Project DIY: Ugly Lamp Revamp

We love a good DIY project! Not only is it fun to give new life to old things, it is a great way to keep items out of the landfill. Part of a sustainability mindset is finding ways to use what we already have and therefore purchase less.

The DIY Project: Ugly Lamp Revamp

Why I Love It

Like so many projects I do, I wasn’t planning to find and make over a lamp when this beauty came across my path. But that’s the fun of hunting through thrift stores; you never know what you’re going to find or what object will become an inspiration!  I had found a few Jonathan Adler lamps that I really liked but definitely couldn’t afford, so decided to make this lamp into a (much cheaper) version. 

The Plan

I love a simple look so the idea was to paint the lamp white, update the electrical components and add a white shade – simple and fun!

Supplies List

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• White spray primer
• Gloss white spray paint
• Painter’s tape
• Lamp parts kit
• Lamp shade

The Process

To prepare the surface for painting I taped off the parts of the lamp that weren’t supposed to be painted, lightly sanded the porcelain surface and then primed the whole lamp.  I chose a glossy pearl coloured paint that was suitable for porcelain surfaces for the main paint colour.  Be sure to use a mask and paint in a well-ventilated area!

I allowed a couple of days for the paint to cure, then the lamp was wired and reassembled.  After adding a white barrel shade I think looks like a million bucks…maybe not quite, but certainly more than the $30 or so that it cost!

The Finished Product

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