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A Fun Lamp Makeover...


 
I had a tall, vintage alabaster lamp in storage.  I love alabaster lamps, but this one wasn't quite working for me!  It had two wood sections- a carved curved piece at the top, and a pedestal base- that were painted a very dark golden color, which does not really go in my home.
 Lately, I have seen many blogs which have spray painted lamps and chandeliers with lovely results, so thought maybe I would adapt that treatment.  I didn't want to paint the alabaster, of course, but decided to paint the wood sections to match! My lamp was a creamy off-white with some great mustard tones and some black veining.   I just used craft acrylic paints - an off-white, a dark mustard, and black, with a satin sealer.  Using a foam brush, I started out with a coat of off-white over both sections- just a light cover coat to allow the dark gold underneath to come through as shadows.
 I then mixed a little of the dark mustard (it is the paint on the far left in the pic) into the off-white and painted a light coat of that onto the lamp to get the color closer to the original alabaster.
 Next I added another light layer of off-white so the mustard areas and shadowing still showed through.
  Accents were next- more mustard in the seams and shadows, some black feathered veining- you can fix anything you don't like by stippling on some more off-white to soften it.
 This paint dries quickly and I liked working while the paint was a little wet for easy blending when I wanted to.  Once it was dry, I topped it off with a satin sealer, which gave it a soft surface glow which looked like the alabaster.  The whole project took me about 45 minutes!  I was happy with how it turned out and I have a new lamp for my home!

I am linking to Savvy Southern Style's BTB Party

Until next time...
Linda

35 comments

  1. Hi Linda,
    your lamp has realy been like new--well old/new- and so very beautifull. it is a wonderfull piece, and a wonderfull job.
    Wishing you a happy easter, dear.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  2. Nice! Very nice job, Linda!

    Tootles,

    Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
    http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/

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  3. Great idea! Simple change makes a big difference.

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  4. Oh Linda it's perfect! So glad you pulled it out of your attic, I think that's what you said, right! lol

    you did a wonderful job...and brought new life to an old lamp...it's so shabby chic now!!!

    love it!
    ciao bella
    creative carmelina

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  5. The lamp looks like a complete restoration. I would have taken the spray paint route which certainly wouldn't look as nice.

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  6. Linda, that looks really good. I can't believe how you made it all look like the allibaster. You did it so quickly, too.

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  7. That really turned out great! It looks so much better and it looks great in your room. I like the photo of it with the light on...such a warm glow. :)

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  8. Really gorgeous transformation! I love alabaster lamps too. I don't usually see them with wooden bases though. I like it all white much better!

    Manuela

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  9. Ahhh! Genius - it really is a beautiful lamp. I love the power of paint and employ it often. ~ Angela

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  10. awesome. we have so many old lamps. I keep pulling lampshades out of the dumpster behind "exciting lighting." I can't help myself!

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  11. Really Cool! Well Done You!!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  12. Hello Linda!

    Thanks for the visit and so thrilled I found yourEtsy store and bought those darling crotched pot holders! They will look so cute in the trailer! I love your flowered wall paper! I need to do some wallpapering in this house! In our last house I did and it truely turned a house into a home.

    Happy Easter!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

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  13. Very nice! I like that a lot. Looks lovely where you have it, too! :)

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  14. lovely..what an amazing transformation! the shade is a perfect finishing touch.
    judi ;)

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  15. Linda
    that really made a difference with your lamp.

    You did a nice job, making it 'new'.
    Enjoy your work.

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  16. Forty five minutes? Wow, I'm impressed! It is a fabulous re-do and such a lovely piece to add to your beautiful home. Thanks for sharing your tips, Victoria

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  17. You did a fabulous job matching the base to the alabaster. The different paint colors added a lot of depth to the lamp. It looks beautiful in your space.
    Jane

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  18. I love that you blended different colors, that's what I would've done too...and they call us dumb blonds!!!

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  19. Well that sure is fresh!~ I love it Linda, and it looks great on that table! Happy Easter, I posted a quick little easter post for my blogging friends...I am still technically on break lol!!~

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  20. So nice looking now, and Love all your old books, too! Lezlee

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  21. What a transformation. It looks gorgeous.

    Joyeux paques,

    Leeann

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  22. Good job! The lamp has wonderful lines and now it is perfect.

    Carol

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  23. What a beautiful job on the lamp Linda! I am in the process of re-doing a lamp, so thank you for your inspiration. And thank you for all your kind comments on my blog! I hope you and your family have a beautiful Easter!

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  24. Great job Linda!! Your lamp looks charming in that spot.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  25. Hi Linda, what a great job you did matching the alabaster. I would never have guessed that was paint...really pretty! Have a wonderful Easter weekend, come by when you can.
    Debra

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  26. Nice blog. I love the way you have brought this lamp back to life. I have become a follower.
    Rory
    http://thegreentiquessolution.blogspot.com/

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  27. Love the lamp, what a difference a few coats of paint make. I particularly like how you used the alabaster to define the color. Beautiful.

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  28. Thanks for joining the party, Linda. That lamp looks like it was always alibaster all the way. Great job.

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  29. Oh, your lamp turned out so beautiful! I love it and the vignette you've set up with is is so pretty.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  30. Cute lamp redo! Also love your waverly wallpapaer!

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  31. You did a beautiful job on your lamp. The whole thing looks alabaster now!
    Happy New Year
    Sue

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  32. that is gorgeous! I love your little spot. The wallpaper warms up that whole corner.

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