Most of you know that thrift stores can yield some real treasures. That is where I bought the pair of lamps I'm featuring today. I liked the lines and design of them but I wasn't wild about the brassy finish. I bought them with the vague idea that I would do something with them someday. We needed lamps in the living room and new lamps are SO expensive. So I brought them home, put bulbs in them and snap! They didn't work. :( Always a chance you take when buying used items. I did think of the possibility that they wouldn't work but this thrift store advertises that their stuff works.... I also knew that hardware stores and home improvement store sell rewiring kits so I wasn't too bothered about the fact that they ended up not working. I went and bought 2 rewiring kits for around $5 each and rewired them. Now I just needed to find some cheap shades that didn't look cheap. (HA!) I looked but wasn't finding what I wanted. So, the lamps sat.... Until the other day when I saw
this post on Stephanie's blog. It was a light bulb moment (no pun intended) - I wanted to try that on these lamps! I could so see it!
Here they are before:
(Sorry about the poor pictures...)
And here they are after - in their 'oil rubbed bronze paint with Spanish Copper Rub-n-Buff' loveliness.
And here are a few things that happened in between. When I took them apart to rewire them, I discovered the one was broken.
So, I raided DH's shop and found this:
Brushed it on and let it 'set'.
Here it is after I put the lamp back together - you can see it a little but it's proof that I 'did it myself'.
Much less noticeable after it's painted -
Some shots of the work in progress. Yup, I did it in the kitchen. It was too cold outside and I was inspired to get it done NOW. Do you ever get that kind of inspiration? When you have a vision/mission and nothing's gonna stop you from accomplishing it? That's how it came about that I used my kitchen table for this lamp redo. :)
So, what do you think? I think they're much more elegant now - not so dated. Now to find the perfect shade without paying a fortune.....
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The transformation is awesome. Thank you for sharing this idea!
ReplyDeleteThey turned out gorgeous!! Love 'em!! You're very brave to spray paint in your kitchen, lol! But I know that feeling of wanting something done NOW! I'm so happy I could be an inspiration for you, that's the cherry on top for me.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about doing this to some hardware in my kitchen but I love the lamp idea! I amgoing to look for something to spray!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the Spanish Copper Rub and Bronze?
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, I bought the Rub-n-Buff at Hobby Lobby. If you don't have one of those, I imagine Michaels or AC Moore or some like craft shop would have it. At Hobby Lobby, it's in the acryllic craft paint aisle. It comes in a small tube on a cardboard-backed pack. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff! I haven't used JB Weld, but Hubs swears by it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by today and huge Congrats on your feature at DIY ShowOff! Wow!
Rachel - what a great new look. Thanks for using AMACO's Rub 'n Buff. We do carry this in about 17 colors which you can find on our website here http://bit.ly/cjZjBh
ReplyDeleteI have an old floor lamp that needs some help, I'll have to try this!
ReplyDeleteI just came across your lamp photo and they are amazing. Looks 100% professionally done. Did you use the Rub n buff just on the edges? The detail on the lamps made them perfect for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your compliment, Marti! I did just do the edges with the Rub n Buff. A tiny bit on the tip of my finger and and gently tracing the design got me the look I wanted. It only takes a light touch if you just want the edges highlighted. Hope this answers your question. :)
DeleteI inherited two of my granny's table lamps. I can't wait to try this on them. Did you get the "oil rubbed bronze" spray paint at Hobby Lobby as well?
ReplyDeleteCamille, I got the spray paint from Lowes, but any hardware store should carry it. It's in the "Metallics" line of paint. Best wishes on your project!
DeleteDid you use any type of primer before you spray painted? Also, what brand of ORB spray paint did you use? I LOVE the look of these!
ReplyDeleteI love how your lamps turned out. I have a question for you. I am planning to accomplish the same for my chandeliers. I purchased the metallic oil rub bronze but it is too flat in colour. I just read you also used the Rub n Buff spanish copper. So, did you spray painted the lamps first and then waited for them dry and rubbed the other product over to achieve the two colours as it shows on the lamps? Please reply, I will appreciate it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteYou dont seem to fully say how you did this. As someone just said, so did you spray paint the lamps first, if so with what, did you then first or after it dried rub in the Rub 'n Buff Spanish Copper ???
Wayne