Hello, beautiful friends! I love when you stop by to visit! I have another set of lamps to share today from this haul. This one is a lamp set makeover with decoupage paper! There were three sets in all in this haul. See what I did with the first set HERE and the second set HERE.
This was my least favorite set and why it is the last set I tackled. I got them for an absolute steal though at the same yard sale where I found this dated coastal set I redid. Those were $20 for the set, but these were only $5 for the pair!!
They weren’t very pretty though, and they are especially tall and skinny.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
I started by giving them a good wipe down with White Lightning using a terrycloth sponge:
Then, I taped off the cord to avoid painting it.
Paint
I chose Cotton, applying it with the largest brush from this brush set:
That first coat always looks terrible! It took three coats for solid coverage.
Sand
To smooth out the surface and distress some, I used 220 grit sandpaper:
(If you prefer no distressing, these fine grit sanding sponges will smooth out your chalk painted surface beautifully.)
Seal
I sealed with Rust-oleum Clear Satin spray sealer for a quick and easy seal. I wasn’t quite done with them yet though!
Adding decoupage paper
I knew I wanted to add decoupage paper to the tall posts, and I chose this gorgeous Timeless Charm Rice Decoupage paper from Dixie Belle’s Belles and Whistles line:
And I bet you can guess what the paint is for! I’ll get to that in a bit.
To add the paper to the posts, I first cut it to fit using my Rotary cutter and mat set:
To adhere it to the surface, I used Satin Clear Coat, applying it with a small brush from this set before adding the paper, and again to slightly overlap it at the back:
This is rice paper which has a more paper-like feel than the Redesign fiber decoupage papers I’ve been using lately, so the Clear Coat works great for adhering it, but you can use Redesign’s Decoupage Gel also if you have that on hand.
Once it was applied, I added another coat of the Clear Coat over the top to seal…
Rice paper will tighten up slightly as it dries, so it is really nice to work with!
The shades
Now for the shades!
The shades seemed a bit on the small side before:
But I had this set of shades that I had saved from the last lamp set I redid:
While I didn’t love them for the set they came with, they were perfect for this set!
Much better than the originals! They give the lamps a bit more presence. I was not a fan of the color though and they had some blemishes before, so I made sure to remove any dust first using tape:
Then I went in search of a color to paint them. I have had good luck painting lamp shades (like these ones HERE) in a flat or matte finish, but the options are very limited in that finish unless you want a basic black or white.
However, I found this new low-odor spray paint from Rustloluem that had several colors in a matte finish!
This color was perfect with the paper I chose! All I had to do was tape off the metal parts where the shades attached to the lamp at the top and spray well inside and out. It took me about a can and a half for solid coverage.
I have not tried going from dark to light, but going lighter to darker has worked out very nicely.
Buffet Lamp Set Makeover with Decoupage Paper Reveal
Here is how this $5 set of buffet lamps turned out:
Better, no?
They are quite tall, so they are going to need to find just the right space, but I think they are unrecognizable now!
I know I changed out the shades, but white paint alone did wonders for the bases…
And that paper makes them totally unique!
So fun!
And while green isn’t typically a great seller for me, I am hoping someone loves these lamps!
A closer look at the shade…
And these came with great finials too woohoo!
Always a bonus! I don’t always find them in pairs, so to have three sets in this haul was awesome.
I’d love to know what y’all think of this set!
Another one crossed off the list!
Only 25 to go, and I see at least two rounds of smalls in there, so I might actually finish this summer haul before the summer ends!
See anything you may have missed or revisit favorites below:
Chunky Side Table Makeover
Black and Gold Jewelry Box Makeover
Painted Dresser with a Stained Top Makeover
Lamp Set Makeover
Painting the Smalls #36
Painted Lingerie Chest Makeover
Update an Upholstered Bench
Update a Mirror with Paint and Transfers
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I’ll be back on Thursday with SHOP NEWS and this shelf:
You might think it got a simple paint job, right? Nope!
Come back Thursday to hear the shop news and to see what I did with this thing! 😀
UPDATE: No need to come back…check out the awesome after of this shelf HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh how beautiful they look now!! I love the green shades with that paper, they match beautifully with the paper. I would imaginine that those will sell quickly. They would be beautiful on a buffet in someones dining room! That paper is lovely!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I was not a fan of this set before and I was surprised at how pretty they could be! The paint is a perfect match with that paper! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, another bright idea. You took the “ho-hum” right out of these lamps! Now they are charming and “cottage sophisticated.”
BTW, my Josephine mould arrived yesterday and is the perfect size and look for what I need. Thank you for giving me the “finished size” measurements. That information was a huge help!
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! That is a perfect description for them. And yay! That mould is such a good one, and you are so welcome! XOXO
Geri Davis says
I really like those lamps now! I’ll bet they sell fast for you! Thank you for sharing your projects. They always inspire me to do more!!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! Here’s hoping for a quick sale! I appreciate that so much, my friend…happy creating! XOXO
Cecilia says
Wow, those are tall! They look better with the bigger shades. Love the green! The paper accent adds a sweet touch. So much better!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Yes, they are super tall lol, and the larger shades work much better! XOXO
Jackie C says
You had me at green‼️
I love these.
Brilliant idea using decoupage paper. ❤️
I hope your day is a goody, Christy xoxo
Christy says
Ha ha I know you love green! I love this shade of green and I hope they sell for me as green isn’t always a favorite around here. Here’s hoping anyway! Thanks! Hope your week is going well so far! XOXO
Kathy W says
Christy – What do I think?? I think “you’re a magician!!!” The lamps are unrecognizable. What a transformation
I am “usually” not a fan of green but every time you use it on your projects, I love it. The color you picked for the shades could not be more perfect!! You never cease to inspire and amaze me with your makeovers!!!!! Thank you!!
Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
Aww yay! I love that reaction, Kathy, thank you!! I too don’t usually love green, but there are some really pretty greens to play with these days. As always, thank you for the love and encouragement!! XOXO
Carol S says
You stepped out of your comfort zone on these lamps, and they are fantastic! I’ve spray-painted lampshades before, and I do like how they turn out. I wasn’t sure where you were going with the decoupage paper. I’m quite impressed with how awesome that worked. Great job!
Christy says
I’m so glad you like them, Carol, thank you! They kind of remind me of something you might see in Key West with the more vibrant colors! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW!! They are unrecognizable, Christy! What a fabulous re-do!!!! As you well know, I LOVE the color green in nearly all shades. That green is really making a come back. (Never left my world though, haha.) I hope they sell well. Wouldn’t they be gorgeous on a buffet in a 3 season room????? I really like them. Well done!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I do know you love green…this one is such a pretty shade, so I was excited to find it for the shades! Oh yes…perfect for a three season room! XOXO
Laura J. says
Incredible Christy!!! So pretty! In your hands, every thing becomes even more beautiful!
Christy says
Aww you are so kind, Laura, thank you so much!! XOXO
Cyndi says
I love them! Those shades look amazing (and I love the color!).
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cyndi! It’s funny that I didn’t love the shades at all on the original lamps, but I guess they just needed to be paired with the right lamps! XOXO
Rhonda says
I love the transformation! The green color Is refreshing. As unusual—- great job 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Rhona! I love that shade of green and was so happy to find it! XOXO
Charleen says
Those are lovely.!!! I really like the green on the shades. Very decor..Now they look worth their weight in gold(?)!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! I love how well the green worked to update the shades too! XOXO
Andrea says
They are beautiful!! I love the color
Christy says
Thanks so much, Andrea! It’s such a pretty green! XOXO
Heather Taylor says
Beautiful makeover!
I love how the shades turned out, I have 2 black shades that have been faded by the sun so I am off to spraypaint them now, lol!
Christy says
Thank you, Heather! Black does really well! XOXO
Denise says
Love the lamps!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! XOXO
Caye says
I really like them now, Christy! They’re GORGEOUS!
Could chalk paint be used on shades? I ask because I got brave and bought a $7 lamp at the ReStore shop and found that it was 50% off. Bargains! However, it doesn’t have a shade 🙁 So I wonder, since you gave me the courage to buy a lamp (based on your numerous successes with them), can you tell me (us) how to measure for the perfect shade? Also, where does one find finials? Now that I think about it, I’m reconsidering my decision to buy a naked lamp. Did I make a mistake, I wonder?? Oh well. I have to be brave and try something new!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Caye! I have tried chalk paint on shades and it was a no go. It takes a ton of paint since the shade really soaks it up and then when you turn the light on, it looks terrible! That’s just my experience. The same goes for spray chalk paint. As for the fit, I usually jus teyeball it, but I have found that the shade generally needs to be about at least twice the width of the base and be sure you can’t see any of the harp that holds the shade in place. I have had great luck at HomeGoods with shades if you have one near you. I have bought these finials on Amazon when a lamp is missing them. I hope that helps! And no regrets! That lamp will thank you some day! XOXO