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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 30, 2013

Spray Painted Ceramic Lamps & Thank You Bonnie Seymour

Sigh…I love spray paint so much. It’s like magic in a can.

I love it so much that I wanted to find out who invented it. Taking the time to research this is proof of my love!

The man who’s listed as the inventor of spray paint was named Edward Seymour and “in 1949 he added paint to existing Aerosol technology” (Wikipedia).

But guess who gave him the idea???

His wife!! I smiled at my computer monitor when I read that.

A woman had the idea first and her name was Bonnie Seymour. Yes siree!

Do you think she was a frustrated DIY’er who was looking for an easier way to give things a makeover?

Before and After Spray Painted Ceramic Lamp Makeover from atthepicketfence.com

Do you think she would relate to me, searching high and low for just the right living room lamps? Coveting the ceramic ones she saw online but not willing to pay the crazy prices? Do you think she would have haunted the thrift stores, hoping against hope that she might find just the right ones and then practically knocking people out of the way when she spotted this pair of beauties for only $5 each which is probably what new ones would have cost in 1949?!

thrift store ceramic lamps

And do you think it would be at that moment when she would realize the full power of her idea?

ceramic lamp before

That a person could totally transform something like a ceramic lamp by simple shaking up a can, hearing that glorious sound of the rattling ball inside and spraying whatever color their heart desires!

Spray Painted Ceramic thrift store lamp from atthepicketfence.com

In this case, a beautiful, soft shade of celery green.

spray-painted-ceramic-lamp-on-glass-chest atthepicketfence.com

Oh, Bonnie Seymour, you and I would have been kindred spirits.

Besties.

BFF’s.

Before and After Spray Painted Ceramic Lamp Makeover from atthepicketfence.com

Because you saw the potential for magic when paint was put in a can.

And, I’ll bet, you even let your husband think that it was really all his idea. 😉

But, we know the truth.

And we, and our homes, are forever grateful!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

P.S. The Spray Paint used for this project was Krylon Brand Indoor/Outdoor Gloss in “celery” color.

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Thrifty Decor Chick Before and After Party

P.P.S. I did not receive anything in return for promoting this brand. I just really liked this color! 🙂

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Fall Into Fall 

I’m Lovin’ It Party

34 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, Good Ideas Tagged With: Makeover, spray paint, spray paint projects

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    October 30, 2013 at 5:24 AM

    Those are beauties indeed. Love the color.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 7:10 AM

      Thanks so much Kim! 🙂
      Vanessa

      Reply
  2. Judy says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Love the new color. Great job as always.

    Reply
  3. Thistle says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Hee hee! I love a good idea from a wife. 🙂

    Happy day to you rock star and your lamp is beautiful!

    karianne

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 7:09 AM

      I’m just wondering what she would have thought about Aerosol hair spray! That would have really rocked her world huh? LOL! Thanks for coming by sweet friend!

      Reply
  4. Teresa Stout says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    May I ask the color and brand of spray paint you used?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 9:20 AM

      Hi Teresa! I used Krylon brand Indoor/Outdoor Gloss spray paint in the color “celery”. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    That lamp looks great, Vanessa! Such a great idea to update a lamp like that. I never think of spray painting ceramics.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 7:08 AM

      Thanks Kathy!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    October 30, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    Well you learn something new every day! I love that and I love spray paint. 🙂 The lamp looks beautiful too!
    xo

    Reply
  7. Harriet Hadley says

    October 30, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    What type of spray paint did she use? I have a vase I would love to redo; but, wasn’t sure what type of spray paint. Like y’all–I love spray paint–my daughters’ always call me “THE SPRAY PAINT QUEEN”.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 9:19 AM

      Hi Harriet/Spray Paint Queen! 😉 I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss Spray Paint in “Celery” color. Thanks so much for coming by!

      Reply
  8. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    October 30, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    I just adore a fabulous spray painted lamp makeover! And you’ve just reminded me of a project that I need to get moving on. Oh, and it may involve spray paint. So I’ll give Bonnie a big thank you too!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 9:22 AM

      Thanks so much Linda!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    October 30, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    I am addicted to spray painting lamps! Love yours, Vanessa — and don’t you think Bonnie would’ve fit right in with us?? 😉
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  10. Mimi says

    October 30, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    Spray paint is indeed a wonderful thing. I use it a lot to transform little items like toys to match my Christmas decorations. Truly an incredible invention.

    Reply
  11. CathyT from TX says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    OMG!! I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw these lamps. I have the exact same ones!! They were my grandmothers and I love them but the roses thing just doesn’t go with anything I have. I never thought about doing this. They look completely different sprayed a solid color! Do you have a trick technique to getting the paint so smooth? On my computer, the color looks white instead of a light green but the smooth finish is what is so impressive. Any hints?
    Thanks so much for posting this!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2013 at 2:14 PM

      Hi Cathy! The color pale green color didn’t come through so well on the images but truly the only trick is using the gloss spray paint. I did several layers of it too so it would be really smooth. One thing to be careful of is any dripping that might occur if you spray too much in one spot so I would definitely try to spray lightly and just go layer by layer until you get the look you want! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Angela says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    A girl after my own heart! Just yesterday I visited 3 Goodwill’s in my area looking for lamps to transform! Alas, I came up empty handed but I’m keeping the faith! Yours look magnificent!!~~Angela

    Reply
  13. Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Oh! I have a few of these old lamps in my online boutique and they just have not sold. I also have a couple in storage. I love spray paint and am an avid upcycler. I think I am going to have to try this on one of my old lamps. I love it! I am not a gold person but love silver. I think I will paint the base silver! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  14. Carol Reddin says

    October 30, 2013 at 2:16 PM

    Beautiful lamps Vanessa! Looking forward to seeing them at Christmas!! Mom

    Reply
  15. Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

    October 31, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    Oh my, Vanessa!! How beautiful?!? I see lamps like this all the time at thrift stores… and despite what I would like to call my “eye for upcycling ‘ol junk”… I would have never seen the potential in these lamps!! They turned out AMAZING!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 1, 2013 at 7:48 AM

      Thank you Candace!!

      Reply
  16. Angie says

    October 31, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    Vanessa, How amazing are you, and brave too! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this pos! Not for the beautiful project (which it is) but for your lovely personality that just lit up my day as I read your words. Nice to know someone else thinks like me. I bet I would have loved Bonnie Seymour too.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 1, 2013 at 7:48 AM

      Awww…thanks Angie!! Your comment just made my day! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Julie @ Creating This Life says

    October 31, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    Oh my word. Beautiful! I’ll never look at a thrift store lamp the same way again.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 1, 2013 at 7:47 AM

      Thanks so much Julie! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    November 1, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Oh yes….I think Bonnie and I could be besties as well! Love this redo and that color is fabulous!

    Reply
  19. Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says

    November 3, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    Who knew?! The color is fab 🙂

    Reply
  20. Anita K says

    November 5, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  21. jeanie says

    November 5, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    ok, I am going to be the negative one!!! I have that same lamp handed down to me from my Mom…I really can’t imagine painting it!!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 5, 2013 at 7:04 PM

      Hi Jeanie! You know, if this had sentimental value to me I probably wouldn’t have been able to paint it either! I have lots of pieces which have been passed down to me which I would never dream of painting so I totally understand! 🙂

      Reply
  22. Shirley @ Intelligent Domestications says

    November 18, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    What a fantastic makeover for an outdated but still useful lamp! I’m just glad you had the nerve to go for it and shared it with us! I think I can, I think I can….and now I know how!

    Reply
  23. Aperturas de puertas villa de vallecas says

    September 28, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to
    safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything
    I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?

    Reply

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Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

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