February 10, 2012

gold metallic glow

C'mon ride the train. Woo Hoo. The gold train. Sorry, I'll stop. But I'm seeing it everywhere, and I'm joining in the fun.

I've seen several people use the new metallic spray paint from Rust-oleum recently, but after I saw Julia's table over at Pawleys Island Posh I knew I had to give it a try.

Enter this sad little shade.


I picked up this piece of damaged goods, along with its brother Darrel and its other brother Darrel, at a high school rummage sale (remember these Becca?). I have a feeling that the owner of these shades work up that morning and thought, 'Crap! I was supposed to bring something for the rummage sale!' And then proceeded to go down into her basement and pick up the first thing she found.


Although the outside is a nice black satin-ish type fabric, the inside is paper. Paper that has suffered some type of water damage. (not a statement you often make about a lamp shade)


Who in their right mind would buy these things? That would be me.

Luckily I only paid $2 for all 3. Since they were already in such poor condition and they were just gathering dust in my basement, I figured why not spray some gold up in here!


I was thinking moody, library lampshade. Man smoking a pipe in the corner in a big leather chair type lampshade. Like this.

via SFGirlByBay.com
Or this.
via Pinterest

And I'm happy to report...


these suckers look good! 100% improvement.


They still have a few little dents here and there, but you can't tell (unless you are taking close up pictures of them). And you've got to give these guys a break. They were obviously involved in some sort of flood that had left them for dead.

I'm loving the glow they cast.


So pretty. Saucy really. I feel like I need some candles and wine.

I'm in love. Especially after only spending under $10 for the whole thing - shades and paint. I think they will live in my entryway. I'll spend some time this weekend styling these bad boys up.

But I'm not so sure they should go on these silver lamps. What do you think?

Should I paint the lamps too? (trust me, they aren't precious) I don't want blow my $10 margin with some crazy expensive lamps. Maybe Goodwill? Any ideas?

In other news, I'm staring at an electrician's crack as I speak type so we can finally wrap up this living room project. So what do you think? Do I have more gold painting in my future?

Linking up to Emily Clark's Working With What You Have


36 comments:

  1. Oooo, thy are so sexy with the gold! Love!! Sometimes I like gold and silver paired together but I'm not sure with those lamps...maybe just give it a try and see what you think. I hear ya with not wanting to spend the money on new lamps. Maybe if they don't look right in the silver you could just spray paint them- black maybe? or gold? Those shades will make anything look awesome- great job bringing those babies back to life! :)

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  2. Omg...love your blog...you crack me up! Go with the gold...be bold!

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  3. The shades look great! I do think they'd benefit from a heftier lamp...actually I'm rather envious come to think of it b/c I have a pair of alabaster lamps that would look just smashing with your shades :)

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  4. Girrrl! This project is beyond, beyond. I like the mixed metal look. Tommy Smythe's lamp is mercury glass (right) with the black and gold shade. If he can do it, so can you.
    Camille

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  5. The inspiration pic you posted from SFGirlByBay shows the black and gold lampshade paired with a silver lamp base, right? I'm all for ditching the matchy-matchy approach of gold-on-gold and supporting this metallic mixed marriage you've got going on.

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  6. Girl you are cracking me up! Seriously!! I am laughing so hard right now! I love the gold.. yes the bandwagon is full, please join us! The look amazing... totally worth the $10 investment!

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  7. Shut up!! I am using this idea. My electrician doesn't rock the crack look. I am thankful for that. I do have a crush on my tree guy.

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  8. That is so cute! I painted lampshades gold inside , but the white on the outside made them look all splotchy when the light was on! I guess if they are black that doesn't happen!! Gotta try it again! Thanks.
    So Linda, you have a crush on your tree guy? funny!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  9. They look great! So, how'd you do it? Did you tape off the top/bottom somehow? How do you keep the outside from getting painted?

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  10. Love this. Was it hard to paint the inside w/o getting gold paint all over the place?

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  11. I did the same but used cheap gold leaf... spent under $10 too.

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  12. I´ve painted all our " stiff " shades black on the outside, gold on the inside. Even the black on the outside looks eons better when repainted black! Not to mention all sorts of dowdy brown shades that get all fancy from a session of painting. I have one lamp on the foyer with a very dark silver " foot ". It looks good, due the lamp itself is big and strong. On the desk I have one with lighter leg, also silver and that sucker is way too light. I´ll either rub it with gold or paint it with gold and then rub it with dark oak antique wax to give it a very old burnished gold look. The jury´s out. I say test first, then go with the gutfeeling.

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  13. Just curious before I start my own lampshade painting project: how do the shades stand up to a hot light bulb?

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  14. Beth H, they've held up wonderfully. Not a problem at all. I never use over a 40watt bulb btw. Not because of the paint but just as a rule of thumb.

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  15. I just love this project and tutorial Elizabeth! This is a really quick project with big impact! I highlighted your project yesterday for Friday Favorites on my blog http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2013/01/my-list-of-doable-diy-projects-and-ideas-friday-favorites.html Thank you again for the inspiration!

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  16. Awesome. Ive thought about this myself. OK I'll do it too!! The hard sided ones at my custom shade place start at $56. You go girl!

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  17. That looks incredible. What a great make-over and way to save those lamp shades :)

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  18. Love it! I'm shopping for shades today for some made over thrifted lamps, and I think you just inspired me to take them over the top with a gold liner!

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  19. I've never attempted to paint the insides of my shades but this has my wheels turning :) Thanks for linking up!

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  20. I LOVE this idea! I've just moved into a new (bland) office that I'll be looking to spruce up on the cheap, and this idea has got me thinking...
    -Becky
    http://cuphalffull-sf.blogspot.com/

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  21. I love this! Coming over from Emily's party. Just added you to google +. xo Kristin

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  23. I love this idea! I think I'm going to spray my lampshade (silver, though).

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  25. Oooooooo... Me likey. I say go for the silver with the gold! I've been going through a whole mixing it up with the metals thing the last few days :)

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  26. I'm with Alison, how did you accomplish this and not get paint everywhere (especially on the black shade.) I can see hand painting, but how with the spray?

    Adore them by the way!

    2013 Designers Series featuring Scot Meacham Wood!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  27. LOVE IT! very clever. Your lamp with look perfect with the aged bronze technique I just saw on Pinterest. Here's the link
    http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2012/08/rescue-lamp-a-story-of-the-transformative-power-of-love/

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  28. I stumbled upon your site from a comment you left on Our Fifth House blog and I have to say that I am now inspired to go home and find something to do to my house to spruce it up. I am a new follower. Feel free to stop by and say hi over at my blog. www.trinaoneil.blogspot.com walking my own path.

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  29. Hi~ Gorgeous! Oh I want to do that. . .but PLEASE tell us how you did it! Just how and where did you tape off the rest of the lampshade?
    Feeling nervous but inspired.

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