Old Floor Lamp Makeover

by Carol S

This ol' lamp belonged to a good friend. It had been knocked around, dented, wiring switch no longer worked was shot. The last blow came when the white glass shade broke & she as going to put it out to the curb. "Why I can fix it? I know I can find another shade.." I explained. "You want it? It is yours." It took awhile to find the shade, then life went on & it sat. My friend passed, I sold my home & moved, taking the lamp with me. I wanted to make it something I could use to remember her with.
I eventually removed all the electric parts. Then let set it there for years.

The entire lamp was this dull & worn.

It was all black and showed the dust all too quickly. I wanted some part of it to pop & be bright. So, I decided it would be best if it were the one part that was removable & eaasily changed. The exterior metal shade was just the thing.

I chose metallic silver.

It took 3 coats but oh how I love how it shines.

lamp makeover vintage redo, home decor, lighting, repurposing upcycling

I took the entire lamp apart. Each part was screwed onto the next, not like todays lamps at all and the base is extremely heavy. I used a sanding sponge, steel wool to loosen the loose flakes of paint and smooth over the finish.

I gave each part a coat of dull black spray paint - I utilized the soft metal stakes to handle & hang the small parts to dry. I knew I could not live with that flat finish. So the next can & layers were GLOSSY.

During one of the times it was handled & moved one of the decorative arms broke off. I tried different methods to get it to fix the problem - but the threads wear clearly worn, Finally I found something that worked

JB Weld mix, set and let dry.

The left curl is the apart the broke away from the threaded housing.

Finally I started to reassemble the lamp. This is the part that the light socket & switch were in. The lower part holds 3 extra votive candles. I made this cover/platform to set the burning candle in.

I did this by cutting the bottom off a thin aluminum can, using metal shears.

Like this

The glass shade is slotted at the base & nuts hold it safely in place.

This a Christmas gift from that same friend. It is a pretty candle lantern. I carefully removed glass & painted it to match the lamp.

This the finished product. I chose candles because they can provide light where or when there is no electricity, while also adding scent & ambience to a room.

Thank you Norma for lighting up my life - then & forever more.