Ok whose ready for the makeover of one very patriotic set of lamps? We are halfway there, y’all and I’ve got a fun one to share today.
I came across these lamps at the DAV thrift store a mile from my house a month or so ago. They were marked $4.98 each. You can’t even buy lamp parts for that cheap!
I was clueless as to how I could update a set of lamps that were birdhouses painted like American flags, but I bought one and was on my way. As soon as I turned out of the parking lot, I knew I should have grabbed the other one as well.
TIP: If you sell in a shop or a booth, try to sell things that typically come in pairs, in pairs. It seems one end table, one night table, one lamp, always stick around for way too long!
Here’s how I transformed these Americana gems:
They’ve gone coastal!
So cute, right? They don’t even look like the same lamps!
I sanded the originals really well with my rotary sander first to take down any roughness from the previous paint job. Then I painted them black as a base so black would show through when I sanded the edges and such. Next they both got a coat of Behr’s Gray Morning , mixed with a little Pure White. (Both made into chalk paint.)
As you can see the next step was to tape off the stripes. For this I used Frogtape for delicate surfaces. Then painted in the stripes in white…
Two coats, then immediately removed the tape.
Next I sanded a little to smooth and distress a bit, and added a coat of Annie Sloan’s Clear Wax to seal.
I had the knobs in my stash already, just gave the back plates a couple coats of white spray paint. I think I originally picked these up at TJ Maxx, but I don’t remember for sure. They are a great inexpensive resource for knobs these days.
The original shades just weren’t salvageable since they were so bashed in, but my Mom who used to sell ton of lamps back in the day, had a few shades left over and these worked perfectly…especially since they were free. {There may even have been a happy dance involved.}
But they were kind of boring, so my Mom added a little sailboat to the corner of each one for me…
It was just what they needed! Thanks, Mom! 🙂
BIG difference, huh?
I think so! Seems like I’m rescuing a lot of dated décor lately…here’s what’s up for tomorrow:
Hearts? What were we thinking???
UPDATE: See it HERE now!
See ya then, sweetest of Friends!!
If you missed any of this Madness so far, you can catch up here:
1. DIY Tray from an Old Picture 2. Mini Shelf Makeover 3. Antique Mirror Repurposed 4. Oval Rosette Mirror
5. Wooden Tote Redo 6. DIY Jewelry Storage 7. Patterned Sofa Table
8. The Perfect Necklace Holder 9. Spring Bird Nest Wreath 10. Shutter Cabinet Makeover
11. Updated Candelsticks 12. 80’s Clock Cabinet Reimagined 13. Jewelry/Trinket Holder 14. $5 Yard Sale Dresser Redo
XOXO,
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Addie says
You did it!!! You turned those around!!!! I can see those at a beach house. I also see, that mom is artistic too!!! Good job to both of you!!!
God Bless~ Addie
Christy K. James says
Much better, huh? My Mom was a big help with that little added touch. Thanks, Addie!! XOXO
Joanne Taggart says
Hi Christy! Thank goodness for Mom! The sailboats on the shades are the final touch. The lamps came out really nice. I know what you mean about buying the lamps for the great price they were. Sometimes I purchase an item not just for the item but because it will have some other attachments I can use on something else. And I really like the stripes. They interest me and I want to try them and be successful. I have tried, but they sure looked like beginner’s stripes! But, I will try again. Thanks for the wonderful post.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joanne, and yes thank goodness for my Mom! That was just the touch these needed. The secret to perfect stripes is the tape. 🙂
Sue says
So very cute!!xoxo
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue!!
Paula@SweetPea says
Painted stripes, knobs and new shades were just what these lamps needed. Your mom’s artwork is the perfect touch for the shades.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I thought at first I might just use them for the parts, but I’m glad now I went ahead and painted them. I love how my Mom added her touch to the shades too. 🙂
Tina Matteson says
Christy, you’ve outdone yourself again. I seriously think you are at MY thrift store snatching up all the hideously ugly items that I cannot imagine any improvements for… and then you do things like this! Wow, they are beautiful. And I love the staging of your photos. GREAT, great, job!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha ha! Thank you, Tina!! Sometimes I can imagine exactly what I will do with something when I buy it, and other times I don’t have a single clue! I just started painting these thinking that if they didn’t work out, I still could use the lamp parts because this was one of those times that I had no ideas!! 🙂
Tara says
Exactly my thoughts!! I think I’m pretty creative but when I saw the original lamps I thought WTH is she going to do with those?! And then they turned out amazing! I can’t wait for tomorrow to see what she does with the heart shelf. There’s always tons of them at our thrift store and I cannot get past the hearts!! I, like Donna down below, have never commented before but I just couldn’t NOT comment on this one. Christy is like a magician!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thank you, Tara!! 🙂
Tonia L. Conner says
I think this is the biggest change up yet, not the hardest I know . But I sure wasn’t expecting these. I don’t do nautical, but if I did I would buy these in a minute.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Tonia!! I almost passed on them, but so glad now I didn’t! 🙂
Cristina says
They’re simply adorable, Christy! The new shades fit them so well, but the best part are the little sail boats, I love them! Your mom is an artist,I see where all your creativity comes from! 🙂 Did she paint them?
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cristina!! She did paint them. She sold lamps back in the day that had a nautical village scene on them all the way around, and she would always embellish the shade a bit to match. She was sweet to do this for me for old times sake. 🙂
Donna M says
First time commenting. Had to. Those made over lamps are adorable. You have, not only a great imagination, but you are also insightful. Who would have thought that those lamps were screaming to be made into a beach theme. Thumbs up!
Christy K. James says
Hi Donna! Thank you!! And thanks for chiming in…I love sweet comments like yours! XOXO
Maggie M says
Ah, much better:)
Christy K. James says
Yes! 🙂
Jane says
I think this is a wonderful idea! A project every day for a month! I have a big stash, but I don’t think I have that much. Great job! The lamps are sweet. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing whats next.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Jane! This really does help me to make a pretty good dent in my stash…just in time for yard sale season! 🙂
Sharon Davidson says
Those are really CUTE lamps and embellishing the lamp shade really set it off too
(go mom)!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sharon! I’m glad you love the shade detail as much as I do! 🙂
Marilyn Stein says
These are darling, Christie. I never cease to be in awe of your vision. I do think the boats on the shades are the crowning touch–kudos to mom! It looks like they’re painted on? I only which I had that kind of talent…
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Marilyn! You are so sweet! My Mom did paint the sailboats on. 🙂
Constance says
How in the world do you get so many projects done?!! Do you have magical powers? Have you learned the secret of STRETCHING time that the rest of the world doesn’t know? 🙂 🙂 Please oh please share it with me! I’m dazzled by all of your make-overs; I love all of them!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thank you, Constance! Wouldn’t that be awesome?? I actually had the majority of my March Madness makeovers done before this series started. I’ve been working on them for a couple of months. If I do find a secret way to stretch time, you’ll be the first to know lol! So glad you are enjoying this series so far! Lots more still to come. 🙂 XO
Becky says
Such a cute transformation! I especially like the addition of the glass knobs. The lamps shades are perfect with the sailboats! You have a mom worth her (sea)salt hee hee! ; )
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Becky! And ha ha thanks for the chuckle! She certainly is! 😀
Linda K says
This fun series truly explains your sites name, serialdiyer.
Christy K. James says
Ha ha…so true, Linda! 🙂
Brook says
I ADORE these!! Great job!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Brook!!
Bobbie says
I love what you did with them! You never cease to amaze me with your creativity!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Bobbie!! XO
Rebecca M says
The sailboats made them! Adorable!
Christy K. James says
I agree, Rebecca! Thank you! 🙂
Tania says
GET OUT!!! Those look SO great!!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thank you, Tania!! XO
Rose L. says
I was trying to guess before seeing what you’d done…maybe she painted them with flowers all over, maybe she painted birds on them, maybe she painted a rainbow, maybe she did them a bright color like red or yellow. I LOVE what you did! And the new shades with the little sailboats are the perfect touch!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose! I’m so glad you like how they turned out, although I do love the idea of painting flowers on them! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Those look totally different! Love them now! And your mom’s old lamp shades are perfect for them!
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
I thought these would be so cute for a beach cottage in the outer banks!
victoria says
Ha¡¡¡ they are so lovely, nice and sweet… ok Now I understand where your talent comes from …your mom¡¡ She is such an artist and has good taste in making those little boats, congrats to her from a spaniard fan….
Kisses¡¡
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Victoria! Yes, my Mom was always painting, sewing, crafting when I was young. She is definitely who I get my creative spirit from! XOXO
Rita says
I love these! Must admit, I was beginning to feel every makeover was the same – just paint it white – until this amazing creative idea got my juices flowing once again. Thanks for the great ideas!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rita! I do use white a lot, but my hope is that my readers will be inspired to take my ideas and put them to use using the colors they love. I do have a bright and cheery post planned for tomorrow though…stay tuned! 🙂
Marie, the Interior Frugalista says
Wowee Christy, those lamps are fabulous! Talk about crap to holy snap!!! Did your Mom hand paint those adorable sailboats? These are going to be gone as soon as you put them in your booth (if they haven’t sold already).
Christy K. James says
I know, right?? I was so pleased they turned out well. My Mom did paint the sailboats and I just love them! I do hope they sell fast! 🙂
Traci Rickert says
I love reading your posts to see the wonderful transformation you do…I always like to look at your BEFORE pictures and try to imagine what I could do with them before heading on to your AFTER pics….I can usually come up with something creative (not nearly as great as yours!) but on this one all I could think of was ‘parts….yup that is about it…parts’ and then WOW….
Christy K. James says
You are so sweet, Traci thank you! Ha ha I really wasn’t sure I could do anything with those lamps but use the parts. ????