Happy Thursday, beautiful friends! I have a simple makeover for y’all today! Aren’t those the best sometimes?
I’m not usually drawn to roosters, but when I spied this lamp at the thrift store with a price tag of $6.25, I knew I had to bring it home:
The shade was pretty jazzy, but it was yellowed and cracked on the inside, so it couldn’t be saved.
It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint and a new shade can do for a lamp:
It looks so much more fresh and updated, don’t you think?
I found this shade at HomeGoods for $12.99. Although their selection is small, they have decent shades at good prices. Together with the lamp, it still makes this lamp less than $20.
I painted the rooster in Cotton by Dixie Belle (find it in my shop HERE). Cotton is a nice bright white. I used a couple of different brushes to apply the paint and get into all those crevices, including an older version of this one. Spray painting would have been easier, but I love the texture you get with chalk paint.
I gave it two coats and then lightly sanded here and there with 220 grit sandpaper to bring out some of the details…
I opted not to apply a sealer this time and just kept the matte finish. A spray sealer would be easy enough to apply if you wanted to.
You may remember these thrifty decor items I shared previously:
I shared the candlesticks as part of The Rest of Thrifty Haul #2 back in March. Here’s a closer up from that post:
I had taken them to my booth and then brought them back home. I just love them so!
I shared that small white rose arrangement in a post sharing How to Make a Faux-Real Flower Arrangement using a fake water product.
I love being able to create new decor items on the cheap!!
I am so excited to be able to cross another project off my to-do list!
If you missed any from this pile so far, you can visit them here:
$6 Thrift Store Bench Makeover
Here’s another lamp I redid in 2017 that you might remember:
See how this one looked after HERE!
That one was only $3!! Lamps can be so pricey to buy new. If you’re in need, consider hitting up the thrift stores first.
I’ll be back on Tuesday with this $10 yard sale chair:
UPDATE: Check how fresh and updated this little chair looks now HERE!
I hope y’all have a fantastic weekend!
XOXO,
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Britt says
All my hack I am not much of a rooster person either.. but this?! I just love it it is so cute and charming! Great job. As always❤
Christy says
Thank you so much, Britt! I’m with you…I actually really like it now ha ha! XOXO
Holly says
Now I would have walked right past the original rooster lamp. Who knew it could look so different ? It looks so good now, simple, clean and even elegant.
Christy says
Thank you, Holly! Just changing the shade made a big difference! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is so beautiful now! I have a rooster lamp that I need to redo, now I know how to tackle it! Yours turned out beautiful, thanks for the tutorial for doing it!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! Paint to the rescue as always lol! XOXO
Petra says
Very, very nice – and I like the simple shade – everything looks better in white 😀
Christy says
Thanks, Petra! Yes, white paint is magic for sure! XOXO
Sandra says
I have a chicken lamp also…now I know what to do with it. Thanks.
Christy says
My pleasure, Sandra! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
Perfect in white Christy! And the shade really updates it as well. Way to go!
Have a great weekend!!
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! Yes, the shade made a huge difference! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Mary Ann Camillo says
Really like it, but not enough contrast for me. Think a color wash (yellow/orange/gold) would have made the “feathers” stand out more.
Christy says
Thanks for your thoughts, Mary Ann! Better than the before for sure though. 🙂
gwen says
that shade was atrocious! good job Christy! i do have a little ‘thing’ for chickens and roosters and own a cute little wall sconce rooster that i already knew needed a new shade – think i’ll be painting it too! thanks, i always enjoy your posts!
Christy says
The shade was very interesting for sure…a little too much going on ha ha! Thank you, Gwen! XOXO
Sheryl Danner says
So cute! I had this same lamp in m booth except the lampshade was in blue and yellow. It sold quickly, but if it had not sold, I definitely would have painted it in DB cotton!
Christy says
Thanks, Sheryl! Glad it sold for you…hoping mine doesn’t last long! XOXO
Kimberly says
I absolutely love the lamp and candlesticks, but also the chenille piece you staged them with. So beautiful. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kimberly! I love layers of white! XOXO
Debbie says
Beautiful lamp! Would you mind sharing how much you’ll price this to sell in your booth? I always look forward to what your are going to tackle next. ????
Christy says
Thanks, Debbie! I just dropped it off today priced at $45. XOXO
Susan Cox says
I always enjoy your makeovers, and this one is no exception. I do have a question that’s always bothered me–when you’re fitting a new lampshade onto an old lamp, how do you determine what size to buy? I always seems to get them too big or too small–is there a simple formula to help me make the right decision?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! Good question…I just try to make sure you can’t see any of the parts where you turn it on from the bottom. Then I really just eyeball it and see if it looks right. This one didn’t look bad with a smaller shade, but I liked the larger shade better. Sorry, I don’t have a better answer! XOXO
LeAnn Hileman says
Wow, you brought that lamp up about 3 decades from its 80’s yuckiness. May I say too that you are a master at staging, your scene showing off this lamp was just yummy. Good going girl! (I seem to be into alliteration this morning.) haha
Christy says
Thanks, LeAnn! Yes, that old shade really dated it before. And I really appreciate your kind thoughts on my staging…that is something I really enjoy doing! XOXO
Elaine Hodges says
It’s a beautiful Rooster Lamp!!! I probably would have distressed it a whole lot more to see all of the grooves of the Rooster more clearly because it blends in so much with the background on display, but it’s still such a great transformation!!!
Good job!!!!! 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Elaine! I could kick myself for not using vaseline on this one first to really make it distressed looking. That is the look I wanted, but when I went to sand, it was taking it down to this gray color below the outer brown layer so I had to be really delicate when sanding. I always get excited to just grab my paintbrush and get to it ha ha! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Great find and so refreshing. Cute!
Christy says
Thanks, Larissa!! XOXO
Mary W says
Amazing transformation – I certainly would never have bought that lamp but you masterfully changed it to a GREAT lamp.
Christy says
Aww thanks so much, Mary! That poor shade had doomed it ha ha! XOXO
Kathy McDonagh says
You are a genius makeover artist! This is such a beautiful lamp now. I love getting your emails and also pouring over your site for inspiration.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that SO much, Kathy, thank you!!! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I AM drawn to all things chicken, but I would not have given that lamp a second glance. You, however, can see past the dark finish and tragic lampshade, Christy! Speaking of lampshades, you always pick good ones. I find it challenging to pick replacement shades for lamps. Maybe you can do a video on that.
I can’t believe you brought the candlesticks back home! They are pretty fabulous, though.
Christy says
Oh ha ha! Marcie, you have the best descriptions…”tragic” bahahaha! That is a perfect word to describe that shade! As far as choosing a shade…that’s why I go to HomeGoods or TJ Maxx for my shades because they only have updated styles. I try to stay away from a tapered shade because they can look a little dated. You can’t go wrong with a drum shade where the top is the same width as the bottom. And yes…I staged a piece a couple of weeks ago and I was looking for something to stage with and wished I had those candlesticks as they would have worked perfectly, so I brought them home on the next trip lol. Have a fabulous weekend! XOXO
Marie says
Wowza, now it has such lovely farmhouse charm! I’m not even a fan of rooster decor but I’d definitely give this lamp a second look after you worked your magic.
Christy says
Thanks, Marie! I even had thoughts of keeping him ha ha! XOXO
Kathleen Hicks says
I am totally disappointed all of it is white.
Christy says
I love white and would paint all the things white if I could! 🙂
Ruth Anne says
Love what you did with the rooster lamp! I have a red one that is faded with a shade that needs to be replaced. If I can make it look as good as yours, I’ll be extremely happy! Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Ruth Anne! Glad I could inspire you to give yours a little lift, and I’m sure you’ll make it look fantastic! XOXO
Julie Briones says
this rooster lamp is now adorable! I love the shade, too! And, I’m glad you got to keep those candle holders! 😉
Christy says
Thanks, Julie!! I kept eyeing those candle holders every time I stopped in lol! XOXO
Kalli says
Hey there! I just love all your make overs:) I was wondering if you have posted anywhere how you price these pieces in your shop? I’m sure it has changed over the years, especially with your popularity, but it would be helpful to hear how you priced items in the beginning! Thanks so much!
Christy says
Thank you, Kalli! I wish there was a secret formula for pricing. It is based on so many factors so there really isn’t. I take into consideration how much I paid for the item, how much work it was, and how much I would be willing to pay for it. My booth rent is also pretty steep, so that is a factor for me as well. The total out-of-pocket on this lamp was just under $20 and I priced it at $45. I probably could have gotten more for it, but it wasn’t a lot of work and so that’s what I thought was reasonable. You will get better at pricing as you go. If things sell too quickly, raise your prices a bit. If they just sit there, they might need to be marked down. I’m not sure if you have a booth, but see what others are charging for similar items as well. You might like this post which has some pricing suggestions as well: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/10-tips-to-a-successful-booth/ Hope this helps!
Annie says
Love it ❤????❤ So unique!
Christy says
Thank you, Annie! XO
debi jeffery says
Hi, I did this piece about a year ago on a $2 small bedside/table lamp. thought you might like to see it!:) Antique buttons
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/374361787776356864/
Christy says
That is so cute!! I have a lamp just like that in my storage room that used to belong to my Mom…you’ve inspired me! Thanks for sharing! XOXO
Cecilia says
Nice! I actually found a rooster lamp a few years ago that is very similar to yours. I, too, painted mine white only I put dark wax on mine. Looks so much better! The details show up and like yours, a new lampshade gives it new life. 🙂 I just adore seeing your makeovers!
🙂
Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I bet the dark wax really does highlight all those details! XOXO
Naomi S says
That rooster lamp with it’s bizarre shade was what I would call UGLY! But now…it really has style! As I’ve said be-ore, it is truly amazing what a coat o- white paint can do! I mean that rooster has become elegant with it’s white paint and sophisticated new shade. A miracle! You certainly had the vision!
Christy says
Thank you, Naomi!! Yes, white paint can work miracles for sure!! XOXO
Gwen says
Could you tell me where you found the Old Town clock? Love it!
Christy says
Hi Gwen! I found that at HomeGoods a couple of years ago. I wish I had an original source for you. XO