DIY Projects


This is one entry of what will become MANY (I have tons of projects I've completed, & just have to get around to uploading & writing about them!)

I have a set of identical matching lamps.  They were my dad's.  Not my taste, but I inherited them.  I knew I was hanging on to them for some reason!  Last week, I plucked one of the lucky lamps for a revamp.  It was a dark brown.  The shade (darn it, I only had one shade for the two lamps) was.....not my style AT ALL.  While I don't have the 'before' shot of what it looked like before I tore it up, here is a photo of one I pulled from online, resembling it's shape & fabric.  (Ew).

So, I grabbed a knife, and DUG in!  I tore of the two layers of fabric (outside layer & the inner layer).  I was LOVING what I was seeing!  I was HOPING for an industrial-look, & was pleased to see I could achieve it.  The hardest part was scraping off the globs of clear glue that held the fabric to the wire shade.   

Afterwards, I taped-off anything I didn't want painted.  I wrapped a plastic shopping bag around the wire shade, because I wanted that left untouched, in it's natural wire color (dark bronze).  This left the top of the shade exposed, which I was going to paint a fetching shade of red.  Here is an example of what I'm talking about:


Next, I hightailed it downstairs to the basement to begin spray painting.  I'll probably mention this in many of my blog entries, but I have what resembles a paint store in my basement.  Pretty rows & shelves, all holding paint cans in gallons, quarts, and tons of cans of spray paint.  Whatever I can't get in a spray can doesn't matter, because I have a paint sprayer too.  So, I went "shopping" downstairs and selected "Colonial Red" in a satin.  I had used it previously spraying some baskets I keep in my pantry.

So, after spraying the lamp itself, the top part of the wire shade, and the decorative finial, here is my end result:



To top-off the look I was going for, I chose an Edison-style light bulb (we keep a huge supply of light bulbs too, so I "went shopping" at home for that too.).  So, if you happen to have some old/ugly lamps laying around, consider sprucing them-up and letting them get a second-chance!  The more intricate the lamp shade (scallops, etc), the better the end-result.

TOTAL COST OF LAMP REVAMP: $0 (ZERO DOLLARS!!!)
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Dining Room Chandelier DIY project:


I wanted a look that was 'industrial'/antique, but also delicate & pretty, so I decided to buy the most intricate-looking antique lamp shade with the proportions that I liked.  Here is the 'before' shot after getting home from the antique shop an hour away:




And here is a photo of the same shade, after I sprayed it a satin black:



....and here is a shot of the rest of the lighting/chandelier project.  The light cages were $4 each!
They came shiny & brass, so I sprayed them satin black to match the rest of the lighting project.
 The lighting kits themselves came from IKEA.
And the bar-piece (also sprayed black) came from ebay for $20!





TOTAL COST OF THE DIY CHANDELIER: $53







HOW TO:

First step: I went antique shopping, looking or the PERFECT old lamp shade.  (the middle shade featured).  The 'uglier' & MORE intricate the shade, the BETTER, TRUST ME.  You have to envision what it will look like when you STRIP off all of the old dirty fabric around the shade.  The more wire it has, the better the result will be.  Also, I LOVE the scalloped edges - I think it gives a femininity to the fixture.  The cost for the shade: $10 exactly. 

ANYHOW, take a knife & scissors to the shade & TEAR that baby up.  The old ones tend NOT to be glued on (bonus; less messy), but they ARE sewn on, so it'll take some work.  Total time to strip: maybe 20 minutes.  

Next: went online & searched for the 'cages' seen here on the right & left sides, positioned slightly higher than the middle shade.  They cages (& the shade in the middle) did not COME this color - you'll have to paint them the color of your choosing.  I chose a satin black finish.  Each cage cost $4, purchased online.  THAT'S ALL!  YAY!  Then, you just open it up (how it's shown above), to make it look like a pretty flower. :)  Make sure you get exactly the openness that you want, because once you paint it, you need to stick with that.  

Paint them all the same color....or not.  I contemplated painting the middle (large) shade a blue/green, but, mixed that idea in the end.  

Next step: go to Ikea.  Buy 3 of their lamp kits - the wire (already black) w/the socket attached.  They are $5 each, so this cost $15 total.  If you don't have an IKEA near you, World Market sells them in different colors, but I think they are $13.   

Purchased the light 'bar' from ebay for $20.  It was white.  I painted that satin black as well.  It had white wires that it came with (& light socket), but the color was all wrong.  Just strung the IKEA ones through it, & we were good to go.  Cut the cords once threaded in the bar.  They come VERRRRY long.  

Then just hang your fixture & add 3 filament bulbs!  (Dimmer suggested)  

I love this so, so much!  $53!!!  We are going to make a 2-light 'mini' version of this (less costly too) for above the kitchen sink & spray everything satin nickel/chrome.    

So do it!  Go out & make yours today!  You'll love it & won't be able to stop staring at it!!  
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Right after we completed the dining room fixture, we knew we wanted to do it again on a smaller scale in the kitchen (above the sink, where the window is).  

Take a peek! (They look like pretty little flowers to me!)




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Next up, I'm going to show & tell you how to make your own sunburst mirror!  It's huge and beautiful!  I copied the look from the Ballard Designs $349 version.  Are you so excited to see it?  It's done and beautiful.  I have the pics on my other computer though, so you'll just have to wait until I can hop on it and post 'em up here.  Soon!  Promise.

The $349 look:


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