What would you do to these lamps?
by
S
+24
I really dislike these old lamps (esp. gold and top part) I found in my parent's basement but I thought maybe there was some hope for them (hence trying the new lampshade shape -fyi black doesn't let out enough light). They are fairly tall, so I don't know if they'll work in my apartment necessarily. What would you do to them to like them enough for your own home? Or what would you do to them that would make them worth reselling? Or would you just get rid of them as is? I've recently gotten into spray painting, if that makes any difference. Thanks I value all of your diy/design experience. P.s. if you notice my mother's outdated kitchen in the background....yeesh where do I begin!
p.s. the middle of lamp doesn't show well in the photo, but its' a faux green marble.
p.s. the middle of lamp doesn't show well in the photo, but its' a faux green marble.
25 answers
-
I have done this many times with some pretty odd lamps. First I tape off the electrical works and the cord before I start by spray painting the lamp brown. Then I apply vaseline on areas I want to distress before a coat of white. Once dry, the vaseline areas will rub off with a paper towel. I have not had as much luck spray painting the shades. If you want to go to color with the shade, you might want to try something other than spray paint.
Lori Jackson
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I personally love them! but i understand what you say. also, they look big so not suitable for any space, they need to be in a large studio or hallway, i think. i would go for a very large (defo bigger than those) shade, ivory, cream or even with gold tones through it, so as to make a bold statement. then try gum tree or ebay or craigslist. btw, your mum's kitchen is nice, full of nice furniture for future projects.
Ricardo Martinez Ramos
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Metal parts I would leave brass or tone those parts down for an antique look. The green center and the shade I would spray paint off white and then modge podge map or music to the shade and green part of the lamp. The lamp reminds me of a ships lantern so nautical map would be nice.
Barbara Andrews
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I would spray the brass bits a nickel or maybe bronze. Lose the black shades and go for a sleeker look. A creamy box shade with the nickel paint or a linen barrel shade would be nice with the bronze paint color.
Joanie
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I would tape off the green and spray paint the gold a silver, tape that off and spray paint the lamp black and add a white lamp shade.
Janet chambers
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Protect the cord and electrical parts with painter's tape, then try to start by spraypainting the green middlepart, first grey, then white and distress here and there with light sandpaper, you can get some that can be used on metal paint (for cars) that allow you to use a little water when distressing. (You wet the paper too work more evenly on the rounde surface, you don't wet the lamp). See ifspaypainting the faux marble aprt in distressed white removes enough of the look you dislike (and no lampshade while you work your way into the new style you'llend up liking). If you now like the middle part but not the brass, protect the middle part (be careful that the paint is thoroughly dry before taping-or wrap some foil before taping on the foil) then spray paint the brass, you can use plain metal paint (I'd recommend grey if the faux marble part ended up white distressed with bottom lyer showing as grey) or any metal paint with special effect, I recently used one that is black but gives an embossed effect like wrought iron. I believe metal paints aiming at reproducing metal (like silver etc..) will gve the faux look or heavy style you dislike, so keep away from them I'd say. Last the lampshade:your lamp has a typical candle-type shape, all vertical, and with this shape you should never use a drum-shaped lampshade, you'll end up enhancing the all vertical,and create too tall a look. Find a lampshade with slope. A relatively short shade but wide with lots of slope will soften the vertical look. If you're into a DIY-project, make a cover for the lampshade with toile-look in white and grey or white and light blue, if not keep the lampshade simple and choose white or creme (gives a soft glow). To further soften the look you can glue a ribbon all the way round (top) and tie a bow or like someone suggested modge podge angels or something soft on the white fabric. There are also small fabric or ceramic accessories that will break the vertical feel and soften the look, thesse are usually small angels, hearts, ribbons, and are tied juste below the bulb insertion part and hang down. You can also make your own decoration and change it along with seasons (Christmas tree decoration, or whatever you find in the woods, or shells you gathered at he beach etc...) This lamp will be gret on a chest of drawer, in an entrance hall or near your bed for spreading lots of light if you like reading in bed. If your place is small, you don't need too match the pair in the same room and can have on here one there but I'd keep them alike in color and lampshade, especially if the place is small to achieve a global look and style.
Carole
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Tip: Prepare the lamp for painting by rubbing it with steel wool so paint will adhere better. After changing the color, accent the angular base by selecting a square or rectangular shade. Also, you can usually alter the height of the lamp by replacing the "harp" at the top with a different size, so long as the shade still conceals the light socket.
MagnoliaMama
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I would cover the green with a birch bark and spray paint the metal with a taupe color. The shade could be a taupe also.
Lou Camp
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I've spray painted a bunch of my old shiny brass lamps with brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze spray paint and it's worked like a charm. I used the paint w/ primer so I didn't even prep the surface and they've held up for years now.
Mandy Brown
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I would spray paint the brass silver, then use thin fabric or pretty paper napkin and decoupage the middle part to match your decor.
Susan
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Brass is back, Baby! But if you don't like it...I would patina the metal with a verdigris finish (the greenish color that brass gets when it ages). You can google how to do it. Then paint the other section any color you want, or decopage with patterned tissue paper... or use wood veneer or wood patterned contact paper to cover the old finish.
Vel1629730
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I have to ask, what is your style? Traditional, country, electic (sp), modern or a soft contemporary? Then, what are the colors of your furniture? I must tell you that I have two tall lamps on my bedside tables. My antique bed from floor to top of mattress is 31 inches so I suppose it depends on what and where you will place the lamps. Now, about lampshades. I was just considering you purchasing a longer length shade so that it covers most of the brass above the green; would it make the lamp "look" shorter? Hope this info helps you a little. Don't be in a hurry and take your time. Google "lamp makeovers" or something like it and see what you find. Then check out ALL types of spray paint.
861650
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I think they've got a great shape! What is your design style??? If you like shabby chic, you could do a pastel chalk/milk paint and go with a white shade trimmed in burlap. If you like quirky & colorful, I recently discovered McKenzie Childs (here's a link to some pics I took in their NY store https://goo.gl/ClROv6). If you want traditional and to update with a new/mixed metal look my trick is to use a base color of your favorite, then give it a few quick hits of a complimentary color (or two) to give it some depth.
Pamela Sandall
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I would spray paint the whole lamp white. It has a nice shape.
JulieArt
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I don't know your personal style, but if they were mine, I'd spraypaint the gold parts to look aged....thin coat of black matte? Or a verdigris patina.... . Then I'd wrap the green part with rope to give it a nautical feel.
Lucy Nunn
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Can't help because I kind of like it as is :)
Sharon Russell
on Aug 09, 2015
-
If the middle "is" marble I wouldn't want to hide it. Certainly do nothing that would permanently ruin it. I do like the nautical theme idea with rope wound around it as that wouldn't harm the marble. Go with a rope at least 1/2 inch thick...To then make it more contemporary with the rope, you could always "spray paint" the rope too. What color is is your living room furniture ?. You could spray paint the brass a brush silver look?? Get a shade that is white with touches of silver.
Carole Carlson
on Aug 09, 2015
-
I'd strip the brass color off with oven cleaner ( yes it does work) buff it with fine steel wool.It should look like chrome afterwards.Then I would spray paint the middle section ,perhaps switch out the black shade with a lighter colored drum shade,and glue trim around lampshade bottom to coordinate with the painted middle section.
Shelia
on Aug 09, 2015
-
Well, the lamp is trying to be a sorta classic/colonial mix style, but the proportions of the elements are not pulling it off. The feet are too petite and ornamental for the base, and the columnar part is too fat and plain. I think your best course is to paint the base one colour to minimize this awkwardness, preferably in contrasting colour to the shade. If you are looking for more of a challenge, you could try an ombre from light top to colour at the bottom, but this time I would recommend a shade the same or lighter colour as the top of the lamp.
Duv310660
on Aug 09, 2015
-
These are classic. Leave them alone. If you don't like them sell them as they are. Minus the black shades.
Sherry
on Aug 10, 2015
-
I like the lamp the way it is, ut not the shade.
Liliana Wells
on Aug 10, 2015
-
Does your apartment have a balcony? You could repurpose/upcycle into a birdbath, a planter, or two really cute little side-tables by adding a simple top and perhaps faux-marbling the surface . If you really hate the brass/gold color, paint it with a brushed nickel finish, or any color you like.
Dee
on Aug 10, 2015
-
Just paint them with Rust-Oleum universal metallic forged hammered paint and primer in one. I did this to a pair of ugly lamp bases (used oil-rubbed bronze) and then added nice shades. I get compliments all the time on them. Years ago I didn't have much money so I spray painted my old lamp shades, everyone wanted to know where I bought them at. Also try a Pottery Barn or a Restoration outlet store, they sometimes have nice shades at a lower prices. Always take your lamp with you when you go shopping for a shade, and ask other females around you for help or suggestions...I do. Good Luck.
Ann
on Aug 11, 2015
-
I bought similar ones with gold and green at an auction - $1 for the pair. I had trouble with the paint adhering to the smooth green finish. I used the textured paint and added a couple different shade options for two different looks.
Shari Jamieson
on Aug 11, 2015
-
Wrap the pole with mariner's rope, using a glue like Quick Grip.. mainly at the beginning and end; or glue driftwood pieces on it, then brush with a clear sealer or polyurethane.
Zan Benedict Keats
on Sep 14, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
