Looking at this lamp's various mottled browns brings up more associations of motel decor from days gone by than a cute kid's room. Oh, please, Merrilee of Mer Mag, tell us you found a way to make this lamp fabulous for your boys shared room.
Of course you did! Bright yellow spray paint turns a seemingly drab retro lamp into a beacon of light. Not only does it give the room a punch of color, her boys can cosy up and read by its warm glow. Well played.
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(Images: mer mag)
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Great idea! I am doing the same thing with several old lamps! I am also learning how to rewire and add hardware for the lampshades! Nice post!
When I saw the "before" I thought there was NO way it could look even half way decent, but I was wrong! The "after" is awesome! I love it! Just goes to show that you can make anything look good!
So simple and so gorgeous.
Wow- much better.
I did the same with one of the ubiquitous brass lamps found at every garage sale for $3. (Looks like a turned wooden spire). The bright yellow Rustoleum spray paint is great.
CUTE! When I saw the before picture, I somehow knew they were going to paint it yellow :) It's in fashion, I guess.
Fantastic!! So inspirational...!
Love the desk as a bedside table too!
Excelent, it really shows the value of recycling and upcycling.
Thanks for this post. I have a vase that is quite similar to this lamp shape and style. It belonged to my grandparents and I don't want to get rid of it, but now I have the idea to paint it and make it into a lamp. FUN!
awesomeness!
another mcm classic ruined... : (
Franzmendoza, you see a mcm classic ruined. Merrilee saw a lamp she didn't like, that she wouldn't have any use for, and was able to easily and cheaply change it into something she and her family love. This is not a $2000 chair. It's a cheap lamp, probably found at a garage sale or somewhere similar, that might have been thrown away. Now it's useful again. Different strokes for different folks.
Yes, let's keep the "mcm classic ruined" for furniture or things so beautiful they're works of art. This lamp was not something to mourn over losing. I LOVE the MCM style, but this wasn't a beautiful hand blown glass vase lamp. My only problem is that I had my fingers crossed that it was going to be orange, not yellow. "Well played" is right!
Is there any special technique or product for spray painting glazed ceramics? The spray paint bubbled or cracked when I tried it.
H A W T !
Love! After turning a nasty brass 80's lamp into a cute lacquer white lamp with a funky shade I think its the only way I'm going to buy lamps!
Great look and so fun to take a tired lamp and add life to it. I do have to say that an updated lampshade would take it to the next level. A standard drum shade would look great.
Fun! I like keeping the shape of the shade, but I think putting some broad stripes on it would add a cute touch.
I appreciate that it's just an old lamp of no great value, but sorry, but I agree with Franzmendoza. The paint has destroyed the subtle texture of the old ceramic finish.
I would have liked to see the shade swapped or recovered with something fun and funky - somehow I doubt the white one is the original. That would have dragged the lamp into the 21st century without compromising its history.
very simple change but it definitely packs a punch. nice!
i AM a sucker for yellow though!
I've got to the point where I just roll my eyes at all the "I liked it better before" comments.
Not everything old is fabulous, peeps, they made stuff that was total junk in the middle of last century just like they do now. That lamp was no design classic and it looks awesome in yellow.
Yes, Tissy, some wide, black, vertical stripes on the shade. Love it!
So easy and yet soooo cute.