Lamps
10:58 PM
These lamps were 2 for $10 at a garage sale. Pretty ugly-- the dated gold finish and paper pleated shades.
But that was all going to change.
Lamp Remodel
Supplies:
spray paint primer
spray paint color of your choice
glue gun with a couple glue sticks
fabric to cover shades (mine were 2/3 yard each approx)
bias tape/ ribbon (5 yards for mine)
Base:
Cleaned off and spray painted with gray primer.
2 coats Red spray paint.
SHADES:
I had planned on buying new, but realizing they'd be too pricey, I decided to use the old ugly shades and just recover them.
I liked this lamp with the neutral, textured looking natural fabric shade.
{image from Pottery Barn}
So the cheapest option was burlap since it's the trend right now. I chose "snow white" burlap, which is not white by any means, but the lightest burlap I could find. Burlap seemed like a good option since it's a loose weave, allowing light to go through.
For both large lamp shades it took just over 1 yard. I had purchased 2 yards to be safe.
1. Tear off the pleated paper stuff on the outside of the shades.
Mine came off really easily.
Grab your glue gun!
2. Lay out the shade on your fabric. It will wrap around on the bias. Make sure you have enough fabric to wrap up around on both sides to cover the shade completely. Adjust the shade to fit on your fabric
I was able to wrap width-wise around my lamp shades. I drew the little diagram to show how I laid it on my fabric. Both shades took a little over a yard. The red on the sketch is to give you a rough idea of the shape of the fabric you'll use to cover the shade.
3. Glue on Fabric
Beginning opposite the seam of the shade, (so the front) we (me and my mom) glued a few inches on the bottom, and inch or so at the top, working our way around. Just keep switching between gluing the top and bottom to make it even as you work.
After you have a 1/3 of the shade glued on the bottom or so, you can trim the fabric off of the huge piece, keeping 1" or so past the bottom rim
Just keep working around, pulling your fabric tight as you go to make things smooth.
Once you get around to the back, you'll have the 2 corners that will be trimmed and overlapped to make a nice single seam.
Figure out which side you want to go underneath, and trim the extra off and thinly glue it down the whole seam. Take the other long side and stretch it over the newly glued seam, fold it under where it will cover the under fabric to make the final seam.
3. Press the fold the best you can if you have stiff fabric.
Trim any excess off to about 1/4 - 1/2"
{please excuse my nasty hands...project mayhem has thrashed them}
4. Glue down final seam
5. Trim off excess fabric as close to the edge as you can without cutting the original shade
NOW YOU HAVE THE SHADE COVERED IN FABRIC WITH CRAPPY RAW EDGES TO COVER UP
Keep your glue gun hot
6. Using bias tape (about $1.50 per 4yd pack) glue right on the edges.
I found it easiest to lay the shade on its side and glue around, so I could see the edge clearly to match the tape.
Now the shade is finished! You could also glue ribbon or decorative trim along the rims.
Plop the shade on
close up of the burlap texture on the lamp shade
I loved this lamp make over because compared to buying brand new, it was so cost effective!
The rundown:
$10.00 for 2 ugly lamps
$3.00 red spray paint
$4.00 burlap
$3.00 bias tape
$20.00 total = $10 per finished lamp!
20 comments
Ooooo...I love the burlap shades and that red justs brings a pop of color to the room!! I'll be featuring!
ReplyDeletethose lamps are simalar to two I have out in my garage that I have been wanting to do something with (they belonged to my grandparents and are an ugly brassy gold color). Thanks for giving me a good idea on what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog today and I have been POURING over your projects. They are seriously amazing. I am not creative, and I'm definitely NOT good at finding old junk and making it something new and fabulous. Thanks for sharing your projects and tips! I hope to start making a thing or two of my own!
ReplyDeletereally cute! I've been totally thinking about lamps, the ones in stores are always way too expensive. you did a great job!
ReplyDeletepretty!
ReplyDeleteit's a simply way to make the old one become beautiful..
thanks for sharing and happy crafting...
cheers,
puri
http://idekuhandmade.blogspot.com/
I want, I want! I need these in my house, very nice.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I have almost the exact same brass lamp in my guest room (leftover from the people who lived there before) and I was thinking of doing something similar with red spray paint. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks great. The red gives a nice pop!
ReplyDeleteI just caught up on your last like 8 posts and holy cow girl! I love these lamps, love all the new paint, LOVE LOVE your new/old dresser! You've been busy, and everything looks SO good. I can't believe the difference that the oil rubbed bronze makes on your light fixtures. WOW!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! Love your blog!! Fabulous ideas! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletelooks great! The safe choice would be to pick a neutral, but I love that you chose the red! found you via CSI project, new follower!
ReplyDelete-Ann Marie
Wow, these lamps look amazing! You did a great job...I don't know if I could have the patience to re-do the lamp shades. I am a new follower! Great Blog!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this - I am in the market for a new lamp and this project just inspired me to try to DIY it!
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