Top

Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

Dated Coastal Lamps Makeover

Hello, dear friends! I’m back with another new makeover from my haul today! A set of yard sale coastal lamps are getting updated!

I found this set of lamps for $20 at a yard sale a few weeks ago:

I didn’t love the super boxy shades, but I don’t think I minded these lamps overall in their before state. However, the colors just didn’t speak to the coastal style at all!

On closer inspection, some areas were flaking off, so I started this makeover by using a wire brush to remove any flaking areas:

So much for an easy update! Luckily, not too much flaked away.

Clean

Next, they both got a good cleaning using White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water:

Paint

Once they were good and clean, I was able to move right to painting!

I had hopes of keeping the shades which were an off white, so I chose the lightest ivory we have in the Dixie Belle Line, which is this lovely Magnolia color for the center area, just to brighten them up:

Then, for the rest of the lamp, I chose this coastal Duck Egg Blue that I mixed 50/50 with Cotton:

This brush came in handy for getting into all the small areas…it’s from a new small paint brush set I added to my shop with a great price point at only $10.99. You can find them HERE.

Sand

Once I got everything painted, I lightly sanded with a fine grit sanding sponge. These are great when you just want to smooth out the paint but don’t want any distressing:

Seal

And finally, it was time to seal! I cut a small piece from the blue sponge applicator to apply Clear Coat in the satin finish:

This made it super easy to get into all the small areas!

Now this is where I would normally share the after, but there was one teeny problem…

The shades were awful!

I wish I would have taken a photo, but they just looked too dark and heavy with the bright new coastal feel of the bases.

So instead of getting on with the staging part, I grabbed my keys and headed out to solve my dilemma!

I decided I would try painting them since I already had $20 in this set of lamps, and new shades would take me way over the top!

So, I stopped in at Home Depot to grab a can of flat ivory spray paint, but they only had satin. I have found that satin doesn’t work quite as well, so I opted for some spray chalk paint instead.

FAIL

Not only did it stink to high heaven, it looked absolutely awful!

Plan C

I had no choice but to run back out and find a solution. Luckily, I have a Home Goods right by my house, so I headed there and guess what I found??

That is a set of two shades on clearance for only $15!! They were originally $29.99, so that saved me a bundle! A single shade this size would run me $16.99 there and in the twenties elsewhere. Shade prices are crazy!

Paint, again

However, once I got them home, they were too white against the Magnolia, so I had to paint them Cotton to match the shades…

Bummer because I really liked the softer ivory color, but it had to be done!

Now let’s see the after of these trouble makers!

Coastal lamps Makeover

Light, airy, and fresh, and they definitely say coastal now!

Coastal lamps Makeover

They fit right in here in our living room!

Coastal lamps Makeover

I chose not to distress or highlight the center areas as I like them nice and clean!

Coastal lamps Makeover

 

The finials aren’t anything special, but they got painted as well…

 

Coastal lamps Makeover

 

 

So cute now!

Coastal lamps Makeover

Which version do you prefer??

Crossing each piece off is so satisfying!!

I’m working on a fabulous piece for Trashy Treasures Tuesday next week! It’s not part of my current haul, but I’ll tell you all about it next week:

Have a fabulous weekend!!

UPDATE: See how gorgeous these piece turned out AND the huge hiccup I had with it HERE!

XOXO,

 

 

Don’t Miss a Thing!

If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!

EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST

DIY Project Gallery

 

Get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50. No code needed at checkout! Orders under $50 always enjoy $8 flat rate shipping! Most orders ship same or next business day!

Related Posts:

Imagine

All the Possibilities

Let's make something beautiful today!

Comments

  1. The lamps couldn’t have turned out any better. I am so impressed with your color choices and problem solving ability. Wow!

    Reply

  2. Holy smokes! I did not like these lamps, especially the shades, but you’ve changed my outlook. Does the back of the lamp look the same? Totally transformed so nice job!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Jeanne! I was really trying to save money on the shades, but in the end, they had to go lol! The back is just like the front. XOXO

      Reply

  3. Christy, your version is soooooo much better. I wondered what you would do to give them new and improved life. When I saw them in the original haul, I thought it was a fusion of coastal/oriental; or, maybe gnome lamps – you know how the gnomes have their hats pulled down over their eyes. But the new shades give some space between the lamp base and looks much better.
    Can’t wait til Tuesday…love a surprise projecf!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, Janice! Yes, the color didn’t reflect the coastal style at all, and I totally get what you mean about them being “Gnome lamps”. I’m so glad I found those new shades! See ya Tuesday! XOXO

      Reply

  4. Those lamps are PERFECT! And I hope you keep them cuz look how great they look in your coastal home! Absolutely love them, Christy.

    Reply

  5. I was skeptical at first, but silly me. The new shades made a big difference in the overall look of this pretty coastal lamp,

    Reply

  6. I like the nice clean look of them, too. When I think coastal I think fresh and light and bright. That was quite an investment in them so I hope you make good money on them for all your work. xo Diana

    Reply

    • Thank you, Diana! I too think of light and bright when I think of coastal. It ended up being about $18 a lamp, however, I did waste $10 on the chalk paint spray lol, but I should still come out ahead! XOXO

      Reply

  7. those old shades looked padded or something, and I feel like they were too long on the lamps. Maybe it was just the angle of the picture. Could you have painted the lampshades with Magnolia? they look beautiful.

    Reply

    • I thought about replacing the harps that hold the shades with taller ones, but I just didn’t love the boxiness of these shades anyway. Painting shades with chalk paint takes several coats and then when you turn the lamps on, it looks terrible through the shades. I learned that lesson already. I was thinking the spray chalk paint would do better, but nope! Regular spray paint in flat does well though…wish I could have found the color I wanted in flat! Thank you, my friend! XOXO

      Reply

  8. Biiiig improvement! I love that Magnolia color too, but, you’re right…it needed to change to match the shades. These turned out so well!

    Reply

  9. Hi Christy, these are perfect! They look now the way these lamps should have always looked! Perfect shape and sized shades too! When you look for shades, do you always know the size & shape you need? Lovely! Looking forward to see that armoire you featured. Pet Layla for me!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Liz! I just kind of eyeball the shades. I did buy these as well as larger ones to try, and luckily, these ones worked out well! XOXO

      Reply

  11. Great save, Christy! But what a lot of running around you had to do. Wow. It all turned out great. Great job!

    Reply

  12. When you paint lamp shades do they look ok when turned on? I’ve done paint inlays and that was a fail! Just wondering.

    Reply

    • I have used flat spray paint, and it did great, and that was with dark shades. However, chalk paint or any paint you have to paint on looks terrible when turned on. I had hoped using a spray chalk paint, since I couldn’t find a flat ivory spray paint, would work better, but nope! XOXO

      Reply

      • Thanks!!! Lampshades are so expensive. I buy them when they are on sale or at garage sales.

        Reply

        • You’re welcome! They really are so pricey. I too scoop them up whenever I see a good deal on one! XOXO

          Reply

  14. Great treasure overhaul, love them!!! Great eye. I’d be keeping them too! Thanks for sharing the shade fails, that will save me time, and reinforces similar I’ve read. If you really liked the softer color you could paint the shells themselves that color! Maybe make for more depth, idk.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Linda! I’m glad to share what works as well as what doesn’t…chalk paint is a no go on shades lol. And I do like the idea of highlighting just the shell, but they are sealed and done ha ha! XOXO

      Reply

  15. I definitely like the updated version. The previous shades were weird – they came down too far, in my opinion. Glad you found the new ones!
    ????Cecilia

    Reply

  17. I love what you did with these lamps and I agree with what others said about the original shades, being not the right style, and too big. Thank you for all of your great ideas and all of your makeovers.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Mary Jo! Yes, they were just so awkward! I am so happy to have you following along with me! XOXO

      Reply

  18. So much better. Pretty and beachy.
    You mentioned that chalk painted shades don’t work w the light on….
    What if you used some kind of primer 1st ? Just wondering.
    These do fit well into your home. Keeper…?
    Bet you have ‘keeper’ issues often ! 🙂 (I would)
    Can’t wait for the cabinet you’re doing for next week !!
    Love unique standing and wall cabinets. (prob a keeper for me 🙂 )

    Reply

    • Thank you, P! I’m not sure about the primer helping, but if you can find the color of spray paint you need in a flat finish, that is the way to go! And yes ha ha…I want to keep SO many things! I do have a cute set of lamps for this table already though, so these will be heading to my booth. See ya next week with that cabinet…now that might end up being a keeper lol! XOXO

      Reply

  19. Christy, The Miracle Worker!!! I thought, “no way I’m going to like those lamps.” Haha!! Why do I doubt a genius like you?? The lamps turned out so perfect!! I love them!! Have a great weekend sweet lady.
    Kathy W
    oxox

    Reply

    • Ha ha thank you, my friend! I didn’t think they looked so bad before until I redid them, and now looking at the comparison…they were pretty bad lol! XOXO

      Reply

  20. Oh my gosh they are beautiful! They go so well in your home! Once again your determination is amazing to stick with them, and once again turned out fantastic!!

    Reply

  21. Christy,
    Did you just purchase this “Chifforobe” from the VB Antique Market? I’m asking, because I was there when something very similar was being loaded into a vehicle. I almost approached the people to ask what they were going to do with it. I had one & made a baby armoire out of it for my grand-daughter.

    Reply

    • Hi Patricia! I sure did! They were loading it into my minivan woohoo! It would be lovely as a baby armoire. I worked on it all weekend and will be sharing it tomorrow! XOXO

      Reply

  22. I’m from the Midwest so more woodsy than coastal but those lamps turned out so cute. Great call with the new shades. And thanks for the do and don’t tips when painting lampshades. Your posts are so helpful.

    Reply

  23. Hi Christy
    I have a few pieces to restore too and I dream of being able to do them the way you did. You are amazing! Thanks for showing us what you do!

    Reply

  24. This is a crazy-good transformation lady! The shades you got look so much better on them the original ones. Sometimes things don’t work out like we hope because the end is suppose to be different than we planned. In life and in beautification.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe

Get two new makeovers delivered each week!

Get 30 

Thrifty Makeovers

in 30 Days!

Each day for 30 days, I'll pop into your inbox with a thrifty before and after!

You're sure to be inspired!