Paint an old lamp white for a brand new look! I picked up this old lamp at a thrift store a LONG time ago. It sat around for years before I finally rolled up my sleeves and tackled it. I’ve seen several posts about how to “create” milk glass all over pinterest lately and I thought maybe I could pull it off here too.
I started by taking the shade off and grabbing my can of white paint that I’ve used on everything at this point. Its a flat acrylic ceiling and trim paint and, I figured, if I didn’t like the flat paint I could always add a coat of clear poly to make it shiny later.
It took five coats of paint for this lamp to totally cover.
I did a little scuffing on all of the gold and glass with a fine grit sand paper before paintingย it. (Note: Spray painting would have been a far better option but I have no place to spray paint here in the winter.)
Looking at the very plain white lamp base when I was finished I remembered I had a roll of twine left over from a couple of other projects and thought, “What the hell.” I really didn’t see how I had anything to lose at that point so I got to wrapping the lamp in two separate places.
I think the twine really completed it and gave it the whole new look that I was going for. In fact, now with the blue shade, I think it has a little bit of a nautical look that I really like.
The lamp shade from Walmart was about $12 and, besides that, I already had the rest of the materials so, all in, this was an incredibly cheapย project and, I think for the little bit of time it took and the little bit of money in cost me, it may be my most spectacular before and after yet.
Truly, it is amazing what a little paint will do! The flat look of the paint has really grown on me too, I think it almost gives it a kiln-fired or clay quality, like an old pitcher.
Love this project! It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do to update something.
Thank you! And, no kidding! Paint can do wonders!
This is a great makeover. Loved how you designed it. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog hop!
Thank you for stopping by!
What a lovely combination of colors and textures, Tarah! You must be so pleased with how it turned out. Thanks so much for linking up with Vintage Charm ๐
Thank you!
It looks amazing! I have to do this with my lamps!
Thanks for linking up with Welcome Home Wednesdays! Live every Wednesday at 7AM CT.
liz @ j for joiner
Thank you Liz!!
Wow! what a difference! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party – and don’t forget to leave a comment at the party! If you post gets featured, a comment gets it pinned and tweeted too!
Helen, thank you!!
Huge difference and great improvement Tarah. I love the addition of the twine as I am a huge twine aficionado myself. And the lamp shade was the perfect way to top it off. Pinning and sharing.
Thank you Mary! I SO agree! Until I added the twine it was missing something ๐ Thanks again!
What a great makeover! Love the color you painted it ๐
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Thank you Edye! ๐
Paint is awesome. Good for you to see that the old lamp had potential. You have a great creative eye
Thank you Mary!
Fabulous DIY I just love what you did with the lampshade. I love the navy and white theme and painting the lampstand. It looks totally different. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon.
Thank you Sue!
love how it turned out love upcycling projects thanks for sharing pinning and sharing have a great week
Thank you Lorraine!!
You did a fantastic job on this lamp, I LOVE the lampshade and the contrast of the navy and white looks classic.
Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup and I hope you linked up with our Pintastic Pinterest Party too. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Thank you Tanya!
Very nice, I love the way your lamp turned out! Thank you for sharing at party in your PJs!
Thank you Heather!!
What a great makeover! You’d never know how it looked before. I love the addition of the twine.
Thank you Beverly! I’m so glad we didn’t toss it!
I love finding old lamp stands and painting them for a new look. Great job and repurposing. I love to cover shades in fabric too. Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design.
Thank you Carol, I’m so glad we kept it ๐
From a can of paint, oh my goodness this is beautiful!
Thank you Sandra!
I love, love, love your lamp makeover! The paint and shade really make it look like so fresh!
Thank you Erin!!
You turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! Gorgeous, good for you!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann, thank you so much!!
Hi Tarah, It’s amazing how a little bit of paint can make such a dramatic difference. I have re-painted a few lamps in my house to go along with the new dรฉcor. I love how they turned out! Thanks for sharing with us at #SimplifyWednesdays Pinned, Shared Tweeted
Thank you Carla! And no problem with the calling my Tracey, I just updated it! Thanks again for coming by and commenting ๐
Wow, this lamp went from gaudy to chic-love it!
Thank you!!
This is absolutely adorable! I would never have thought to update it that way. I love the color scheme. I am a BIG fan of navy and white! Thanks for sharing this at the #happynowlinkup
Thank you Jen!! I went off on a little bit of a wing and a prayer, I think the twine was what really made it!
What a gorgeous makeover! The lamp shade is just beautiful, and the twine really does finish it off perfectly!
Thank you Leslie, yup I think the twine was the cherry on the top! I like how it kinda turned out nautical ๐
SO cute!! I love how this turned out!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks Jess!!
Great makeover! Love the shade! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Thanks!!
Quite frankly I also liked the gaudy gold lamp especially the glass part. ๐ Anyway a great makeover.
Thanks Mariss!
You have transformed this lamp into something quite lovely. It doesn’t look a bit like it did before. Great job.
Thank you Linda!
Super transformation! Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays ๐
Thank you Lisa!!
I love the transformation to this piece. You really brought it to this century and gave it a personality. Looks amazing!
http://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2016/06/06/diy-pallet-projects-organize-beautify-home/
Thank you Rania!
I love this. I am going to be searching for lamps to makeover now ๐ THanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week!
Thanks Charlene!
What a difference! The lamp looks terrific. I really like the touch with twine. Pinned
Thank you!!
The lamp looks so totally different! It’s 100% better with the white chalk paint, the new shade, and the jute wrapping. Super job!
Thanks Carol!
I just love the new lamp! What an awesome shade!
Thank you!!
You’re one of my features today at the Sew It Cook It Craft It Link Party!
Thank you so much Lina!
You take anything and make it fab. I love it. Thanks for linking up! I may need to go to the thrift store soon and get a lamp so I can make it into something adorable for my bedside table. <3
Thanks so much!!
The style now looks totally different!
Thank you!
This lamp turned out so cute. Love how paint will transform something. And the shade makes the lamp.
Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing! I have 2 table lamps that I love but I’m in the process of renovating our master bedroom. I’ve been searching for similar lamps in a different color. I think I’m going to try painting my lamps and changing the shades. Prayers!
Good luck Robin! It is amazing what paint can do! ๐
Wow! I am surprised at how much I like this! Not sure why, but it turned out really cute. I agree with your comment about the flat paint giving it a kind of pottery look. And I love the story about “picking” out the lampshade with your husband. I’ve done that with mine a few times, and it is always a relief when he picks out something that I have had my eye on!
Thanks Danielle, that lamp definitely turned out better then I had hoped!