Glossy navy blue lamps

September 16, 2013

As some of you know, our master bedroom is going through a (sloooooow) metamorphosis. It started with new bedding I picked up months ago and then a DIY headboard and some paint. I still haven’t finished painting because I’m still deciding on the color. It may change. We’ll see.

I’m not one to knock my old decor, because at each point I loved where I was. Does that make sense? Deep. Anyway, I’m changing up our bedroom because I was just wanting a different look. We had the same paint up for eight years and I was itchin’. I sold our bed on Craigslist and I’m trying to use the cash from that to makeover the whole room.

At first I was hoping to reuse the sconces we used for light before:

sconces above bed

I did love having the light right above my head for reading. But the only reason those worked was because the bed was so tall – regular lamps wouldn’t work for us (the light was too low). And now that the bed is back near the ground again those sconces looked too teeny. SO. I ended up bringing some brass lamps up from the basement:

painting a nightstand

To see that nightstand redo go here. Your 80’s nightstand will thank you. ;)

I know many of you dug the brass as it was and I totally get it. I think in a different setting I may almost kinda maybe leave it as is. I’m not quite there with the shiny brass yet (I love an antiqued version, still not sold on this coming back). And they weren’t in the best condition either – they both had some areas that were corroded/worn/not sure what to call it. And both had stickers on them (for YEARS?) that I just couldn’t get off all the way (I had to just spray over them). 

So they needed some paint. I just couldn’t decide on a color. I didn’t want to go with a silver because I thought that would be too cold feeling – I wanted to warm up the space a little. The bedding has a blue/grey color in it, and I actually have a color that matches that pretty well – but I wanted more contrast than that.

And then one of you (LilClementine) suggested navy blue and the heavens opened up – THAT was the one. I picked up some glossy navy blue paint the other day and gave it a go. I started with primer – on a shiny metal like this it’s never a bad idea. All I had was a black primer so I just used that:

spray painting a lamp

I knew immediately I was going to like them more painted. I think the pretty lines of the lamp were lost with the shiny metallic. When painted a deeper color you can really appreciate them. I think so anyway.

And then I pulled out the blue. I was so hoping it would turn out like it was looking in my head:

navy blue spray paint

It did. :) I absolutely, totally LOVED it. Brilliant!!

I had some navy blue ribbon in my stash so I just wrapped it around the bottom of the lamp shade to tie it in a bit:

ribbon on lamp shade

So here’s the thing – the navy blue isn’t in the bedding or anything else in the room really:

how to spray paint

But there will be more of it now. ;) The older I get the more I realize things don’t have to match exactly. I think if I had used a color that was a match it wouldn’t have made the same impact. I love how it brings a bit of contrast and drama to the room:

navy blue lamp

Right? I LOVE them. Now I want to pull some navy into some pillows maybe, or in the drapes? I don’t know, like I said, this room is slow going so I’ve got time to decide. ;)

Yet again…if you haven’t used spray paint to transform something, do it. Today. OK, fine -- maybe later this week if you’re busy. Short, small burst of paint, not long ones. Move it quickly across the surface, don’t concentrate on one spot too much. Numerous quick coats are better than one heavy one.

Next up I need to finish the painting. Figure out what to put above the bed (the mirror just went up there to fill the space for now). Drapes. Recover the bench at the end of the bed. New floors?? We’ll see.

It’s coming along though and I’m really pleased with it (and my navy blue lamps) so far:

tufted headboard

What’s the last thing you spray painted that you loved? The best part about it – if you don’t like it it takes just a few minutes to change it again. Seriously the easiest way to change up your decor that I know of.

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Comments

  1. Do you have a go to place for lampshades, online or Indy? I'm on the southside. Thanks!

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  2. Love the new headboard and those lamps! I would've never thought to use navy, but it's perfect!!!

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  3. Oh i do love them - but man they did look cool in the brass too.. and I JUST bought a tall brass lamp at Goodwill for $6 and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. Should I try to spray it with a shiny brass spray paint? (because this lamp has worn spots too) do those work to look like brass? Or should I go with a bold color? I am so excited about it but not sure which way to go! Yours look fantastic!

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  4. I love the navy, so much better than the brass. Makes me want to go spray paint something and I have been on a navy binge lately too. Don't know why but I'm loving it lately.

    Kristi

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  5. Holy Moley, I love those lamps so much I want to marry them.

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  6. I love, love, love it. I am thinking about redoing my Family Room in Navy and cream.....this gives me some other ideas.

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  7. That navy blue is so striking, I love the "new" lamp! Just last night I was preparing a big batch of apple sauce, hmmm delicious! Good luck with yours ;)

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  8. Where did you get the bedding? Love it!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I found that at HomeGoods. I think I put more info in this post: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html

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  9. Love the new lamp! Looks great!

    Last thing I spray painted was the cold air exchange vent in my livingroom. It went from wet cement gray to satin nickel which is a big improvement. Up next: brown register vent covers are going satin nickel as well.

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  10. Your room is coming together so well!! I LOVE Navy and always have!!! :) I don't have any of it in my decor, but I sure have a lot of clothes that are navy.

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  11. Love, love, love the navy blue upgrade. My 21-year-old daughter's room walls are navy blue for the last 3.5 years. We still love them.

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  12. Love the color! Who would have thought navy blue could add such a statement to the room.

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  13. Love them! I have been going back and forth on if I will paint mine navy also. They started brass, then yellow, then white, then ORB... But I am torn if I should use them or buy some cool lights I have been eyeing at Ikea.

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  14. LOVE the navy! I painted the sides of a cute little pewter dish yesterday, and i have big navy plans for a collection of ledge shelves and frames n the living room next week.

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  15. I love the navy lamps! They look great with the gold mirror over your bed. I'm actually in the middle of spray painting a frame for my daughter's room white with navy corners. It's amazing what you can do with a can of spray paint.

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  16. I am loving the redo of the room. It makes the room look much more soft and cozy :) I never would have thought of navy blue, but it's just perfect in there.

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  17. I love how this is all coming together! The navy is perfect! Maybe some navy on the bench at the foot of the bed or in artwork above the bed?

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    Replies
    1. What about painting the sunburst mirror above the bed navy?

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  18. That glossy blue is seriously awesome. And you just convinced me that I need a little ribbon action on my lamp shade. Tonight's project? ;)

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  19. Seriously, I LOVE the blue! And with the grey, it looks fantastic. I love pops of color like that. It's so unexpected.

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  20. What a transformation! I love that high gloss navy. I spray painted our brass house numbers. Up next, the register covers. Haven't attempted a lamp yet!

    Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life

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  21. Navy blue is so timeless and classic - I find myself adding touches of it all over my house! Love the lamp, and the ribbon on the shade just brings it all together perfectly. So fun to watch your bedroom come together!

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  22. I love that glossy navy!!! And the ribbon is a great touch. And that pic of you and the hubs is gorgeous!!!

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  23. You seriously just made my day/year! The lamps look amazing... I can't wait to get my hands on some just like these and paint them now. :) Your room is coming together beautifully!

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  24. I'm loving the high gloss navy and the blue ribbon just ties it all together so nicely. Inspired me to not pass up on those brass lamps I keep seeing at the thrift stores. Gorgeous! Love your upholstered headboard too!
    Marie@InteriorFrugalista

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  25. I love the glossy navy blue! Crazy how one little touch of color can make such a big difference in a room.

    Steph@onemilehomestyle

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  26. love it! i am a huge fan of navy blue- the lamp is perfection! looks like it was born that way! :)

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  27. I have the same bed you have in your before photo. I'm also thinking about putting it on craig's list. I got it from the bombay company over 12 years ago. It's time for a new look but I need to finish a few other project before I start my bedroom makeover. I love you blog. I might have to copy your bedding.

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  28. GASP, THAT IS GORGEOUS!!! Better still, I have that exact same lamp sitting in my garage waiting for a coat of spray paint! I have been flip flopping on what colour to paint it and now I am desperately thinking of somewhere that navy blue would look awesome. Ooooh, I just bought a metal floor lamp that is black but I am thinking navy would suit that much better too. Home Depot here I come!

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  29. I love the way the whole room is coming together! And homemade applesauce is so amazing, and makes your house smell amazing!!! it's super duper easy...sometimes I don't even add sugar, just apples, a tiny bit of water, and some cinnamon sticks.

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  30. LOVE the navy! I was never really into navy (or gold for that matter) and lately I can't get enough of it! Looks great with your décor!

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  31. Loved the brass but I love the navy too!!!!

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  32. I love the navy blue! The last thing I painted was the shelves for my son's locker. Target only had hot pink left since he waited until after school started to decide it was cool for boys to have locker décor, so I painted them black. Of course, I made him think I was giving him the pink ones first to see his reaction. Priceless...;)

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  33. Oh my goodness. I just painted my brass lamps navy last week! I chose to use a matte finish on mine. I never thought I would go fro blue in any shade as my mother's house has blue everywhere, but it keeps growing on me and I find I am using shades of it in almost every room.

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  34. I have done a lot of spray paint projects, but lamps are probably my favorite and easiest! My last ones were like yours- not quite a match to the bedding (grey/purple/mint)but provided that POP of color and drama- teal. Your navy looks great!
    I've also done faux-mercury glass and sprayed my fireplace frame with spray paint! I love it! And, I believe that you were the one that first got me excited about spray paint! Thanks!

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  35. I love it, Sarah! The high gloss looks so high end.

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  36. Love the lamp makeover! I'm on the hunt for a cheap pair to spray paint myself... just haven't found the right ones yet. When you said you were adding ribbon to the shade, I covered my eyes half expecting a 90's hot-glue gun train wreck. But I'm delighted to see that it's just a subtle little touch. Nice work!

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  37. I have never been a fan of brass, whether or not it is in style. (If you saw the way I dress, you'd know I'm not up on the latest styles!) Anyway, I love the navy update to your lamps- awesome pop of color.

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  38. Sarah, I LOVE that you live up to your name and still try to stay within a budget and redo things. I've watched alot of bloggers change over the years and let's just say I appreciate you! As for the lamps, adorable!!! I am redoing my bedroom as well. It's been emotional (my husband passed away a year ago) to make a bedroom just for me, but I am loving it. I spray painted a gorgeous sunburst mirror this weekend. Hopefully when I'm all done I'll share on your linky party. I think adding a touch of kiwi with the navy would be A-Maz-ing!!! in your room!

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    1. Laura, I am SO sorry to hear about the passing of your husband..I know it isn't easy! I know he's in your heart always.

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  39. I am NOT a fan of the shiny brass either..It screams 80's or 90's to me lol

    but I do LOVE your navy blue transformation of it! Shockingly, I have NEVER spray painted a lamp, but you have inspired me!! Can't wait to do it now!

    Your room looks great btw!

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  40. Navy blue - would never have thought it, but it looks so good! And you are right, you have decided that colours don't have to be exact matches and will still look fine.

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  41. I love the navy blue. I'm not a huge fan of brass anyway. I have not spray painted anything yet, but I keep reading and thinking and inching my way closer to going for it.

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  42. Beautiful!!! I love what your doing in this room, okay your whole house!!!
    The last thing I spray painted and absolutely love....the twin bed I used as a child, which is now set up to be used by my two year old grand-daughter on the nights when she sleeps over with us. The room was her daddy's room, so I think that is pretty cool too. I had tried to sand down the horrible stain and years of wear. Gave up and after reading on a couple of blogs about spray painting furniture, thought what the heck. So, the bed is now a very pretty matte white. Love it!
    Good luck with your room!
    Vanessa

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  43. Looks fab Sarah :) Can't go wrong with navy :) xo Kristin

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  44. OMG...love the blue lamps! They turned out great!

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  45. The navy was a good choice. I have spray painted so many things this summer I've lost count! It's amazing how quickly you can transform an object from old and unused to new and totally usable. Here's one of my projects: http://lovemydiyhome.com/antique-night-stand-re-do/

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  46. wow, those new lamps even made you make the bed- ha ha!!!

    love them- genius look! can't wait to see how it all turns out

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  47. I needed something to build some little retaining walls in my garden so I could build up some flower beds. But store bought items were not in the budget. I had a brainstorm. We have a pile of roofing shingles left over. They were gray/black. So I drove to my favorite store and bought some dark brown spray paint. I sprayed a bunch of the shingles and boy did they come out sweet. They were so tough yet flexible I could manipulate them into curved shapes and they matched the ground so closely they are barely visible against the dirt. It's like magic and now I can make raised flower beds any color I want. I even have one that has two shingle retaining walls that gives me an extra high flower bed. Cheap, cheap way to get exactly what I needed. For all my little garden spots I've even come to like this better than the store bought stuff.

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  48. I'm loving your navy lamp!!! What a transformation and it looks so beautiful now! Love it!!

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  49. I LOVE spray paint. I paint everything now. Recently I spray painted cheap Wally mart pumpkins silver... do you know how much those silver ones' cost in the stores! Love the navy lamps and the trim on the shade ties it all in. Keep painting!

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  50. Love them! I spray painted my two living room lamps navy blue. The structure of your lamps is beautiful and was totally obscured by their previous finish.

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  51. I love the glossy navy blue! Seriously makes me want to spray paint something! Look out kitty cat!

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  52. Spray paint is my friend too! I spray paint outdoor furniture, planters, and many more things. I love this navy blue too! I am a blue fan but I don't use a lot of navy. You've inspired me to incorporate navy into my décor. It is such a classic color.

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  53. What a difference! I will never look at a brass lamp the same way again. I spray painted my brass with oil rubbed bronze. Now I'm wishing I would have thought of this. This is just so cute.

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