How To Make A Distressed Napkin Decoupage Lamp

4 Materials
$8
2 Hours
Easy

If you love the distressed blue and white vase trends this spring, I can’t wait for you to see how I made a napkin decoupage lamp that has a distressed look.

I’ve been seeing these vases everywhere including online at Magnolia. Since I love the look, I ordered some of these napkins to make my own version of these vases.

However, before I could find the vases I wanted, I found this lamp at the Habitat ReStore for only $1.00.

I liked the shape and decided it would make a great napkin decoupage lamp.

Begin by taping the metal parts of the lamp that you don’t want to paint.

I recommend using a this textured spray paint to paint the entire ceramic base of the lamp.

Once the textured paint is dry, secondly, paint that same area with Old White Chalk paint.

In addition, you can paint the metal trim areas with an antique brass paint.

Next, you are ready to add the napkin to the lamp.

Begin by separating the layers of the napkin and then cut the top layer of the napkin into smaller sections using razor edge scissors.

This will allow the pieces to wrap around the curved edges of the lamp without folding.

Next begin adding napkin pieces randomly to the lamp base using Gloss Mod Podge.

Brush mod podge onto lamp with a paint brush in the areas you want the napkin to be applied.

Add the napkin to the top of the mod podge and then brush an additional layer over the top to adhere.

Continue until the lamp base is sufficiently covered.

Distress Lamp

Finally, to distress the lamp, use a mixture of black and brown craft paint and add distress marks to the base in random areas.

Apply some broken spots and some smudged areas as you can see in the photo above.

Finally, apply a mixture of 3 parts mod podge and to 1 part chalk paint over the entire surface of the napkin decoupage lamp base.

Note: Test a small are before covering completely to assure that the mixture isn’t to heavy. You are wanting a milky coverage not completely white.

Allow the mixture to cover heavier in some areas to lighten the pattern which will add to the distressed appearance.

The lamp works perfectly with the new Spring Bedroom Refresh and you can see all the details here.

Did you know that this bedside table is a thrift store transformation? You can see how to transform a cheap chest into this industrial style versions on this post.

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  2 questions
  • Susan QC Susan QC on Apr 24, 2022

    First of all...the lamp is beautiful. Very nice job! I'm wondering about the first coat of Rust-oleum. Did you use that to create a textured surface? If you didn't want the texture, could you just put the chalk paint first? I'd love to try this.

  • Marcha Thompson Marcha Thompson on Apr 23, 2023

    Where do you fine the napkins with layers? They seem so thin these days!

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