Hello, lovelies! I have a quick and easy gold and glass lamp set makeover to share with y’all today! I have been working behind the scenes on a large piece for Thursday, so this little set was perfect to share with you since it took me no time at all to redo!
I paid $7.99 each for these lamps at the thrift store:
I just loved them as soon as I saw them, so in the cart they went!
I actually didn’t mind these shades with these lamps, however, they had several dirty spots on them. When I tried to clean them, that unfortunately left water spots.
So, I headed out this weekend to see if I could find replacements. I stopped by Home Depot first and came across these shades that they wanted $20 apiece for:
Wild!! Next, I headed to Target to see what they had and found these shades that were the perfect size for $15 each:
That price was much better, but that made these lamps now $23 each!
If I were selling these in my booth, I wouldn’t make much on them at all. However, several years ago, I redid this glass lamp, along with two more, and I just loved it so much. I always regretted not keeping it. These lamps remind me a bit of that one, so I will be keeping this set!
Clean
After taping off the parts I wouldn’t be painting, I gave the rest a good cleaning with White Lightning, mixing one tablespoon into a half gallon of warm water:
I then gave them another wipe down with clean water, and I was ready for paint!
Paint
Since I planned to keep these, I chose a simple white using Dixie Belle’s Cotton:
Sand
I gave them both two coats of paint, and once the paint was dry, I sanded to reveal all the details beneath…
Seal
Then it was time to seal the paint. For these lamps, I chose Best Dang Wax in clear:
I applied it with a French Tip brush and used a clean, soft cloth to remove any excess:
Adding a transfer to the Shades
For the shades, I wanted more than a plain shade, and on the lamp I referenced above, I used the Rare Birds transfer on the shade.
This is one of my favorite transfers and comes with six fancy birds:
I chose to use the same one here! This transfer came with a smaller popsicle-type stick, which is perfect for applying transfers to lampshades:
Be sure to keep your hand underneath to support the shade while you burnish the transfer to the surface.
If you want to give this a go on an older shade, be sure to use a lint roller or tape to remove any dust first. (Some older shades may be too brittle.)
Gold and Glass Lamp Set Makeover Reveal
Here is how this set looks now!
I didn’t mind the gold that much, but for my own space, I prefer the white…
I do like that you can see the gold rod down the center through the glass though…just a peek of gold…
The details sanded up so pretty!
And the Rare Birds transfer on the shades was the perfect finishing touch!
These are similar but a bit different:
You might remember seeing this bird on this pretty flatware box I completed recently.
I also used another one of these birds on this upcycled tea box a few years ago.
Gotta love a quick redo!
And that’s one makeover closer to completing this haul!
See anything you may have missed below:
Painting the Smalls #40
Easily Update Thrifted Artwork!
Vintage Picnic Basket Update
$5 Painted Press Back and Cane Chair
Painting the Smalls #39
Make an Old Flatware Box Beautiful!
Painted Pine Dresser
Update Lamps with Paint
Give a dated Shelf Vintage Charm
Update a Jewelry Box with Paint and Decoupage Paper
$10 Night Table Makeover
Update a Mirror with Moulds
Update a Flatware Box for the Holidays!
Yellow Painted Chair
Trashed $10 Thrift Store Table Makeover
Round Wooden Storage Case
Washstand Cabinet Makeover
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to this beauty I’m working on for Thursday!
I’ll see ya then!!
UPDATE!! You do not want to miss this one!! See the prettiest after HERE right now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
I LOVE them with the white and the transfers on the shades! So beautiful! You will have to take a picure of them in there place in your home to show us! I love the white over the gold. They are stunning now!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! I haven’t quite decided where they will go, but I will share when I decide! XOXO
Silke Caito says
Absolutely beautiful! You always inspire me to get out of my comfort zone. I do have a question, when you add transfers to lampshades, do you have to seal them at all? Im always worried that the heat from the lightbulb will mess up the transfers! Thank you so much!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Silke! There is no need to seal the transfers on lampshades since they won’t be handled much. Those transfers really want to stick, so they are fine! XOXO
Nana Diana says
The lamps turned out cute. They were okay before but that ‘gold’ was very dated looking. The shades are the perfect finishing touch. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! I agree the gold was a bit dated for sure! XOXO
Jackie C says
Love them! The Golden Globe through the glass blends perfectly with the birds. You’re so right on and older lampshade. they do get brittle. I found that out the hard way. When I did a shade the last time, there was kind of a shiny outline on the transfer. I used a soft piece of cloth, while supporting the back of the shade with a tightly rolled up dish towel, then burnished the transfer. That helped a lot. You don’t often keep pieces, this will look beautiful in your home. Have a great week!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! Yes, I have had to be very careful with a couple of the shades I’ve done. Using a rolled up dish towel for support is a great idea! I’m not sure where they’re going yet lol, but I just can’t let them go… yet ha ha! XOXO
Jackie C says
I have a love-hate relationship with my voice dictation. It never understands me. That was supposed to say “Golden glow” 😂
Christy says
Funny that I didn’t even notice that…I read it as it was supposed to be ha ha!! 😛
Irene Sokol says
I hope these lamps are prettier than they show on my screen, not exactly what I like. Two things, I love the shape of the original shades and would have tried to paint them and secondly not fond of the white paint with the glass. Maybe a frosted effect in a soft color would have been niceon the glass.
Christy says
I appreciate your input, Irene! These are for me, so I did them to match my own home…I just love them! XOXO
Sheila Ruggirello says
I love the little glass lamps you did this week and especially the birds on the shades. Adorable
I have had shades that were spotted and got water marks when cleaning but I found out if I quickly clean and soak the whole shade and let it dry naturally it usually dries even.
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! I was thinking that if I had wet the whole shade, that would have worked better, thank you! I might try again. I did save them for a future lamp project just in case! XOXO
Josee says
You and your work are a treasure! I can’t wait to see what you do with the next piece. My family has a whole bedroom set that is exactly like the one you are working on. Ours is probably over 150 years old so I am wondering what you will do. Blessings
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my friend! I fell hard for that peice when I saw it. I hope I did it justice!! We’ll see! XOXO
Kathy from JAX says
What a beautiful set these turned out to be. Yes…definitely a keeper. They’ll look so nice no matter where you use them. I clicked on the glass lamp that you referred to….didn’t see that one. Just FYI. Have a great day. Hopefully you didn’t get hit too hard with more snow! UUgghh!
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I’m excited to see where I can put them now! And I’m glad you found that lamp. We did get snow on Sunday night, and school had a two hour delay, but it all melted on Monday. What a wild winter this has been! XOXO
Kathy from JAX says
Ok…silly me…I didn’t scroll down far enough. It’s there. Have a good one.
Leslie L Mack says
If you ever need cheaper lamp shades I found them at Hobby Lobby if that store is available where you live. They are much cheaper than the other stores.
Christy says
Thanks for the tip, Leslie! We do have a Hobby Lobby, but the shade selection was very limited last time I looked…maybe I’ll try there again next time! XOXO
Cecilia says
I don’t blame you for keeping those beauties! They are such pretty lamps! Love these shade embellishments too. Dresses them up just enough. Nothing like a quick makeover!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Yes, I love a quick makeover! XOXO
Cyndi says
Those turned out SO well! They were pretty to start with (I’d have snapped them up too), but now they’re “fresh vintage,” if you know what I mean.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! Yes…that’s a great way to describe them! XOXO
Tina Batori says
These are great. I probably would have added a little gold RubNBuff to both the base and the edges of the shades, but that’s down to personal preference. I always enjoy seeing what you’re doing.
Christy says
Thank you, Tina! That would have looked great too! XOXO
Cletia says
So beautiful now! Amazing what a difference the shape of a shade makes!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! Absolutely!! XOXO
Geri Davis says
The lamps are adorable!! I love them in white. I haven’t tried a transfer on a lampshade yet, I’m too chicken !
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! Maybe try on an old one you don’t care about? Just be sure it’s dust free and put your hand (or another smart reader suggested a rolled up dish towel) under to provide a firm surface. You can totally do this! XOXO
Ruth says
Christy, you are so artistically talented and make everything you do seem so easy 🙂 I have a 2 questions.
1. If I want to spray paint my house shutters can I use white lightning to clean before painting?
2. When you reconstitute paint that’s been sitting for a while what should the consistency of the paint be, on the thin side or thicker side?
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Ruth, thank you! Yes, you can absolutely use White Lightning to prep clean your shutters. As for reconstituting your paint, you of course don’t want it too thick, but you don’t want it so thin that it drips, so a little thicker than ranch dressing, maybe? XOXO
p says
So fresh now. Very cute little lamps. I love the crystal base – and Yes – It does look special w the gold rod still showing.
Nice !!
Christy says
Thanks so much, P! I’m so happy I found one to replace the one that got away lol! XOXO
Lizzy says
Wow! What a difference a little white paint and a transfer can make. They are so pretty now!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! Yes…like magic for sure! XOXO
Karen says
Lampshade prices are crazy in the Northeast, too! What a impact a transfer makes, lovely lamp set. Really customizes the look. This project brought a much needed bit of spring to a winter’s day.
Christy says
I am always stunned at how pricey lampshades are! Thank you so much, Karen! XOXO
gwen says
Love the transfers on the lampshades!
(Any chance of rearranging the comments so your new comments are at the top so we don’t have to scroll so far down to leave a comment?)
Christy says
Thank you, Gwen! I’ll see if I can figure out how to do that! XOXO
Michele M. says
Those turned out absolutely gorgeous, Christy!
I can’t blame you one single bit wanting to keep them for yourself!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! I’m enjoying them here in my office! XOXO