Hello, dear friends, and welcome back to another day of thrifty makeovers! Today, I have two lamps that show how easily you can update lamps with paint! My current haul is weird in that most items either need a lot of work or just a little. I decided to group two together that needed just a little! Plus, I sold a few lamps in my booth over the holidays, so I need to get some more in there.
Here is how these two lamps started:
They were both $6.98 each and came with shades.
Clean
I worked on them simultaneously. They both got cleaned with White Lightning to prep for paint:
Prime
Then, I taped off the parts I didn’t plan to paint and gave them both a quick spray with Rustoleum white primer:
They do not need to be primed; this was just to get quick first coat on them!
Paint
Then, they each got painted. For the smaller of the two, I chose Olive Wood by Dixie Belle:
And for the taller one, I ended up sticking with white, painting it in Fluff.
Sand
Then, they both got sanded lightly with a sanding sponge to smooth out the surface:
These sponges are great when you want to smooth out your chalk paint without any distressing.
Seal
Next, they were both sealed using Easy Peasy Spray Wax:
The Shades
For the smaller of two, I didn’t love the original shade, so I looked through my stash to see if I had anything else that could work and found this petite one sill in the wrapper:
I believe it originally came from Target.
It was rather plain, and I knew I could dress it up with a transfer!
I found some of this Pastels Artistry transfer left over from this project and decided to use that to embellish the shade:
This is a fantastic transfer since it is still quite neutral.
To apply it, I held my hand beneath to support the shade while I burnished the transfer onto the shade using a Popsicle type stick:
I find using one of these or my fingernail work better on shades than the larger stick that is often included.
(If you are adding a transfer to an older shade, be sure to get all the dust off first with a lint roller or packing tape, so your transfer will adhere.)
I quite liked the shade on lamp number two, so these lamps were now complete!
Update lamps with paint, The Big Reveal
Here is a reminder of how the first one looked before:
And here it is with its updated look…
It looks so different!
And the shade really changes the look, right?
I just love this soft sage color with it!
Lamp #2
Here’s a reminder of what the second lamp looked like before:
It was actually not bad at all and I love this style of shade! It might even be my favorite style, so the shade stays!
And as you know, the lamp base was painted in Fluff, but I did go back and highlight some of that pretty floral detail with Gold Gilding Wax:
That can be added after sealing since it is oil-based and does not need to be sealed.
Here is the final look:
This makeover is very simple, but here you can see how the gilding wax highlighted those details…
Two simple lamp updates and two more pieces knocked off the list!
See anything you may have missed below:
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
And for even more lamp makeover inspiration, check out a dozen more:
See them all HERE!
I’ll be back on Tuesday sharing what I did with this pine thrift store dresser:
Have a lovely weekend!
UPDATE: See how cute this dresser is now HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh so beautiful now! I especially LOVE the small green one with the transfer on the shade! They turned out amazing! I don’t think those will last long in your booth!
Christy says
Good morning, Mary, and thank you! Now I have some extra lighting to add to my booth too! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Jackie C says
good morning friend, I am so glad you used that color on the smaller lamp. I expected it to be more yellowish green and didn’t think I would care for it. It’s actually beautiful, and another one I need to add to my Etsy cart!
Christy says
Good morning, Jackie! Yes, I love it too…it’s a fantastic shade of green! XOXO
Cecilia says
Ah, the magic of paint! Both look marvelous and it’s amazing how much different they look. Love the added transfer….having done one recently on a shade, I know what it takes to get it on there! So worth it. That green is so pretty on lamp one and the gold highlights on lamp two are a great touch!
❤️Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! They really do look so different now! And yes, as you know, it does take patience to add a transfer to a shade, but it is definitely worth it! XOXO
Nanette says
Both lamps are beautiful and what a difference! Did you put any seal over the transfer on the lamp shade or is that not necessary? I have a lamp shade that needs a little update!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Nanette! I did not seal the transfer on the shade as I don’t feel it is really necessary since it won’t be handled much at all! XOXO
Ann says
Both lamps turned out transformed and pretty. I’m with you–I love the soft sage of the shorter lamp. I never knew that transfers could be used on lamp shades! It opens up possibilities!
Christy says
Thank you, Ann! That soft green is so lovely! I’d love to try it on a larger piece next time. And yes, transfers do wonderfully on shades so long as they aren’t brittle with age! XOXO
Lynn says
Christy does the transfer on the shade stay on good with the heat from a light bulb being on. Did not know if it would make the transfer more apt to come off.
Christy says
Hi Lynn! Those transfers want to stick to everything, so I have found they do well with the shades too, even with the warmth. I would just take care to clean the shade well if it is dusty for the best adhesion. XOXO
Linda says
Agree, love that shape of shade and that type of fabric too. Nice restoration of the two! I really have a thing for lamps, idk why!! No more room for any but they still catch my eye every time, oh what to do, ha!
Christy says
Thank you, Linda! I do too ha ha! I can never leave the thrift store without checking out the lamp aisle even when I already have several waiting for me at home! XOXO
Lucy Caldwell says
The devil really is in the details – especially the ones you can’t see until they’re highlighted so well! Beautiful!
Christy says
Right? Those pretty details often go unnoticed for sure. Thanks, Lucy! XOXO
Josee says
I wish I had a place in my home for all of your lamp ideas. they are really lovely! Blessings
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! XOXO
Lizzy says
They are so pretty. I didn’t think I would like the green one, but I love it! Great work.
Christy says
Aww yay! I’m so glad you love it! Thank you! XOXO
p says
I’m always surprised how every lamp makeover is so transformative – even the simple ones.
I planned to replace my bedside table lamps after my bedroom reno is done. You have made me rethink this. Now – if I could find / know / decide on a lamp shade size /shape …
I’ll be looking thru all your lamp updates (pinned them all)
You are constantly making amazing transformation decisions for a wide range of items – and it seems effortless !!
You definitely have a talent. So glad you share.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, p, thank you! Lamps surprise me too! You often don’t even notice the beautiful details until they are painted. Good idea to rehab your current lamps as they certainly aren’t cheap to buy new! XOXO
Caye says
It sure was a change on lamp #2 just by painting the base. It made the shade look a whole ‘nother color.
Who wouldn’t love that transfer on lamp #1! The colors in it blend so perfectly with the base. Great job on both, Christy.
Have a great weekend my friend! XXOO
Christy says
Thanks so much, Caye! I love when simple changes really update the look of these older lamps! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Kathy from Jax says
Hi Christy. These are beautiful. Love the green and those gold accents really make the details stand out. The transfer on the green brings it all together. If I lived closer that green lamp would be mine!
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I thought I would love the white and gold one more, but that little green one wan me over too lol! Hope you are enjoying your weekend so far! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Two sweet makeovers! Amazing what paint can do to a lamp, isn’t it?~ Happy weekend- Diana
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! Yes! I am always amazed at what a little paint can do! Happy weekend to you too! XOXO
Michele M. says
They are both absolutely beautiful now, Christy.
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! Small changes can do so much! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I don’t know how you always find those metal lamps, Christy! I have three similar lamps and I like the dark finish but each time you paint one, I’ll be darned if I don’t start thinking about brightening them up 😁
I actually liked the original shade on the small one, then you had to go and make it better. I wouldn’t count on either of them sticking around long to light up the booth, you’re going to have to start working on some more!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Marcie! I love the details lamps often have, but they are hard to see when they’re dark. I do hope they sell quickly…I’ll be happy to redo more lol! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO