes out for a lamp like that! LOVE it! M.

Anonymous said...

Nice DIY thing but can you tell me why you choose only black to cover it.

Stacey said...

Wow! Love, love! Superb job!

susieq said...

Wow! Love it. Great makeover!

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