Brown and Blah to Farmhouse Style Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

Farmhouse Style Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

I made a quick run into the thrift store last week hoping to find some old metal fryer baskets like the ones I have hanging in my kitchen.  But I walked out with … a lamp.  Does that happen to you?

It happens with me All. The. Time!

I didn’t think I really needed a lamp, but but the price good, so in the cart it went.

What clinched the deal for me though was the linen lamp shade.

Have you seen the prices for these things new in the store?  It’s crazy.  You can buy an entire new lamp for the price of a shade, so I wasn’t walking away from it for 4.99.

I digress though… 🙂

All in all, the lamp was in good condition.  It had some scuffs that looked like it had been pushed against a painted wall.  I wasn’t into the brown glossy look though, and I wanted to give the shade a farmhouse style look.  So here’s what I did:

Farmhouse Style Thrift Store Lamp Makeover – The Lamp Base

Supplies used (includes affiliate links for your convenience):

Spray paint for ceramics ( I used this brand.)

Clear satin top coat

Adhesive remover (to remove sticky price tag)

Sandwich bag

Painter’s tape

Directions:

Peel off the thrift store price tag and use the adhesive remover to get the sticky residue off.

*Side note – I think thrift stores pick the stickiest, worst stickers they can possibly find!

Clean it really well.  (I used a rag dipped in hot, soapy water.)

Wrap a sandwich bag around the bulb socket and secure with painter’s tape.

Shake the spray paint can for 1-2 minutes, then holding it 6-8 inches away from the base, use sweeping motions to paint it.  Do light coats and repeat as necessary.  I did two coats, air drying between coats.

Farmhouse Style Thrift Store Lamp Makeover – The Shade

Supplies used:

Stencil (I used Farmer’s Market.)

Painter’s tape (This is the best brand!)

Paint

Stencil brush

Directions:

Tape the stencil in position with painter’s tape.

TIP #1 – Don’t scrimp when it comes to painter’s tape.  Buy quality tape that sticks well, but doesn’t damage what you stick it to.  The tape might slip when you’re painting. #beentheredonethat

TIP #2 – When stenciling on a curved surface, it’s easiest to hold the stencil flat against the surface and paint one letter at a time.

I pressed against the shade from the inside while stenciling to make it a firm surface to press against.

And it turned out perfect!

I didn’t have a bedside lamp in the guest room, so I moved it out there.

It’s a bit large for the space, so I may keep my eye out for another lamp to make over now that I know how well it works.

My guest room is my favorite room to decorate, even though it’s in a detached house.

To see all the different looks and projects I’ve done for the guest house, click HERE.

Vaya con Dios,