What should I do with this lamp?

Hey guys, so I have this lamp. It's my husband's lamp actually, he wanted to throw it away. Lol he should know at this point that we don't throw things away around here. To say the least, its not our style, my first instinct is to paint it perhaps in white? I was also thinking about wrapping a certain amount of it in twine? I'm kinda at a loss here. Any ideas?
You can see here that it has a whole lot of gold, not my thing, maybe I should just paint the gold?
  18 answers
  • Darlene Tarrance Darlene Tarrance on Nov 22, 2015
    Give it to me!
  • Karen LeDoux Karen LeDoux on Nov 22, 2015
    You could paint the gold black, or a different color of your choice. Just make sure you clean it well first, then use a fine grit sandpaper to rough it up a bit. Not too much, but clean it again afterwards. The sanding helps the paint adhere better. Paint it the color of your choice, then add a new lampshade or you could DIY your original lampshade with some fabric paint. Don't use puff paint, tho, I think that would make it look too tacky. Hope this helps!
  • After you have painted the gold parts to the color of your choice (as suggested by Karen LeDoux) perhaps you could coat the inside of the glass part with a complimentary or contrasting color... just a thought. (I was just reading the "Jadite ornaments post that gave me the idea.)
  • Carol Todd Carol Todd on Nov 22, 2015
    A new shade would help a lot !
  • Linda Linda on Nov 23, 2015
    You could...discard shade & shorten top neck, get some crystals & bead strings, etc. & maybe an orb or wire basket. Turn lamp upside down & put inside orb, decorate and... tadaa...you have a chandelier.
  • Bron Bron on Nov 23, 2015
    I actually think the lamp itself is quite lovely. It has interesting features about it. I would leave it as is and add another shade. maybe more like this shape. The shade should not be too large though because the lamp is quite slim. Take the lamp along to a lamp shop and try for size. if you wanted to you could try adding a row of glass beads along the bottom edge of the shade and that would tie it in with the glass part of the lamp. Depends on what look you want. Would love to see what you decide on. :)
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 23, 2015
    I would spray paint the gold part a metallic color.Then depending on that shade I would definately get a replacement shade.
  • Peppi Peppi on Nov 23, 2015
    decoupage shade with paper napkins that coordinate with your room. as for the lamp, if it is real brass, i would keep it. if not, paint it a glossy color that coordinates with the shade and leave the glass clear. very unique and classy.
    • See 5 previous
    • Peppi Peppi on Dec 23, 2015
      @C_ann_g i also buy cheap lamps at goodwill or on-line auctions that i can use the shade for decoupaging. don't know if i've already said, but i buy most of my napkins from the dollar tree. peppi
  • Grangerite Grangerite on Nov 23, 2015
    Yes stay paint gold. What ever your preference. Get a shade that matches new color . Nice vase.
  • Juliya Sav Juliya Sav on Nov 23, 2015
    depending on what your style is...but i would paint the gold in black and leave the glass clear. Change the shade to the one "Bron" suggested with the black design. then it will look like a signature piece. Good Luck!
  • Rose Rose on Nov 23, 2015
    Juliya Sav, I think your spot on with this one. It would so good that way!!
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Nov 23, 2015
    Hey guys thank you so much! I'm struggling between whether I want to paint the gold white or black... Its not real brass so its not breaking my heart to paint it. I'm leaning toward black (because that's more my style) however, I think white would go better in the room (lol ah design struggles) but I will let you know and post here as soon as I get to work on it!
    • Jane Jane on Nov 23, 2015
      @GrandmasHouseDIY All the professional decorators say a "pop of black" completes every room. The shade can coordinate with the room color.
  • Colleen Colleen on Nov 23, 2015
    Not knowing what your style is, it's hard to say. However, since that is not solid brass, I would see the gold painted white, or whatever color would work with a new shade and your room, the pretty cut glass-look left alone, and a modern drum shade atop. There are all manner of awesome DIY ideas out there that you could come up with for a new shade. But something modern would definitely be the way to go.
  • CS CS on Nov 23, 2015
    I llike the idea of painting it white. I know gold is the new rave. But I really think the white will show off its shape better.
    • See 1 previous
    • Nadine Nadine on Nov 23, 2015
      @GrandmasHouseDIY You can't go wrong with either color. But I think you should go with your first instinct and paint it black because as you said that is more your style.
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Dec 02, 2015
    Hey guys, here is the finished lamp! I ended up just using a flat white paint on the whole thing (even the glass *gulp*) and then wrapping two sections in the lamp in twine and then giving it a brand new lamp shade! Thank you all so much for all of your help!
  • Peppi Peppi on Dec 15, 2015
    i get them at goodwill or the christmas tree shop.
  • Linda zwick Linda zwick on Nov 13, 2016
    What about pewter?
  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 01, 2016

    Oh you can send it too me,it's still my style. But I'm older so what can I say? LOL!!!