Revival of a 80's Floor Lamp End Table

It’s ugly, I know. You can say it…it won’t hurt my feelings. But what did you expect? It cost less than $10.

**It should be noted that I revived this eyesore before I had even considered starting a blog, therefore, I didn’t take many photos. So, instead of “seeing is believing”, you’re just going to have to take my word for it.**

My first order of business was taking off the knobs and hinges. I eventually spray painted them oil-rubbed bronze. If I’m not mistaken, I think I also took off the doors. (Listen people, it’s been close to two years ago and I can’t be expected to remember everything.) None the less, I painted it inside and out with my poor-man’s-version of chalk paint (Plaster of Paris, water, and latex paint). Then I went back over it with sandpaper and distressed it a bit. If I did take the doors off, I eventually put them back on, along with the painted knobs. (Obviously.)

My next order of business was making that pitiful lampshade somewhat presentable. Let me assure you it wasn’t an easy task. I first tried to paint it but that turned out to be an epic fail. It sat in my dining room a few days before I finally came up with a solution. My solution was to cover it in ribbon. What kind? I didn’t know so I took a trip to my local Michael’s store. Lucky for me that day they were having phenomenal sales on ribbon–70% off! It’s a good thing, too. I would have never been able to afford the $16.99 price tag on the kind I chose.

I ended up needing about three rolls of it. All in all, the three rolls on sale cost me LESS than one roll full-price. So, I whipped out my handy-dandy glue gun and went to work. I wrapped it and glued it until I was dizzy. But it was a small price to pay for the big difference it had made. I’m telling you…this was the piece de resistance! See for yourself:

Here they are, side by side, for comparison. But tell me, is there really any comparison?

What would you have done differently? How would you have handled the lamp shade debacle? I'd love to hear from you.