Boho Lampshade Makeovers

I live in Los Angeles and even though we don't get snow, we still get cloudy, gloomy days that make me long for sunshine.  I think that's why I love color so much.  It just makes me happy!  On a recent trip to the thrift store, I found these 4 lamps (with shades) for $20.  This "thrift-score" turned out to be the PERFECT project to brighten up my rooms with color and some extra light.  After scrounging around for fabrics to recover the shades, I soon realized I would have to paint them myself to get the colors I wanted.  I whipped out my Gel Press and got the most beautiful combinations going.  There is always a way to create just what you need!  Happy Tuesday and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 The boho sisters!

Family portrait

On the back patio waiting for their new homes

Watch how I made them here!

STUFF I USED

12" X 14" Gel Press

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

DecoArt Gold Extreme Sheen

Glue Gun

Lampshades

White Cotton Fabric

Medallion Stencil

Trim

HERE'S HOW

1.  Squeeze out 3 colors of Americana Multi Surface Satin paint on your Gel Press

2.  Roll and blend the edges

3.  Press the fabric on top and gently pull from the Gel Press

4. & 5. Try stripes and different color combinations

6.  Spread a contrasting paint on the Gel Press and add Gold Extreme Sheen for extra luster

7. Place your stencil on the Gel Press and some paper over any exposed part of the Gel Press that might have paint on it

*We want the stencil transfer to be perfectly clean

8.  Press your fabric on top of the stencil making sure to get every detail

*Don't use a brayer as it might shift the fabric

9.  Carefully pull the fabric to reveal your perfect stencil

10. & 11.  Trace a section of your lampshade on cotton fabric to create your pattern

*Pin it on the fabric and go over the edges with a crayon

12.  Use this to cut out your lampshade panels

13.  Remove all of the bulky trim for the lampshades leaving only the fabric

14.  Carefully glue the panels on top of the existing fabric on each shade

15.  Hot glue trim to cover the raw edges

16. Use beaded and tassel trim on the top and bottom once you've covered the sides

Let there be light!

3 Thrift Store Lamp Makeovers!

For some reason I've been scoring at the thrift store when it comes to interesting lamps!  I find them for less than $5 with the shades and they are always super fun to makeover.   Check out my latest creations complete with shade makeovers, too.  My favorite is the paisley lamp shade with black ribbon trim.  I made 2 for my bedroom and absolutely love them.   Next time you need a lamp, head to the thrift store first and see what you can paint and decoupage to match your space.   So much more fun than hunting around for something to match.  Remember one man's trash is another man's treasure....Oh, and always Make Your Mark!

Perfectly Paisley, Fornasetti Inspired and Flower Power

Watch the makeovers here!

Start with a selection of working, thrifted lamps and shades

(If you can, check the wiring at the store before you buy)

Perfectly Paisley

 Here's how

1. 2. & 3.  Tape over the cord and paint the entire lamp base with Americana Decor Satin Enamels in your favorite color and let dry

4. & 5.  Add highlights using a slightly damp rag with DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Gold Rush

6.  Remove the fabric from the original lampshade

7.  Press paper over one of the sections of wire to create a pattern and trace around it with a crayon

8. & 9.  Cut out the pattern and then cut out the panels in fabric

*Make sure that the fabric panels are all the same if you're using a pattern.  This means cutting them one at a time if you have to!

10.  One by one glue the fabric panels to each wire section of the shade 

11.  Glue 1/4" ribbon over where the fabric panels meet to cover the seams

12.  Glue more 1/4" ribbon around the top and bottom rim of the shade

*When you get to the end, fold the ribbon over 1/4" to make a clean finish

Fornasetti Inspired

 Here's how

1. & 2.  Paint the lamp with Americana Decor Satin Enamel in black

3. Carefully cut out a print that you want to decoupage on the lamp

*Check out http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ for an amazing selection to choose from

4.  Mist the front and back of the image with water to relax the paper

5.  6. & 7.   Add Americana Decoupage to the back of the image and apply it to the lamp

8.  Coat the image with more Decoupage

9.  Add a metallic gold border with a paint marker

Flower Power

Here's how

1. & 2.  Paint the base of the lamp with Americana Decor Chalky Finish in your favorite color

3.  Remove the fabric from the original lampshade

4. & 5.  Fold fabric on the diagonal and cut enough 2" wide strips to wrap your shade

*Do the math:  Measure the shade top to bottom and around and multiply to get a good idea of how much you will need

6.  Glue the strips together with hot glue to make very long strips

7.  Wrap the shade from top to bottom until you've gone all the way around

8. & 9.  Cut out fabric roses and glue them on the wrapped shade

Done, done and done!

Marbled Thrift Store Lamp DIY!

I love a good thrift store find, don't you?  Who can resist a big white lamp for $5 bucks?  I certainly can't!  I decided to see if my spray paint marbling technique would work on this huge lamp base and to my great joy, it did.  While I was at it, I decided to give the lampshade a little makeover, too.  Why stop just at the base?  If you find a lamp that will work for this project and it's not already white, just spray paint it.  Have fun!

  xoxo, Mark

I love the gold base!  Shhh....It's painted wood.

Classic!

Watch the short video tutorial here

YOU'LL NEED

Thrift store lamp (painted white)

Round wood plaque

E-6000 Glue

Americana Multi-Surface Metallic Gold

Americana Multi Purpose Sealer

Spray mount

Clear acrylic spray

Gray spray paint

2 yards cotton fabric

Bias tape maker