I see versions of this project more and more frequently- someone finds an outdated lamp at the thrift store (often brass) and they give it a lamp makeover with some paint and a new shade. And then ta-da, a completely new lamp, for very little cash! So OBVIOUSLY I had to give this a go.
A local thrift store was moving to a new location not too long ago, so the entire store was 50% off- super score! I bought a lot that day, and snatched up this heavy brass lamp for $2.25.
Tall and brassy!
Jon and I both wanted a fresh color for the lamp- something complimentary to, but different than, our living room which is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Silver Sage. I decided to hand-paint the lamp instead of spray painting it, since I wanted to be more selective in my color decision. This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.
So I prepped for painting- well, “primering” first. instead of just painters tape, I used tin foil around the electrical parts of the lamp- the socket and plug- to keep them from getting covered in primer and paint.
Foil as a crafting supply? You betcha!
Foil wherever you don’t want spray primer to go!
Since the lamp was a smooth, shiny metal, I needed to use special metal primer in order to get the paint to stick, so I used my favorite brand.
A MUST-DO before painting on metal…
I gave the lamp two light coats of the primer (which is great stuff, by the way) and let cure overnight before painting.
Just white for now…
And I know it’s difficult to see in this photo, but I painted the lamp in a nice shade of lilac.
A pretty lilac!
Once the paint (2 coats) dried completely, I finished it off with some clear enamel spray.
Last steps- unloading the massive harp (14”, really??) and getting a nice, sophisticated shade to top off my newly transformed lamp. The wonderful folks at Greenville’s Lamp Crafters set me up with a smaller harp and a gorgeous drum shade, and I tell you what- the lamp is brilliantly unrecognizable.
Ta-da! All done.
I love how subtle the detail is…
The newly transformed lamp now lives beneath our Gallery of Vintage Frames that I blogged about a few months back. I love how the lamp makeover turned out and I love that it looks like a boutique purchase… without the boutique price tag.
A good place for it!
And yes, there will be another lamp makeover (or two) in my future!!
Craft on!
S
Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?
Join me on Social Media:
PIN ME!
You May Also Enjoy:
30+ Upcycling Ideas for Vintage Lamps and Lamp Shades
Mid Century Modern Makeover on a Wooden Lazy Susan
Tablecloth Weights / Tablecloth Clips from Horse Brass
Floating Ghosts / Friendly Ghosts from Brass Candlesticks
Halloween Porch Decorations with a Victorian Lamp Post
How to Make a Power Outage Kit and Emergency Lamp…
Such a pretty makeover! Thanks for sharing at Think & Make Thursday 🙂
Thank you so much for attending week 6 of #PureBlogLove and linking your fantastic blog post. This looks really great. I think even I could make this one! Looks really pretty 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you have in store for our party next week Thursday 8 PM EST- Sundays at midnight. Your post has been added to the #PureBlogLove Pinterest board for all to see 🙂 Have a great day!
Nicole
http://picnicnz.blogspot.co.nz/
Stopping by from the Craft Frenzy Friday link up. The lamp turned out great! Was always wondering about the paint actually staying and not chipping off. Good to know about the metal primer. Have a great weekend.
~Sierra & Faith
@Winks and Eyerolls
Sadie, you’re amazing. Love the Lamp. I’m sure your fellow partiers will love it as well. Thanks so much for stopping by #theWeekendSocial. I’ve pinned your link. I’ve also followed you on twitter and Instagram and liked you on FB. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST http://www.theKitchenChopper.com
Thank you so much!!! I followed you on FB and will find you on IG & Twitter! 🙂
I found this post from Frugal Friday Link Up Party. What a great makeover. I love thrifting… I think I am going to pick up a couple of lamps the next time I go… 🙂
It’s so easy and makes such a massive difference- you won’t be sorry, and you’ll never buy a new lamp again!! 🙂
Lovely lamp revamp. I love the new proportion of the drum shade to the lamp base.
Thanks, Donna!! Yes, I was bound and determined to find the perfect drum shade for it! And I spent a HECK of a lot more on the shade than I did the lamp. 😉
Great transformation! I see a trip to the thrift store in my future.
Be careful- it’s addicting!! 🙂
You have beautiful vision for refinishing projects. This lamp turned out so lovely!
Thank you so much, Audra!
I just bought a big ole ugly brass lamp this past weekend at a thrift store. I can not wait to transform it, but it is for our new house, and I am not sure what room I am going to use it in, so not sure yet what color to paint it. Totally pinning this now for future reference!
You won’t be sorry- the transformation is amazing!
What a wonderful transformation; that’s a great color and the shade is a perfect fit! Loving you wall of vintage frames too! Thanks for sharing at VIParty.
Thanks, Betsy!! I wish the lighting were better for photographing those frames…but they make such a perfect statement on that wall. 🙂
The lamp came out great! I desperately need some lamps in my living room. I was planning a trip to TJ Max, but maybe I’ll go to the thrift store instead!
I’m telling you, it’s an amazing way to really improve an old lamp- saves you money- and it’s a better quality lamp than you’d find at TJ Maxx!!
SO pretty! Love the color you chose. I love a good lamp makeover! 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
It turned out wonderful…Looks great….Sheryl….Red Tin Inn visiting from Paper and Fox Link party # 17
Thank you, Sheryl!
I LOVE this SOO much! So awesome and creative! I might just have to do this! Stopping by from Motherhood & Merlot Thursday linkup! 🙂
You’ll never look at a thrift store lamp the same way!! 😉
a lovely transformation and my favorite color too. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Fvaorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Thank you so much!!!
I love the color you chose for the lamp base. A wonderful up-cycle project! Good to see your lovely projects over at Make It Monday!
What a difference, it turned out absolutely beautiful. Visiting from Merry Monday Link Party, thanks for sharing!
What a great deal, love what you did with this.
1.What brand of clear enamel spray did you use after the paint had dried?2. Do you have a good tip on where to buy lampshades?3. I LOVe your lilac lamp!I’m off to good Will and sal. Army today, inspired!Thank you!!!
Hi there! I sent you an email- let me know if you didn’t receive it!
Thank you for sharing the thrifty lamp with the expensive shade on Make It Monday. So glad you came over.
This lamp turned out so beautiful!!! Well done my friend!
Thank you, Carmody! And thanks for the feature!! 🙂
Love the color of paint you chose – the lamp looks great!
This turned out beautifully! Thrift store light makeovers are always so much fun. 🙂 Love your style!
$2.25…amazing. The thrift store is a perfect place for lamps and even shades that just need a little DIY love. Great find…and thank you for linking up to Found & Foraged!!
I love it when we can make thrift store finds beautiful again! Thanks so much for sharing it! I hope you will stop by the Found & Foraged Linky Party next week too! (Saturday @ 8PM CST) Hope to see you there http://www.thebigrevealblog.com!
It’s looking great now!
This is so awesome! great project! Pinned! Hope to see you back at Found & Foraged Saturday night at 8PM! Thanks for linking up!