Remember when I said I pay my shop rent with lamps? Well, anytime I come across a pair of lamps at a good price, I grab them up. Whether I’ve got shades for them or not, makes no difference to me. I know I’ll come across the shades sooner or later.
Hold that thought.
I’ve had these buffet lamp bases for WEEKS. No shades. I didn’t even have any prospects. And I was starting to feel like I’d just thrown 8 bucks out a car window. So I stopped by Ross (my absolute Honey Hole when it comes to great lampshades at even better prices!!!) early in the week to see if they’d gotten any in recently that might work.
I walked out with four pairs of shades.
I know.
But you gotta grab them when they have them!
One of the pairs I hauled home had potential for these buffet lamps. The size was perfect, the $4.99 price tag was good. They were just boring plain white, but I felt like I should bring them home. I knew I could exchange or return them if they really didn’t work, but historically I have had crappy luck when I decide to go back to Ross in a day or so and pick up something that I was on the fence about.
First, I gave each base two coats of aqua chalk paint.
And slapped the white shades on my accomplishments.
Crickets.
Enter this:
$3.44 at Walmart
And the world’s smallest glue gun.
And I still wasn’t happy.
The aqua ribbon was an exact match to the aqua paint on the lamp base. They did absolutely NOTHING for each other.
Here’s what I decided to do:
I covered the entire base with Old White and after about an hour and a half I took a damp paper towel and rubbed some of those cool details and brought out a little aqua and some of the original gold color.
Now I love them!
I’m thinking they would be perfect in a sweet little girl’s bedroom!
And off they go to my shop!
I love the ribbon idea but I’m staying away from white shades. I think next time I’ll try it on burlap.
Have a great weekend!
Paige
Blogs I love!
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com
http://www.karensuponthehill.com
http://homeremediesrx.com
http://akadesign.ca
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net
Giiiiiiirrrrrlllll now THAT is awesome! You ROCK with your creativity and talent! Love it! Love it!
Speaking of lampshades, don't ever try to spray paint them. Doesn't work!! I wish we had a Ross around here 'cause you got some deals. Love the way the lamps turned out!!
Love how your lamps turned out! The colors are so fresh together! Great way to update the shades and ad some uniqueness to them too! I hope you have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry
The Curator's Collection & Making Broken Beautiful
Wow Paige!
These lamps receive a new life from you! If I had your vision, my home would look downright AMAZING!!! So thankful you share all these tips so I can come back to them to fix up a few thrift store finds. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #TALENTEDTuesday!
Hope you are having a lovely day so far!
Cheers,
AJ
I love the lamps and shades. I won't be passing by lamps when I see them now that I know what you can do.