
Project DIY: Vintage Lamp Update
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: Turning this two-tone vintage lamp into a statement piece
Why I Love It
I have to confess that I did not like this lamp when I saw it. It was free and I only wanted the lampshade, but needed to take the entire lamp to get it. Having the lamp home, I began to appreciate it more. I liked how solid it was–it had substantial weight to it for such a delicate looking piece.
Once I was able to look past the two tone colour, I also began appreciating the details of the lamp.
The Plan
After Krista introduced me to the Colour of the Year, I chose to go bold and paint the lamp one solid colour. I often use foam brushes to pain furniture, but since there were so many small details on this lamp, I used smaller, fine tipped brushes.
Supplies List
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- Paint
- Paint Brushes
- New socket
- Screwdrivers
- Lampshade
The Process
As you can see in the photos below, the lamp’s socket is dismantled. Part way through my project I realized that the switch wasn’t working! With the help of Google I learned that it was a quick fix after a trip to the hardware store to purchase a new socket. As the colour of the hardware was difficult to match, I used the original casing with the new socket.
After layering four coats of paint, a rich coral colour was achieved.
The Finished Product






2 Comments
Britt | Shed Happens (@ShedHappenscmty)
This is such a simple project with a great pay off. I love the final result with the crystals for a space that has that feminine feel. I’m in the process of doing something similar right now with a chandelier but turning it black for my office.
A Sustainably Simple Life
I love the way you phrased that–a simple project with a great pay off. It really was! Can I request you tweet a picture of your chandelier? 🙂 I’d love to see it when it’s finished!