• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 6, 2013

Brass Lamp Makeover: gilded and spray painted lamp shade

navy and brass lamp makeover with painted lamp shade

I found it residing waayyy back in the corner on the bottom shelf hiding behind all of the other lamps.  You know back there in the brass wasteland.  I loved its beautiful shape and cute little shell finial but it was looking a little shabby topped off with an tattered pleated shade four sizes too big.

brass lamp makeover

I decided to rescue her, minus the shade, with whispers and glances following me out the door.  “Doesn’t she KNOW brass is so 1987?!”   BUT I knew.  I knew…brass is back…and paired with navy, why it’s plain HOT! HOT! HOT! (Name THAT 1987 song!) 

I dug out an old shade that had seen better days and had lost its lamp base long ago.  I purchased my favorite new shade of blue, Indigo Streamer.  The same paint I used on my spray paint bookcase makeover and formulated a plan….this brass bombshell needed a spray painted lamp shade!

spray paint and gilded lamp shade makeover tutorial

TUTORIAL:

lamp shade
valspar indigo streamer
painters tape (2 sizes .94 inch and 1.41 inches)
brass gilding liquid
angled paint brush

Tape off spider so all metal is covered.  Using the painters tape create largest stripe by wrapping paint around the bottom of the shade.  smooth tape so that there are not gaps allowing paint to seep under.  Place second piece along edge of bottom tape as a “divider” between stripes.  Place third piece above this one.  Remove middle piece of tape.  Make sure second piece of tape is pressed down smoothly to avoid paint seepage.  Lightly spray several coats of paint on the outside and inside of shade, until you have proper coverage.  Once paint is dry, carefully remove tape.  Using angled brush carefully gild bottom stripe. Allow to dry.  Remove tape from spider and place on lamp base.

brass lamp makeover with spray painted and gilded lampshade

See how hip an old brass lamp can look with a trendy navy and gilded lamp shade?

navy and brass lamp makeover with spray paint and gilded lamp shade 2

Who’s snickering  now over my brass lamp purchase? 😉

Brass Lamp Makeover with spray paint and gilded lamp shade 1

signature

Here’s three more amazing “trash to treasure” makeovers!

trash to treasure

how to make wooden letters trash to treasure

Wooden Molding Letters from KariAnne of Thistlewood Farm

sassy message board thumbnail
Sassy Message Board from Rain On a Tin Roof

treasure-box-300
Little Girl’s Treasure Box from So Much Better With Age

Have you entered our Libby’s Slow Cooker Giveaway we having going on right now? What are you awaiting for! 

26 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, Tutorials Tagged With: lamps, spray paint, spray paint projects

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Canned Apricots 3 Ways & Slow Cooker Giveaway!
Next Post: Fall Shopping At the Picket Fence! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle says

    September 6, 2013 at 5:15 AM

    Love it!! Hot, hot, hot!!

    Reply
  2. laura@Top This Top That says

    September 6, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    love the painted lamp shade. looks marvelous!

    Reply
  3. Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says

    September 6, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    Beautiful! The lamp looks very fresh and elegant!

    Reply
  4. Anita says

    September 6, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    I love it too!! So updated and retro at the same time. I’ve been bringing out my brass too and mixing it in with everything else.

    Reply
  5. Martina says

    September 6, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Love it!! That shade is perfect for that pretty lamp!

    Reply
  6. Anne@DesignDreams says

    September 6, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    Brass is baaaaack!!!!! It looks awesome with the navy blue. Great job!!

    Reply
  7. Brenda Kula-Pruitt says

    September 6, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    I’m not laughing. I’ve always loved blue and that shade is one of my favorites. I knew blue was coming back into vogue. It’s gorgeous with the gold lamp. Just gorgeous.
    Brenda

    Reply
  8. Ashley says

    September 6, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    Wow.. never would have thought a brass lamp could have looked so well! Love it : )

    Reply
  9. Miss Charming says

    September 6, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Seriously, LOVE this! One of my favorite lamp makeovers.

    Reply
  10. Jenna says

    September 6, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    So, navy and gold is my thang. If this lamp turns up missing, it wasn’t me. I love it. A lot. A lot.

    Reply
  11. Jessica @ Decor Adventures says

    September 6, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    Love it. Gold is to HOTT! And perfect with navy and that pumpkin you snuck in there – I see it 🙂

    Reply
  12. Cheryl siciliano says

    September 6, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    I had those exact lamps in 1984 and a camel back navy sofa. Love what you did to the lamp!

    Reply
  13. Betsy(@coastal-colors) says

    September 6, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    What a fantastic makeover! I’m thrilled brass is making a comeback! I think it adds such a touch of elegance to a room. Heather, the shade is amazing! You turned an outdated lamp into a jewel!

    Reply
  14. Judy says

    September 6, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    I love your brass lamp…it looks awesome. I wish I hadn’t given mine away years ago now. Very chic makeover!

    Reply
  15. Pat says

    September 6, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    Love it! You did a marvelous job with this ~

    xo
    Pat

    Reply
  16. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    September 6, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    LOVE the navy & brass combo!! Looks great.

    Reply
  17. kristin says

    September 7, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    This is such a pretty transformation!!
    XXOO
    kristin

    Reply
  18. Anne says

    September 8, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Beautiful transformation!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    September 8, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Gorgeous!!! The navy really makes the brass pop!! Love the stripes on the shade too!

    Reply
  20. Alexis @ Persia Lou says

    September 9, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    That lamp is awesome. Great find!

    Reply
  21. Loribeth says

    September 11, 2013 at 2:16 AM

    What a terrific find. I’ll admit, I probably would have passed it up, but only because I haven’t jumped back into the brass thing yet. Still, you made it look darling with that lamp shade! Great job! I know I wouldn’t have thought of it!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Sassy Fabric Covered Message Board {Trash to Treasure Series} – Rain on a Tin Roof says:
    September 6, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    […] Navy and Brass Lamp Makeover from At The Pickett Fence […]

    Reply
  2. Trash to Treasure! - So Much Better With Age says:
    September 6, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    […] Heather from At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  3. How to Add Gold Accents to Furniture Using Spray Paint and Rub-n-buff says:
    September 9, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    […] Gilded and Spray Painted a Lamp Shade Gilded and Framed Botanicals […]

    Reply
  4. A Southern Summer Home Tour 2014 - At The Picket Fence says:
    June 6, 2014 at 3:37 AM

    […] spray painted and gilded lampshade  […]

    Reply
  5. Blue Home Decor Ideas …I've got the blues! - At The Picket Fence says:
    June 26, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    […] took an old thrift store lampshade and with a little spray paint and gilding liquid, gave it a fun contemporary […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best friend! Oregon came through with perfect weather for my wonderful husband’s birthday and we made the most of it by taking the convertible to our favorite winery and soaking up the sunshine, yummy food and wine. Then we had a lovely time celebrating with family at our home. Robb is truly the most amazing husband and father and all around incredible man. He loves and leads us well so it’s such a joy to get to honor him on his special day. 🎂

“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good.” Matthew 12:35
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m s It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m sharing with you two critical things to determine if you want to create order in your home which leads to a much more peaceful experience for everyone. As a recovering perfectionist, this has been one of my greatest lessons and I hope it encourages you today! 🍃
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence