February is thrift month for Ahava Designs TX and every single one of this month's posts will be centered around thrift store items revamped! As I have said before, Ahava Designs TX thrives in the redesign and restoration of vintage and antique lighting and home furnishings, so naturally I spend much time in resale and thrift stores; and I love it! Nothing that I sell, with the exception of the handmade lamp shades, is brand new. Everything has been thrifted and was purchased as an antique and then restored and redesigned- EVERYTHING!! And one of my favorite thrift store items to hunt are lamps. They are usually in resale shops in masses, overlooked and untouched. But let me tell you, there are so many lamps that are absolute treasure finds that with a little TLC, can be reinvented to jazz up any room's lighting! Here's How!
QUICK DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
I never pay more than $10 for a thrift store or resale lamp, period. In addition to that, I always judge the potential of the lamp, focusing on such things as these:
- Can the base be redesigned or repainted and it look good? What does the original material that it is made of look like? cracks or chips? ceramic or wood?
- What do the electrical gadgets look like? Are they extremely aged and damaged? Is the cord in tact? I NEVER NEVER NEVER purchase lamps where the electrical business looks out of business. If the cord has any cuts or stray wires, leave it. Your safety is #1.
- Has it been redesigned or repainted before? If I can tell that a lamp has been redesigned or repainted already, I leave it. I want it in its original state, as sometimes when something is redesigned or repainted already, you can over do it and this could cause it to look tacky, the new design not to look like you planned, or safety risks as far as the electrical component is concerned if its coated for days in paint.
Ok, let's dive in!
Step 1:
The first step is simply thrifting and finding the perfect lamp for you. Don't worry if the shade looks shady! You are focused more on the base, as a shade can be tossed or replaced easily. Assess it once again for durability, electrical safety, and redesign potential. Remove the lamp shade if there is one, as well as any harps and finials that may have attached the shade to the actual lamp base.
The first step is simply thrifting and finding the perfect lamp for you. Don't worry if the shade looks shady! You are focused more on the base, as a shade can be tossed or replaced easily. Assess it once again for durability, electrical safety, and redesign potential. Remove the lamp shade if there is one, as well as any harps and finials that may have attached the shade to the actual lamp base.
Step 2:
Using painters tape, tape over the cords, making sure that you cover every inch. I like to place a quart size ziplock over my cord, and then tape it closed with the painters tape. Also, cover the fitter, the knob that turns it one, and the spot that holds the bulb tightly and completely with the painters tape. Please make sure that this is covered in its entirety, as if paint gets in these areas, it is not recommended for use. Paint is flammable.
Using painters tape, tape over the cords, making sure that you cover every inch. I like to place a quart size ziplock over my cord, and then tape it closed with the painters tape. Also, cover the fitter, the knob that turns it one, and the spot that holds the bulb tightly and completely with the painters tape. Please make sure that this is covered in its entirety, as if paint gets in these areas, it is not recommended for use. Paint is flammable.
Step 3:
Once you have covered those areas sufficiently with your painter's tape and nothing but the base is exposed, place it on a plastic tarp or canvas of some sort on top of a hard surface and in a well ventilated area (outdoors). Then, spray your base with a good primer. After the primer dries, choose the spray paint color that you wish to makeover your base with and cover it thoroughly, following the directions on the can. Let it dry outdoors, and then take a look over it to make sure that you have not missed any spots, touch it up if need be, and if not finish the paint process by spraying your base with a top coat or clear sealant.
Once you have covered those areas sufficiently with your painter's tape and nothing but the base is exposed, place it on a plastic tarp or canvas of some sort on top of a hard surface and in a well ventilated area (outdoors). Then, spray your base with a good primer. After the primer dries, choose the spray paint color that you wish to makeover your base with and cover it thoroughly, following the directions on the can. Let it dry outdoors, and then take a look over it to make sure that you have not missed any spots, touch it up if need be, and if not finish the paint process by spraying your base with a top coat or clear sealant.
Step 4:
After several hours and when the paint is completely dry, remove the painters tape carefully from the electrical components and the cord. Double check the felt on the bottom and make sure that it is in tact also. If it is, great! If not, simply purchase an adhesive sheet of felt from your local craft store, sit your base on it, trace the bottom, and cut and adhere the new felt.
After several hours and when the paint is completely dry, remove the painters tape carefully from the electrical components and the cord. Double check the felt on the bottom and make sure that it is in tact also. If it is, great! If not, simply purchase an adhesive sheet of felt from your local craft store, sit your base on it, trace the bottom, and cut and adhere the new felt.
Step 5:
Depending upon what the shade looked like, decide whether or not you will salvage it or trash it. If there are cuts in the shade, whether on the outside or in the enterior, pitch it; as when the light is turned on, any flaws or imperfections will show through. If the print is ugly, no worries. You can cover them with fabric or search for a cool DIY idea similar to some of the ones that we featured late last year to make them over (http://ahavadesignstxdiy.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-garage-sale-100-lamp-shade-turned.html.) Or, you can simply splurge and buy a new one. Because you will have saved so much on the base of the lamp, you have room to splurge when it comes to the shade. But, whatever shade you choose, choose something fun, unique, and that fits the style and flavor that you are looking for.
Depending upon what the shade looked like, decide whether or not you will salvage it or trash it. If there are cuts in the shade, whether on the outside or in the enterior, pitch it; as when the light is turned on, any flaws or imperfections will show through. If the print is ugly, no worries. You can cover them with fabric or search for a cool DIY idea similar to some of the ones that we featured late last year to make them over (http://ahavadesignstxdiy.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-garage-sale-100-lamp-shade-turned.html.) Or, you can simply splurge and buy a new one. Because you will have saved so much on the base of the lamp, you have room to splurge when it comes to the shade. But, whatever shade you choose, choose something fun, unique, and that fits the style and flavor that you are looking for.
And voila! You will have done it again, you DIY diva you- DIY in 5 easy steps!
Until next time,
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