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Lamp Makeover (Another Dumpster Find!)

Last summer while I was at the beach, I found a lamp in a dumpster.  I liked its shape and size and knew that with a little effort I could give it a new life. 

Lamp Makeover by virginiasweetpea.com

The makeover supplies were purchased early last fall and the lamp has patiently been waiting for its makeover.  

It’s now February and a recent snowstorm gave me two precious days of freedom from work, enough time for the makeover.

Dumpster Lamp Before and After

The first thing I did was sand the brass parts of the lamp to remove the rust. 

I then taped the painted glass middle of the lamp and painted the top and bottom pieces gold.

Lamp with middle taped

Isn’t the gold pretty?

Lamp with Gold Paint

I then put plastic bags over the top and bottom and sprayed the middle part of the lamp silver. 

The harp on the lamp probably could have been spray-painted and reused, but rather than do that, I purchased a new one.

New Harp

The lamp now has a new home in our family room beside Mr. SP’s chair.

This chair is about at the end of its life and he is hoping to get a new one for his birthday in May. 

The framed sheet music to the left of Mr. SP’s chair is vintage and belonged to family.  I never get tired of these fun graphics.

Family Room Corner

I really am happy with the way this lamp turned out. 

I got lucky and found the shade on sale at Lowe’s for about $10. 

The framed maps are all historical.  The one to the left is of Lynchburg and the smaller ones are Civil War sites.

Lamp in Family Room

It’s amazing what a few coats of paint and a shade can do for a lamp. 

I’m always on the lookout for lamps while thrifting and rarely see any that I like.  I’m glad that I found this one to save!

Dumpster Lamp Makeover

What projects have you been working on lately?  I’m super happy to mark this lamp makeover off of my list.

Found in a Dumpster Lamp Makeover

31 Comments

  1. What a great makeover! I love the way the silver and gold work together. I think lamps are the most expensive things to buy, I think in almost 24 years of marriage I’ve maybe only purchased 2 or 3 brand new off the shelf. I prefer to find them and make them over, too! Great post!

    1. Making them over is way more fun, Michelle! I also haven’t purchased many lamps in my lifetime. Most of mine are inherited.

    1. Thanks, Kelly! I am so pleased with our new lamp and it didn’t cost much to make over which is an added bonus.

  2. Paula…I pinned a few days ago and again today and commenting now (although I thought I did that). Additionally i think i posted on fb and tweeted. 🙂

  3. BEAUTIFUL job! Love the softness ‘n tone of the gold and silver you used. Could you possible share the brand of the spray paint you used and the name of the colours for both, as wanting to transform some curtain rods. With appreciation if you can.

  4. OMG! You are a lucky lady finding that gorgeous lamp.
    Great transformation. Job well done.

    Greetings,
    /CC girl

  5. Very nice, Paula!! I love your choices in color and shade! That paisley is lovely for $10! Your maps on the wall are so interesting what a nice wall hanging they make! Do I detect a bone of Sherman’s in a few of your pics? 🙂

  6. Wow, what an amazing transformation! I really love the colors you used and the pattern on the shade.

    I’m always nervous painting glass- did you have to do any special prep?

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