Before and After lamp painting and adding a new shade!

Dec 02 2015
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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.

Painting a gaudy old lamp and adding a blue shade for a whole new look @GrandmasHousDIY

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.)

Painting a gaudy old lamp and adding a blue shade for a whole new look @GrandmasHousDIY

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.

Painting a gaudy old lamp and adding a blue shade for a whole new look @GrandmasHousDIYPainting a gaudy old lamp and adding a blue shade for a whole new look @GrandmasHousDIY

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.

Painting a gaudy old lamp and adding a blue shade for a whole new look @GrandmasHousDIYGaudy gold lamp gets white flat paint and wrapped twine for a makeover with a new blue shade, diy, do it yourself, crafts, lamp before and after

Comments

  1. Naomi
    December 13, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Love this project! It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do to update something.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      December 14, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      Thank you! And, no kidding! Paint can do wonders!

      Reply
  2. Pamela Lutrell
    April 29, 2016 at 6:59 pm

    This is a great makeover. Loved how you designed it. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog hop!

    Reply
  3. Diana Petrillo
    May 4, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Liz Jo
    July 13, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    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

    Reply
  5. Helen Fern
    August 1, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
  6. Mary-the boondocks blog
    August 2, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      August 2, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you Mary! I SO agree! Until I added the twine it was missing something ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks again!

      Reply
  7. Edye
    August 8, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    What a great makeover! Love the color you painted it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Blessings,
    Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

    Reply
  8. Mary
    August 8, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Paint is awesome. Good for you to see that the old lamp had potential. You have a great creative eye

    Reply
  9. Sue
    August 9, 2016 at 6:23 am

    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.

    Reply
  10. lorraine Williamson
    August 9, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    love how it turned out love upcycling projects thanks for sharing pinning and sharing have a great week

    Reply
  11. Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories
    August 22, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Heather {Woods of Bell Trees}
    August 25, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    Very nice, I love the way your lamp turned out! Thank you for sharing at party in your PJs!

    Reply
  13. Beverly
    August 28, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    What a great makeover! You’d never know how it looked before. I love the addition of the twine.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      August 28, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Thank you Beverly! I’m so glad we didn’t toss it!

      Reply
  14. Carol@blueskykitchen
    August 30, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      August 30, 2016 at 6:15 pm

      Thank you Carol, I’m so glad we kept it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  15. Sandra Garth
    September 3, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    From a can of paint, oh my goodness this is beautiful!

    Reply
  16. Erin
    September 5, 2016 at 8:33 pm

    I love, love, love your lamp makeover! The paint and shade really make it look like so fresh!

    Reply
  17. Jann Olson
    September 6, 2016 at 1:01 am

    You turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! Gorgeous, good for you!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  18. Carla a.k.a Mrs. R
    September 7, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 7, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you Carla! And no problem with the calling my Tracey, I just updated it! Thanks again for coming by and commenting ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  19. kim
    September 8, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Wow, this lamp went from gaudy to chic-love it!

    Reply
  20. Jen
    September 8, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 9, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      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!

      Reply
  21. Leslie
    September 9, 2016 at 4:11 am

    What a gorgeous makeover! The lamp shade is just beautiful, and the twine really does finish it off perfectly!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 9, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you Leslie, yup I think the twine was the cherry on the top! I like how it kinda turned out nautical ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  22. Jess
    September 9, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    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!

    Reply
  23. Frugal Hausfrau
    September 11, 2016 at 3:39 am

    Great makeover! Love the shade! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!

    Mollie

    Reply
  24. Mariss- no more sore
    September 14, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Quite frankly I also liked the gaudy gold lamp especially the glass part. ๐Ÿ˜› Anyway a great makeover.

    Reply
  25. Linda
    September 14, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    You have transformed this lamp into something quite lovely. It doesn’t look a bit like it did before. Great job.

    Reply
  26. Lisa Ehrman
    September 16, 2016 at 1:47 am

    Super transformation! Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  27. Rania
    September 17, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    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/

    Reply
  28. Charlene Asay
    September 29, 2016 at 3:01 am

    I love this. I am going to be searching for lamps to makeover now ๐Ÿ™‚ THanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week!

    Reply
  29. Debrashoppeno5
    October 6, 2016 at 1:06 am

    What a difference! The lamp looks terrific. I really like the touch with twine. Pinned

    Reply
  30. Carol ("Mimi")
    April 24, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    The lamp looks so totally different! It’s 100% better with the white chalk paint, the new shade, and the jute wrapping. Super job!

    Reply
  31. Mother of 3
    June 2, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    I just love the new lamp! What an awesome shade!

    Reply
  32. Lina
    June 6, 2017 at 10:31 am

    You’re one of my features today at the Sew It Cook It Craft It Link Party!

    Reply
  33. Emily @ The Mommyhood Moments
    June 15, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    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

    Reply
  34. Gentle Joy Homemaker
    July 19, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    The style now looks totally different!

    Reply
  35. Theresa Boedeker
    July 19, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    This lamp turned out so cute. Love how paint will transform something. And the shade makes the lamp.

    Reply
  36. Robin Revis Pyke
    July 20, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      July 20, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      Good luck Robin! It is amazing what paint can do! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  37. Danielle
    October 19, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      October 19, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks Danielle, that lamp definitely turned out better then I had hoped!

      Reply

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