Hello, beautiful friends, and thank you for stopping by today! I love when you visit! I have a set of French labels buffet lamps to share with y’all. You’ll see what I mean by that in a minute.
Here is how these lamps started out:
As you can see, one of the lamps was missing the harp that holds the shade, but luckily, I had a set that matched in a similar size.
I paid $6.99 a piece for them at the thrift store. Pairs of lamps aren’t always easy to find, so I nab them when I find a set I like.
I’ve redone a couple sets of buffet lamps HERE and HERE.
These ones didn’t get a chance to sell because my mom claimed them right away!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
I started by using my shop vac to remove any dust stuck in the details. I don’t expect lamps to be handled much, so a good wipe down is all they really need as prep.
Paint
I chose Caviar for this pair and applied that with my Belle Brush since it gets into those small details so nicely:
I was originally going to paint them all black, but I had another idea as I was painting these, so for that, the center post needed to be white.
They got three of coats of Cotton:
Messy painter! Once I had them solid white, I went back and touched up the boo boo areas with a small brush. Then, I sanded to smooth with a sanding sponge.
Adding Classic Vintage Mini Labels
I decided to add a few few mini transfers from the Classic Vintage Labels transfer:
There are 26 mini transfers in this set! That leaves plenty for a fun project like this!
I found a few that I liked, and after measuring around the posts, I cut them to fit:
(Find this cutting mat set HERE. It comes with a straight edge, and you just run the rotary cutter along it for super straight cuts on paper, fabric, etc.)
Then I burnished them to the surface, starting at the bottom:
I kept going until all the white area was covered…
Seal
I sealed with Rust-oleum Clear Satin spray sealer this time as it was just easier.
The shades
The shades started out red, and I did not want to spend more money to replace them, so I spray painted them!
I had this Ultra Matte Black Rust-oleum spray paint left over from a Halloween project that was perfect:
I’ve used satin before and I like the results of this much better!
I gave them a few light coats and I was still getting a tiny hint of red, so I left them to dry overnight. They got a couple more coats the next day, and the coverage was solid.
French Labels Buffet Lamps Reveal
Here is how they turned out:
Ooh la la!
I thought this would be a fun way to update this pair. No distressing needed…
A little closer…
It was fun choosing pieces of this transfer to use!
And the other…they are both different:
Oh and here is a closer look at the shades…
Fabulous, right??
I told you my mom grabbed these right up. I hadn’t tested them lit, but she said they do show a bit of red when they are turned on. She said it casts a nice glow, so she doesn’t mind. Just keep that in mind if you decide to spray red shades.
These were missing the finials, so I found these ones on Amazon…
They finished this pair off perfectly!
This is one of my most-used transfers.
Check out ten more projects I redid using this transfer set below:
See them all HERE!
I’m moving right through this haul!
See anything you may have missed or revisit favorites below:
Painting Furniture with Silk Mineral Paint (The large and curvy dresser.)
TWICE Painted Plant Stand Makeover
Elegant Flatware Box Makeover
Mini Lane Cedar Chest Makeover
DIY Herringbone Tray
Whitewashed Side Table
Sewing Basket Makeover
Louvered Door Cabinet Makeover
Painting the Smalls #25 (SIX mini makeovers!)
Shoe Shine Box Makeover
Metallic Vintage End Table Makeover
I’m playing hooky with my sister this weekend, so I won’t have anything new to share on Tuesday, but I’ll still have something!
UPDATE: I reshared this beauty that was actually a hot mess:
See what I did to update it HERE.
Have a fantastic weekend!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Elena Stancu says
Hi Christy, really fabulous!
xoxo Elena
Christy says
Thank you, Elena! XOXO
Mary Kasier says
Oooh la la, so elegant! I love them! I love the spray painting of the shades, the texture still came through, so pretty! That was so nice for you do make them over for your Momma! Have fun with your sister playing hookey, sounds like a fun time to me!!
Christy says
Thanks, Mary! The shades turned out so good for sure, and my mom loved them! Yes…ready for a girl’s weekend! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Beautiful and very tres chic! I’m getting ready to redo a pair of lamps….i just may change my plan for them…hmm.
Christy, you never cease to create beautiful pieces and so graciously share your ideas, and vast experience
Happy Easter, beautiful lady!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janice! You know I love to share, and I always appreciate the super kind feedback! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I never would have thought to use a transfer on a lamp but they look so pretty. Don’t worry about not having anything new Tues, just enjoy your time with your sister; nothing like siblings.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! The transfers were so easy to apply too because they were small. And yes…looking forward to a girl’s weekend away for sure! XOXO
Rhonda L Taylor says
Love these lamps. I have a similar lamp that I am going to try painting the shade with paint, also.
Christy says
Thank you, Rhonda! The matte sheen worked so nicely. Have fun with yours! XOXO
Sharon says
These are stunning! I have a similar pair that I made over once but haven’t sold in my shop. I think I am going to pull them out and try this ! This isn’t the first time one of your projects have inspired me! 🙂 Thank you!
Christy says
Oh yay! Being inspired is the best! Thank you, Sharon! XOXO
Sharon says
I love being inspired by others! 🙂 I have a small shop in Blairsville, Ga and am a fellow Dixie Belle Retailer. I have referenced your blog several times when giving inspiration for paint colors. I have had a few folks reply that they follow you too!!! xoxo
Christy says
Oh I love that! Thank you for sharing me, and it is always nice to meet a fellow DB retailer! 🩷
Nana Diana says
Those are really cute! I have spray painted shades before, too, with good results. I really like black shades in a room where you watch TV, etc. It gives good light without glare.
Nice job!!! xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! I made the mistake of painting them by hand in the past, and spray paint is the way to go for sure! Dark shades are perfect for that ambient lighting! XOXO
Denise says
Wow!!!! They are so elegant! I love every detail. You are such a makeover genius. Thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks. Have a great day. Denise
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Denise! I appreciate that! Enjoy your day too! XOXO
Mary Smart says
Christy, I can see why your Mom claimed the lamps. They are stunning! They look like designer lamps.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! She wasn’t leaving here without them lol! XOXO
Sue says
The details really show now and I love the transfers! Beautiful redesign.
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! They were fun to work on! XOXO
MrsSW says
Very dramatic!
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! XOXO
Joanne says
Ooh La La is right! These turned out fabulous! Great job, as always. Nice to know that paint works on fabric.
Christy says
Thank you, Joanne! I’ve tried chalk paint on shades in the past with terrible results lol, but matte spray paint works beautifully! XOXO
gwen says
I love these Christy! I’m imagining using some pretty pink flowery transfers and then painting the shades pink! NOW, I only have to find the lamps – ha!
Christy says
Thank you, Gwen! Ooh I love that idea! So many possibilities! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Robin Simonds says
Wow! Not what I was expecting. These turned out beautifully. Love this.
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! Glad I was able to surprise you! XOXO
Cyndi says
Wow. These are so creative! I wouldn’t have thought of putting several tranfers on like this. I have a pair of candlesticks this might work on. 😉
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I’m so glad that work out nicely…this idea would be great on a pair of candlesticks! XOXO
Olivia says
What a great idea to put transfers on the lamp posts! You’ve inspired me to paint one of my small lamps black.
Christy says
Oh yay! Have fun with yours! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, these are lovely! Great job! Did the transfers all wrap around the lamps to cover completely or were there any open spaces?. I was just curious. Your mom is enjoying these for sure! The slight red glow probably looks awesome at night! Ooh la La!
Christy says
Thank you, Liz! They did wrapped around completely, but the tapered shape of some did leave some bare spots. I just cut small pieces and filled those in. And yes, my mom really loves them and kind of likes the red glow too lol. Kiss Laila and Luci for me! XOXO
Mary says
Wow Christy! This transformation is amazing! I would have never considered spray painting shades OR using transfers on the lamps in the way you did. But wowza! They are beautiful now. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! I am so pleased that the pattern came through on the shades! Have a great weeekend! XOXO
Marion says
Love these lamps – never would have thought of how you transformed them. You are always an inspiration Christy! Lucky mom to get them too!
Christy says
Thank you, Marion! I appreciate that so much! That’s mother’s day taken care of lol! XOXO
Vicki says
I am just wondering. You spray painted the lamps shades. Well when you have them lit will the heat affect the paint on the lampshades. I was thinking maybe use bulbs that do not get hot, just in case.
Christy says
Hi Vicki! These are max 40 watt lamps, so that shouldn’t be an issue…always have to be safe though! XOXO
Cecilia says
How cool! Love how the pattern on the shades still shows up. Fabulous! I can see why your mom wanted them.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! The pattern showed through better than I imagined! I’m glad my mom is enjoying them! XOXO
Marietta says
Hi Christy,
I have been doing lamps too, I do have some pictures on my Facebook page. And there are some pictures here of my new booth opening tomorrow!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066917679438
Christy says
Hi Marietta! I would love to see your booth, but the link doesn’t work for me. It may be because we are not friends on FB? I wish you all the success!! XOXO
Marietta R Walker says
How rude can I be? I planned on telling you that I loved what you did with those lamps, but I was so excited to see them and a bit prideful I think over the ones I have done that rudeness just took over.
I can only claim exhaustion, as they only gave us a couple of weeks to get our booths set up, walls and all. It has been a marathon!
I love your thought to use the labels because I did not on one set and the lamps were wide, with lots of different curves. The decals cracked in a lot of places. Still, it looked kind of cool, more vintage, and shabby chic. So they are on the back table in my booth.
I have a lot to do this weekend so I can be ready to restock after this opening weekend. At least I hope I have to restock!
Christy says
Ha ha no worries! I was so excited for you too! I’ve been away playing with my sister out of town, so I am just checking in here now or I would have responded sooner. I hope your opening weekend was a success!! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Hi Christy. Love what you did to these lamps. No wonder your mom glommed onto them right away! Very cute! Very inspiring!
I have an identical shade to yours. I wonder if spraying it white first might prevent the red glow ??? XXOO
Christy says
Thank you, Caye! She sure did lol. I was originally going to go white and spray primed…only one coat, so it just faded the red a bit, but it might be worth a try to prime them solid…an experiment for the future! XOXO
Kim says
I would have never thought to paint the shades or put transfers on the stem of the lamps…..so fun! And are the tulips in the photo real or fake? If fake please share the resource. Thank you.
Christy says
Thank you, Kim! The tulips are really good fakes I found at HomeGoods several years ago. I see them every once in a while in the spring! XOXO
Petra says
Wow Christy I can see why your mum snapped these up! And those shades came up a treat with the spray 🙂 Another great project 😀
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! The shades really surprised me… they came up so good in the black! XOXO
B says
I love how the lampshades turned out, I think I might have to try this!
Christy says
Thank you, B! I’ve tried it before with satin and they did ok, but they look so good in the matte! XOXO
Michele M. says
What a fun awesome and unique re-do, Christy! I am so glad your mom napped them! Sure are different. Would’ve never ever thought of doing them like that. Well done, ma’am!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! I’m so glad my mom took them too because that took care of Mother’s Day lol! XOXO