Hello beautiful friends!! Before I get to today’s makeover, I wanted to announce the winners of my Spring Dixie Belle Giveaway. Congratulations to Cheryl, Theresa, and Kristy! They have each been notified and have actually already spent their loot! Thank you so much to everyone who entered! I’ll have another giveaway in the future, so if you didn’t win, there will always be more chances!
On to today’s makeover!
At the same barn sale where I found the mirror harp I turned into a shelf on Tuesday, I spied this set of lamps:
They were dirty, dusty, and covered in cobwebs, but one of them actually still had the original price tag on it. When I asked how much for the pair, I was told $10 for both…SOLD!
They needed a good cleaning and I took care of that with White Lightning at the same time as I was cleaning the mirror harp from Tuesday’s makeover.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Paint
I started by removing the shades. Then I used FrogTape to cover any parts I didn’t want to get paint on, and gave them both a couple of coats of Rustoleum Spray Primer:
Primer isn’t a necessary step, just a way to get quick coverage!
I followed up with one coat of Cotton that I brushed on.
Adding Decoupage Paper
I decided to bring out this gorgeous decoupage paper that I used on this mirror again:
This is my favorite of all the decoupage papers Dixie Belle has come out with.
I started by cutting my paper to the size I needed using my rotary cutting set to help keep the lines perfectly straight:
I cut the paper just a hair wider so that it just barely overlapped at the back.
To apply it, I just brushed on Clear Coat in Satin:
Then I applied the paper to the lamp and added another coat of Clear Coat in Satin over the top:
Easy!
I sanded a little here and there all over to bring out some of the details on the rest of the lamps and sealed with clear wax. The Clear Coat can pool in all those crevices, so I opted for the wax this time.
Painting the shades
The shades were origianlly an olive green, and while I do like olive green, it’s not a big seller for me. Plus, I knew I wanted to use this pretty paper on these lamps and the olive green just wouldn’t do. However, we are amidst a gas crisis at the moment, and everyone is sold out of gas in my area, so I wasn’t looking to hit the road in search of shades that would work better.
But what I did have on hand from when I painted the mats on the art in my boys’ bathroom, was a can of Midnight Blue spray paint. Hmmm…I decided to give it a go!
I sprayed both the outside and the inside:
It was worth a try, right?
The result
Here’s how this set of dirty, dusty, cobweb-covered buffet lamps turned out:
And the shades?
Not too bad for a quick fix!
If I were to try this again, I would choose flat paint as it is shiny in areas, but the lamps have a texture already and that could be attributed to that. Of course, painting these shades dark limits the amount of light these might put out, but for a something like a sideboard where they are more for looks anyway, it is a great fix!
And how about that paper?? I just love it!
Let’s zoom in a bit…
This paper dries so nicely! It looks like it was always part of this lamp!
This was a fun makeover to work on! I hope y’all enjoyed it too!
Project number two complete!
Woohoo!!
I’ve got another idea for transforming a set of buffet lamps!
See how this set turned out HERE!
Tiling demo in the kitchen is supposed to begin on Monday, so I thought that would be a good time to share our front yard updates!
Here’s a grim reminder of what our front originally looked like when we bought our house:
Scary!!
UPDATE: See how it looks now HERE!!
Have an amazing weekend, dear friends, and I’ll meet y’all back here on Tuesday!!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Petra says
Gosh that really is a transformation. Glad the spray paint worked – I’ll keep that in mind 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Petra!! Me too! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow, those lamps turned out BEAUTIFUL!! I love that paper, it is so pretty. I have a pair of buffet lamps that are so tired looking, now I know what to do to them. Thanks once again for the inspiration! Looking forward to seeing your yard, I am sure that is beautiful as well!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I want to cover everything in that pretty paper lol! See ya Tuesday, my friend! XOXO
Jackie C says
omg.
I’m crazy about that decoupage paper on those. NO ONE but you would think of doing this. Question, since it was basically sealed with clear coat, would you still have to seal with wax? I wonder if the DB paints could be used on lamp shades since they paint fabric and upholstery with it. Ooohhh I think I’ll give it a shot, I have lamp shades I don’t much care for because although they’re light gray, they like ok gold when the lamp is on 😑 and I do not like that.
But now I’m off to look for decoupage paper lol.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Jackie!! No, the Clear Coat is a sealer also, so that is all you need. I didn’t seal the parts with paper with the wax, just the Clear Coat. And I sure bet you could use DB paint on the shades! Had I not already had spray paint in the perfect color on hand, I might have tried that! Good luck with yours! XOXO
Jackie C says
Wish there was an edit button. Autocorrect got me.
idk how ‘Like’ went to ‘ok’
I’ve experienced much worse though and been embarrassed 😂😂
Christy says
Oh I’ve seen way worse typos…some really funny ha ha! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
The lamps look stunning with the decoupage paper on them. I would have never thought of using that technique on them. Great job Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Christy!! These lamps turned out amazing. The shades look almost suede from far away. I love this idea and I have to shop for lamps now. Thank you!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I’m so glad it worked out! XOXO
Donna Moore says
Greetings Christy;
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy your transformations. You have an eye for putting the right touch on everything that you do. I look forward everyday to opening your emails and perhaps one day I will try a make over myself. Meanwhile, I am happy that you are generous enough to share your inspirations with us. Thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Donna
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Donna! Thank you! XOXO
Janice Holt says
That paper looks like it was painted on. They turned out so pretty. Another great make-over. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! If only I were that artistic…this lets me cheat ha ha! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Heidi says
I love what you did with those lamps. Have you ever posted a remade headboard that remained a headboard. I’m looking for ideas and most of your remakes end up as benches. Thank you.
Christy says
Thank you, Heidi! Yes, I do love to chop up perfectly good headboards ha ha! I have only done a couple that I haven’t. I did this child’s set: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/antique-twin-headboard-makeover/ I also painted our own sleigh bed: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-paint-a-sleigh-bed/ I wish I had more inspiration for you! XOXO
Christina says
Wow! These lamps look absolutely stellar! Love the white with just a bit of distressing, the floral decoupage paper looks perfect and the shades are a genius move! 🙂
Congratulations Cheryl, Theresa, and Kristy!
I hear gas will be back flowing in several days. I sure hope so!!
Have a marvelous weekend and don’t work too hard on the tile demo!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I was finally able to fill my tank up last night, thank goodness. This is just crazy…thank goodness things are open and flowing again! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Stunning makeover! The lamps are absolutely gorgeous! I love the decoupage paper you used! The lamps shades turned out pretty as well. Sometimes necessity is the “mother of invention!” They really make the lamps pop! Thanks for sharing all the details. I might just have to give this look on some lamps my mother had! Have a great week.
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! This paper is so pretty! And yes, so true…I really had no choice but to work with what I had lol! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Elizabeth K Downes says
Good Morning, thanks for sharing ….Question?
What makes the decoupage papers different from the regular tissue papers? Just wondering ..thanks…Liz
Christy says
Good morning, Liz! Decoupage paper is thicker and easier to work with without the risk of tearing it. It also allows the air bubbles to escape, so you don’t get those annoying wrinkles that you get with regular tissue paper! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Lovely transformation! I see these lamps all the time in GW and ReStore but pass them up. You have given me a new idea and I can’t wait to go shopping for a pair of lamps:) That paper is just beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I hope you find a set. And this paper is really pretty! XOXO
Gail says
Your ideas always amaze me! I had no idea that you could paint a lamp shade! I was expecting you to cover them with the paper! The entire lamps turned out beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Gail! The only downside is they won’t cast as much light, but if they are mostly just for decor anyway…it works great! XOXO
Paula@SweetPea says
Great makeover! I love the end result.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Paula! XOXO
Meg says
Love this idea! You are so smart!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Meg! XOXO
LORRI says
Not so crazy about the blue shades but understand your dilemma, absolutely love the blue floral paper on the lamps. It was meant to be.💙
Christy says
Thank you, Lorri! Yes, I think nice bright white shades would have been ideal, but I do love the drama of the blue too! XOXO
Vicki Lombardi says
Christy, you are amazing! Love this makeover and I have almost the exact lamps! Question though on cutting the decoupage paper – do you pretty much cut an exact amount to go around the lamp and meet without an overlap? They are so pretty!
Vicki
Christy says
Aww thank you, Vicki! I’m sorry about that…I should have shown the back. Yes, I cut the paper just a hair wider so they just barely overlapped at the back. XOXO
Denise Cox says
Love these!!! And that paper is so lovely … 😍! I like the blue lamp shades and think they add
a nice finishing touch!!! Great job…
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! I agree…I would have gone with white for sure if I had to choose, but I do love the drama the dark blue adds for sure! XOXO
Tina says
A metallic gold or silver on the inside of the shades would help with light reflection if that were needed.
Christy says
Ooh good to know…that would have been pretty too! Thanks, Tina! XOXO
Bev W says
Love! I’ve been wanting to paint my olive green/brown buffet lamps but hadn’t had the courage guess what I’m doing now!!!!
Christy says
Oh yay!! Yes, go for it! Thank you, Bev! XOXO
Char says
Really cute lamps. I inherited a large 80’s lamp. Sprayed it matte black. Watered down brown craft paint and painted stained shade. Looked so high-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Char! Black is always sophisticated…I bet it looked amazing! XOXO
Carolyn says
I love how the lamps turned out!! Thank you for the inspiration, as always :))
Something else jumped out at me when you said “at the moment” ..whatever it is, this too shall pass…and I needed that reminder today. Our house is just running low on patience, haha!
Have a beautiful day!!
Christy says
Thank you, Carolyn! And you are so welcome…it is always a pleasure to share! This too shall pass for sure…I try to not complain about the things I have no control over, but it is hard lol! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Marietta Walker says
Well Yu-um!
Christy says
Ha ha…love that response!! XOXO
p says
Soooo Nice ! You chose the exact right amount of detail for these
tall lamps. 😉 That is a truly great paper pattern, and painting the shades that rich blue makes it all come together beautifully.
Thanks for sharing .
p
Christy says
Thank you, P! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I figured you’d paint them white, but the paper is just amazing, Christy! Never would have thought of that. I have thought about painting lampshades, though, and I love how these turned out. I don’t think the dark shades are an issue because the lamps are small – more for ambiance than lighting up a room.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Marcie! And I agree…the darker shades will be perfect for adding ambient lighting. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! XOXO
Kim says
BEAUTIFUL Christy! I’m on a dark blue kick and would love to recreate your lamps. I just love your projects. I have a non-project question…What is the brand and color name of your nail polish? I have so many bottles of polish trying to find that color. Everything ends up looking pink or red on me. I would love to try that color.
Christy says
Thank you, Kim! I love dark blue…it so sophisticated! I wish I could tell you the color of my polish, but I had them done at the salon. Gel polish is the only thing that can withstand the abuse I put my nails through with paint, etc, so I treat myself about every three weeks! XOXO
Celia says
I love these lamps as well, especially the blue lampshades, they really do look like velvet! Did you apply the paper in a spiral up the lamp or just wrapped it around straight up and down? Do you use throwaway paper to determine the measurements first? I love following your projects and want to do them too!
Christy says
Thank you, Celia! I applied the paper straight up and down, and I did not use test paper first, but that is a great idea! I wrapped the paper and marked where to cut it with a pencil. I love that you leave here wanting to get creative too…that’s the best!! XOXO
Becky says
Lovely! What a cool use of dec. paper!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! Have a fantastic weekend! XOXO
Michele M. says
Never in a zillion years would I have ever thought to papering a lamp.
You truly are a genius. I am not kidding. Your ideas just wow me every single post. You are so gifted with these visions!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Michele! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Lovely! You can do lamps for me anytime!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Rose! Gad you enjoyed these! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Julie says
I stumbled across your page at 4:00 this morning & before I knew it, it was 6:30!!! I have an OBSCENE amount of re-do/upcycle/repurpose projects sitting around waiting for me & you have completely motivated me. Like, I’m in tears. Thank you, thank you, thank you for inspiring me to finally get started! I look forward to spending many more hours viewing your talented re-creations.
Christy says
Oh my goodness, I love this so much! I’m so glad you found me and are feeling inspired! Thank you, Julie! XOXO
Christine Roppel says
Wow! Your lamps look amazing! Love the the floral decoupage paper too!
I do have a question: Is the spray paint safe with the heat of the lamp? Thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Christine! There shouldn’t be any issues with the heat of the bulb. XOXO