3 Little Greenwoods

Home Decor Projects, Easy Crafts, & Party Planning Tips

by: Ashley Greenwood

The Beast from Goodwill (a lamp redo)

Check out my prize I found at the Goodwill. I know you’re jealous.

The Beast from Goodwill (a lamp makeover) @ 3littlegreenwoods

I mean who wouldn’t want this ridiculously tall beast of a lamp with all that tarnished, brassy goodness?

The Beast from Goodwill (a lamp makeover) @ 3littlegreenwoods

Just look at that shade!

But the Beast really was calling to me. It was only $12 and there was a brand new shade sitting a few shelves over that was only $3. With a little love, it would be a perfect lamp for the empty table in the living room.

See how pretty she is now?

The Beast from Goodwill (a lamp makeover) @ 3littlegreenwoods

Like everyone else in DIY-Land I wanted to try out Krylon’s Looking Glass spray paint. Mercury glass lamps are big and this ugly thing was a perfect makeover candidate.

To complete the project you will need the following supplies:

  • Krylon Looking Glass spray paint (quite pricey, found at Hobby Lobby)
  • a cloth
  • a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar
  • a spray bottle (shh – don’t tell Honey I borrowed use it all the time his spray bottle)

The technique is to spray your piece with a light coating of the Looking Glass paint then quickly spray with vinegar water. The paint will bubble up. Let the paint dry for a few minutes then dab off the water with a cloth.

The Beast from Goodwill (a lamp makeover) @ 3littlegreenwoods

I don’t think I got the process quite right because my lamp does not look like the ones I saw on Pinterest. But I like the look. The shiny silver looks much better than the tarnished brass.

Here’s my Beauty!

Remember the new lampshade on the shelf near the Beast? It got a little classy with a wide black grosgrain ribbon.

Pretty good before and after, huh?

This is what Tootsie was doing while I remade the Beast. Spinning circles in the dining room.

She thought the original shade was a great toy!

And the truth is I kept the lamp shade. Why would I keep that monstrously huge thing? I’m really not sure. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll think of something fun to do with it.

Anybody out there got a great project using an 18″ barrel lampshade from 1962?

@ 3littlegreenwoods

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I love to share my projects with these fabulous blogs:

“Get Your DIY On” {A 16 Week Fall Party Challenge} @ Just a Girl and Her Blog, Inspiration Monday Party @ I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Too Cute Tuesdays @ Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Pin Me Linky Party @ Diana Rambles, What I Whipped Up Wednesdays @ Sugar and Dots, BeBetsy, It’s a Party @ A Creative Princess, Southern State of Mind, What we love Wednesday @ Soda Pop Avenue Work, It Wednesday @ The Blissful Bee, Give Me the Goods Monday @ Rain On a Tin Roof & So Much Better with Age, Shine on Fridays @ Young and Crafty,  Inspire Me Tuesdays @ A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Home{work} Wednesdays @ Atta Girl Says, Crystal and Co. with The Mommy Club: Share Your Resources and Solutions , The Chic and Crafty Linky Party with The Frugal Girls & Share Your Creativity Saturdays with Aimee at It’s Overflowing, “Thrifty & Vintage Finds” Link Party @ Dagmar’s Home.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    Oh I love the makeover, it looks amazing. Your finish turned out pretty. I am with you, I have tried the same thing and mine didn’t look like the instructions either. Not sure what I did wrong. Your shade is lovely with the new ribbon. I love your daughter playing with the shade, she is adorable. Thanks so much for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  2. 3

    Crystal says

    This is a brilliant project. I also love finding things for next to nothing (or nothing) and with a little creativity, it’s a whole new piece. Great job and happy to see someone got use of that lamp shade 🙂

    Crystal

    Reply
  3. 5

    Karena says

    Wow I love what you accomplished! Ashley!!
    I have been wanting to try that Looking Glass Spray!
    The ribbon trim on the shade really makes it!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2013 Artists Series

    Reply
  4. 7

    Denise says

    I love this project. This is one of the first times I have been on your blog! What a great transformation from your previous life with the Carver Bears!

    Reply
    • 8

      Ashley says

      Hey Denise! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a sweet note. Please follow me by email or Bloglovin to keep up with all the fun I’m having. And tell everyone else to follow along too!

      Reply
    • 10

      3littlegreenwoods says

      I am way too lazy to use primer first! 😉

      I just sprayed on the paint, misted with water/vinegar then blotted off the water with a rag. Easy peasy! I’ve got a few glass candlesticks that might need a little silver. You should try it!

      Reply
  7. 13

    Sarah says

    This looks really good. I too was drawn to a huge lamp at a rummage sale this summer. It’s in my garage and I plan to use it in my daughter’s nursery this fall. Love to see a finished product for some inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • 14

      3littlegreenwoods says

      Thanks for stopping by! Your “Baby Bump Jack-o-lantern” outfit is a HOOT!

      My Tootsie would love Annie’s single serve mac and cheese but I’ve got to make the Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese for me!

      I’m following along to see what other fun things you come up with!

      Ashley @3littlegreenwood

      Reply
  9. 16

    Krista @ the happy housie says

    Lamp redos are one of my favourite things Ashley!! I love the process you used to – similar to the way I just made my faux potion bottles for Halloween. Thank you so much for linking this up at the Get Your DIY On Fall Challenge: Spray Paint! We hope to see you come on back over this evening (7pm EST) and bring along a chalkboard project!!
    ~Krista from the happy housie

    Reply

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