Thursday, June 26, 2014

{Thrift Store Lamp Makeover}

Hey, y'all!  I have a serious problem: I'm addicted to buying thrift store lamps.  I see them in the store for really cheap, and in my head, I see what they would look like with a makeover.  (It's totally like the Princess Diaries of lamps as the makeover plays out in my head.)  I mean, who could blame me for wanting to rescue all those abandoned lamps that just need a little love?!  (My husband, that's who...)  I'm currently making over my living room.  Yeah, it's taking wayyyyy longer than I expected.  I needed a tall lamp to go on the dresser I refurbished.  Yes, I have several thrift store lamps at home, but they weren't really exactly what I wanted.  But I recently found THE ONE at my local ReStore, and I gave it a makeover.
Make a thrift store lamp look FABULOUS! pitterandglink.com #lampmakeover #DIY
When I found the lamp, it looked like this.
The lamp before... pitterandglink.com
Well, it had a shade on it, but I didn't take a picture with the shade on.
The lamp before... pitterandglink.com
The price tag said $9.50.  I wouldn't have spent $9.50 for the lamp.  I'm cheap frugal.  Luckily on that day, it was marked down to $5.  That was a price I was willing to pay.
Prime a metal thrift store lamp with RUST-OLEUM's Clean Metal Primer pitterandglink.com
I started by taking all the innards out of the lamp.  (Did I really just use that word?)  Then I sanded the lamp a little because there were places that the paint was peeling.  I gave the lamp a good cleaning and then sprayed it with Rust-Oleum's Clean Metal Primer.  It's my favorite primer for metal lamps.
Valspar's Nautical Spray Paint--A beautiful aqua! pitterandglink.com
Then I sprayed the lamp with Valspar spray paint in a pretty color called Nautical.
Make a lamp shiny with a clear, glossy spray paint pitterandglink.com
I wanted the lamp to be shiny, so I finished the paint job by spraying the lamp with a clear gloss spray paint.
Use a lamp kit to rewire an old lamp. pitterandglink.com
I rewired the lamp using a prepackaged lamp kit.  The directions on the package are really easy to follow.  The lamp probably worked already, but I have a fear of lamps that have those old looking cords on them.  I always rewire them.  (I'm weird like that.)  The lamp base was then complete, but the shade needed some love.
Recover an old lampshade with fabric.  pitterandglink.com
I found a fabric that I really liked at Hobby Lobby.  I rolled the shade along the back of the fabric and traced the edge of the shade as I rolled it.  I added a little extra to fold over the top and bottom of the lamp and then cut out the fabric.
Use spray glue to adhere fabric to an old lampshade.  pitterandglink.com
I used spray glue to adhere the fabric to the shade, making sure to hold the fabric tight while pressing it to prevent any bubbles from forming.  I folded the extra fabric over the edges and attached it to the inside of the shade with hot glue.
Make a thrift store lamp look FABULOUS! pitterandglink.com #lampmakeover #DIY
I love the finished lamp!
Make a thrift store lamp look FABULOUS! pitterandglink.com #lampmakeover #DIY
I adore the aqua color of the base, and I love that the shade isn't "matchy matchy" with the base.  It just GOES.  ;)
Make a thrift store lamp look FABULOUS! pitterandglink.com #lampmakeover #DIY
I'm not sure if I'll keep this little part of the room like it is in the photo, but it makes me excited to finish the makeover!

Related Posts:

Makeover an outdated lamp by spraying it white and recovering the shade. pitterandglink.com
Just Paint It White Lamp Makeover
Check out this awesome craft room makeover from pitterandglink.com!
My Craft Room Makeover

15 comments:

  1. Love the lamp makeover! Why did you need to rewire the lamp? Was it not working or was it for other reasons? I've not tried rewiring and was a bit curious. Again, great makeover!

    p.s. I'm in love with the Habitat Restore in your area. :-)

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  2. I LOVE it, Bethany! You are the new spray paint queen, friend! I love what you did with this. Pinned!

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  3. This looks great! I have a thing for thrift store lamps too. They just have so much potential. I really love what you did with this one!

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  4. Great idea to cover the shade with spray glue like that! Cute makeover.

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  5. Looks fantastic. I love the color you used for it.

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  6. Love that fabric and agree it looks good without being matchy matchy.

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  7. Super cute... Featuring you this weekend!

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  8. OMGosh! Gorgeous. Love the colors together--I don't have the skill to do it, but I can sure follow in someone else's footsteps:) Thanks for sharing your expertise!

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  9. Oh wow, I love this. I was going to say my favorite part is the lamp shade and you share how you did it. Cool. I'll be doing this soon with a lamp in my son's room. I was wondering what to do with the lamp shade. :) Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going to share this. :) Take care and have a good week.

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  10. Hi Bethany! I featured your awesome makeover for this week's Create & Share DIY and Recipe Party! WOO! I hope you'll stop by and linkup again this week! See you there!

    http://mrsthreeinthree.com/2014/07/create-share-diy-recipe-party-12.html

    -Karly

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  11. Hi Bethany! I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE your Thrift Store Lamp Makeover, and I'm featuring you as one of my Rockstars this week from Creativity Unleashed!

    As a Rockstar you're in the running for this week's MEGA Rockstar! Grab your friends and come vote at http://www.theboldabode.com/2014/07/rockstars-creativity-unleashed-26.html

    The MEGA Rockstar gets loads of love including:

    1. Shout outs on all my social media houses.
    2. A bucket full of Pins to my biggest group boards
    3. A big sidebar ad proclaiming them the MEGA Rockstar of the week
    4. And a feature in my weekly newsletter!

    Congratulations and Good Luck!!!

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  12. I share your sickness for thrifted lamps. Yours looks great! Thanks for linking up with us at Best of the Nest!

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  13. Love it! Shared! Coming by from Artsy Fartsty Link up.

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Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)