Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A lamp transformation

I have found the only bad thing about buying from consignment shops is the no return policy. (Consignment shops are different from thrift shops like Goodwill.) This is bad, bad news for me because I once and a while, I suffer from what you may call buyer's remorse. I call it, Oh-it's-gorg!-I-must-have-it-right-now-screw-the-price-it's-gorg!-who-cares-if-it-won't-work-I-love-it-remorse.

Hence this lamp purchase:

I know it's hard to see...I was so stinkin' excited to paint this thing, I didn't take a before picture. Here's the lamp shade, just to give you an idea:

When I saw the lamp at the consignment shop, I fell in love with the unique shape of it. It's kind of retro and was definitely looking it. It needed updated, so I spray painted the whole thing (it is ceramic and wood) black, found a drum shade for $9 and added some extra grosgrain ribbon from the bathroom project (below) to the top and bottom:

Yahoo, much better! I felt like it still needed something, and today I found big iron keys at the same consignment shop ($7 for five!) that I lurve. I tied one on with a ribbon and think I love it!:What do you think?

I found a $9 pillow for the garage sale chair and am going to shop the house for new accessories for the table:

Love it!

I loved the tassels on the old shade, so I took them off and added them to another lamp:

Perfect! The Nester would be proud!! :)
P.S. Did I mention I love it? Maybe not. I love it. (There, only 25 "loves" in one post.)
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57 comments:

  1. Kristina P.April 21, 2009 at 11:33 PM

    I think the lamp looks awesome!

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  2. VivienneApril 21, 2009 at 11:35 PM

    It's fabulous! I love it! (Why can't I find stuff like these cool keys! Why?)

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  3. funky bag freakApril 21, 2009 at 11:37 PM

    GORG girl!

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  4. LaceApril 21, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    I loooove that lamp! IT IS GORG!

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  5. Fresh Poppy SistersApril 21, 2009 at 11:47 PM

    So creative! I thought the lamp alone was decoration, who knew you were supposed to decorate the lamp too?

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  6. Living With LindsayApril 22, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    I love it, too! I would have definitely taken that lamp home!

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  7. DebbieApril 22, 2009 at 12:07 AM

    I love taking a lamp and redoing them. I just did that in my daughters room. Pics are coming soon of the room. But yours turned out great. I LOVE it too. Debbie

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  8. J.J.April 22, 2009 at 12:30 AM

    That lamp is groovy, man!

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  9. BetsyApril 22, 2009 at 12:55 AM

    I LOVE it too!

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  10. Amanda@Imperfectly BeautifulApril 22, 2009 at 1:06 AM

    LOVE the retro shape of the base. ANd I am a SUCKA for a drum shade!

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  11. MellyApril 22, 2009 at 1:13 AM

    you are just so amazing!!

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  12. AmberApril 22, 2009 at 1:18 AM

    Wow, I LOVE that lamp!! Let me know if you find another one, because I want it!!! Love the shape of that base. LOVE.


    'I' am proud!!

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  13. Anita's JournalApril 22, 2009 at 1:25 AM

    I Love IT!

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  14. Jen@Balancing Beauty and BedlamApril 22, 2009 at 1:39 AM

    We love, love, love it as well. Nor remorse on that one. :)

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  15. XazminApril 22, 2009 at 2:32 AM

    I love it too! It looks fantastic Sarah!

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  16. MollyApril 22, 2009 at 2:45 AM

    LOVE!

    My friend has these super ugly lamps that she keeps talking about getting rid of and I keep saying, "No! Spray paint!"

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  17. june@craftynicheApril 22, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Looks great!

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  18. VanessaApril 22, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Lovely lamp! Great transformation!

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  19. Frugal JenApril 22, 2009 at 7:48 AM

    Looks great! Your blog has inspired me to do some more decorating projects. I posted today on my frugal blog about some garage sale find shelves. You inspired me!

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  20. MistyApril 22, 2009 at 8:26 AM

    It turned out great I love it!

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  21. AmandaApril 22, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    WOW! Love it! I am in need of a new lamp and HATE paying full price- going to garage sale hunt for one & get out the ole can of spray paint!

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  22. bjApril 22, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    I luv everything you are showing here...the lamp looks fabulous with that big ole chunky key...GREAT

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  23. southerninspirationApril 22, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    Super transformation, Sarah!!!

    Suzanne

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  24. CarmenApril 22, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Love the lamp! And the keys...perfect!

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  25. the cheap chickApril 22, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Seriously? I liked the old lampshade better, but then I LOVE that flutted, tulip-y shape. That being said, I love the spray paint idea. My BFF Larue uses spray paint in many of her home transformations, and I'm always so astounded by how awesome they look.

    Thanks for the gorgeous ideas,as always!

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  26. PatriciaApril 22, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Been following your blog for a while now and I love it!

    I run a consignment shop and had to chuckle at the no return policy
    We too have that same policy and our reason is that once the item is purchased the money is then transferred into the sellers account.
    That being said if you ever have buyers remorse again, just re~consign the item at the shop, when it sells, you get the cash or the shop credit to buy again.
    We do this. In fact we have had some things reconsigned 3 times already by different people LOL

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  27. MamaoftwinsApril 22, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Way to work those deals!! Everything looks GREAT! Your so talented.

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  28. NikkiApril 22, 2009 at 11:45 AM

    You should love that lamp now! I love what you did with it.

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  29. Laura Ingalls GunnApril 22, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    Oh I do like it! I somehow reminds me of "I Dream of Jeanie". Love the key tie on.

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  30. ST. MICHAEL'S WIFEApril 22, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    I LOVE it, too, you smart woman, you! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  31. ShannonApril 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    It looks perfect! The black is the perfect touch!

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  32. PenzApril 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    Very creative and nice. Way to go love!

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  33. JessieApril 22, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    Your lamp looks great! I have tried this before, but ended up with drips from the paint. Can you tell me what brand of spray paint you use and if you use any special technique? Thanks, I love your blog!

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  34. TammyApril 22, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Love the lamp - gorgeous! And the pillow looks fab, too.

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  35. Swan FamilyApril 22, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    I really love that chair...what a score!

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  36. mommynoodlesApril 22, 2009 at 2:55 PM

    Let me help you with that word!!! I "LOVE" it!!! It looks gorg darling!!! lol

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  37. Farmgirl PaintsApril 22, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    You did a great job. I would definitely put that lamp in my house...cute!

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  38. the pleasures of homemakingApril 22, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    I can see why you loved it! I has a great shape which you can really see now that its a darker color. Love the shade redo too!

    Manuela

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  39. Carol AnnApril 22, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    Great lamp...enjoyed the sofa table... the rooms great with the pieces behind the sofa...I love your blog, I am very new at this blog stuff, I will get mine done someday soon...
    I found your New Kids music, love them, took my younger daughter this past year, (Calgary, Alberta)...took my older daughter years ago (Montreal, Quebec) They were great both times...
    I get weird looks when I play their music in my car much to loud... They got me thought drafting (design school) years ago.. Regards, Carol Ann
    (A very old new kids fan,54)

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  40. AngieApril 22, 2009 at 10:42 PM

    Awesome lamp! Yeah, I also say LOVE a lot in my posts! There is just no other word to adequately express our fondness for cute decor!

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  41. LorieApril 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    The Nester ain't got nothin' on you! ;D

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  42. The TwigPusherApril 23, 2009 at 7:25 AM

    Love the lamp, but...what color is that on your walls? Is that an olive green? I've been looking for that color for weeks and have yet to find it...

    Love your blog!

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  43. Girly StuffApril 23, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    Good job on all the lamps!!

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  44. The NesterApril 23, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    Well done!

    And yes, I am very proud!

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  45. jenjenApril 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM

    That is a cute, cute little lamp! I love the key too, It adds just the right touch!

    You go girl! Your home is so beautiful!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  46. Kimm at ReinventedApril 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    Perfect! I need some trims for my poor naked lamps!

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  47. Melissa MillerApril 23, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    That looks so pretty.
    I love the keys! ;)

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  48. KelliApril 23, 2009 at 9:22 PM

    You've inspired me to dress up my lamps!!

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  49. JoyApril 24, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    Your "new" lamp is beautiful! And I really like all of the additional lamp bling.

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  50. Lazy Mom LeslieApril 24, 2009 at 12:11 AM

    I thought you were going to tell us that you regretted that purchase and I kept trying to figure out why. It looks fab! You did an amazing job on it!

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  51. ShannonApril 24, 2009 at 3:52 AM

    Cute, cute, cute! Question for you... When you spray paint brass, do you do any prep work first (light sanding, etc.) or just spray away?

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  52. Stacia HowardApril 24, 2009 at 6:38 AM

    Love it! I just got a lamp from Goodwill that I plan on spray painting although I do love the base and shade just as is. BUT I think it could be sooo much better!

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  53. Centsational GirlApril 24, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    That is my most favorite transformation to do ! Spray paint is my BFF too, and I always use it to alter everything, especially Goodwill finds.

    No lampshade in my house goes untouched without some blingy trim or ribbon.

    Love your blog ! Just found it today.

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  54. ShannonApril 29, 2009 at 6:34 PM

    Ah! This kind of magic is why I 9heart) Thrifty Decor Chick!

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  55. ShannonApril 29, 2009 at 6:34 PM

    ugh, that was supposed to be (heart)

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  56. AmaraJuly 29, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    Lady, I say this with the upmost admiration: You are going to be the death of me.
    Today alone I burlap covered a lampshade and PURCHASED MY FIRST NAIL GUN ON CRAIGSLIST! Last week I found two ugly brass lamps at a thrift store for $4.88 each, spray painted those puppies black and just like that, I can't stop spray painting. I haven't finished the lampshades to go with the now beautiful lamps, but I find myself walking into the room they're are sitting in (with the fabric I'm contemplating using on the shades) and telling them just how beautiful they are and aren't they lucky I was the one to save them from that creepy store.... yes, I have a problem. My children are mortified, but I'm so proud I can't help it.
    I'm sure I will have many questions about wood trim and finishing nails when I'm breaking in that nail gun this weekend.Thank you for the inspiration. I'm having an absolute blast learning from all these design on a dime blogs!

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  57. lauriemaDecember 5, 2010 at 11:32 PM

    Love your blog...new to all of this. Recently created facebook to view your blogs and photos...Trying to find out where you found the dark brown metal wall hangings above your fireplace any tips on where I could find this?

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I LOVE your comments, thank you! (I read every single one.)

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here! Be sure to check out the FAQs tab at the top of the site and my Projects page for paint colors and DIY projects as well.

THANKS so much for reading!

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