remember a couple weeks ago when i purchased these lamps from my local thrift store for $5.00 each?
this ‘simple’ project has turned into a headache.
don’t you hate it when diy projects go sour?
problem #1
first i primed and spray painted the bases with a high gloss white spray paint.
the spray paint sprayed a course texture all over one of the lamps, awesome.
after a couple rounds of sand paper and another coat of spray paint, problem fixed.
then remember this lampshade?
it was purchased for $2.00 from my local thrift store.
problem #2
the accordion fabric came off perfectly, then i began applying my white fabric.
when i held the shade to the light you could see the yellow color of the original shade coming through, yuck!
so i thought, how about spray paint the shade white?
bad idea, when the lamp was turned on it was a spotty mess.
unless you coat the shade completely even all the imperfections shine through when the lamp is on.
so, i threw it away!
problem fixed.
i was now on the hunt for a new lampshade.
problem #3
lampshades are impossible to find and when you do they are ugly or SO expensive!
i finally found one at homesense for $14.99, problem solved.
i then applied black bias tape to the top and bottom of the shade
this was surprisingly easy and problem free, finally!
the headache was worth it, i love it!
total lamp cost: $23.00, i am just glad it is over!
That is absolutely adorable! It really turned out great!
Worth the effort! I might copy it!
I like the way the lamp turned out… but love the room it is in — that turquoise side table is gorgeous!!
Gorgeous lamp–and bedroom! Love the Sour to Sweet story, too. It’s always nice to hear someone else’s dyi’s go sour. I think they call that “schadenfreude” (the pleasure derived from the misfortune of others). I’d call it “misery loves company.” I’m in the midst of a lamp shade crisis too. I think my next step is to dip the whole thing in luke warm tea. (You don’t even want to know…)
So happy to have found your blog. And thanks for the nice comments on mine! I’ll be following.
that’s a lot of talent in a skinny person. well done
I LOVE how your lamp turned out. The black bias trim makes it! When I do a lamp re-do I have found some really good inexpensive shades at Target. And the last time I was at Wal-mart they had some nice inexpensive ones too. Your lamp looks right at home in that room!
Well in the end it turned out really nice! What a funny post. We all have projects that go like that–thanks for sharing, and thanks for stopping by my blog!