Is it just me, or are lamps getting more and more expensive? It seems like the majority I look at are now hovering around $50, which is too many dollars for my taste. So I was content with my recent lamp makeovers that cost me about $20 each.
I found the formerly brassy bases at Goodwill a couple weeks ago. They aren’t identical twins (more like fraternal or just that cousin that everyone thinks is you from across a crowded room) but they’re close enough and won’t be right next to each other. $12 for the two of them.
Before I spray painted them off-white, I gave them a quick coat of frosted spray paint so that the top coat would adhere better. I’ve had issues with scratches when spray painting metal and wanted to cover all of my bases.
In explanation of this post’s title, one of the lamp bases came with a seriously janky, stained shade that I deposited in Goodwill’s dumpster immediately upon leaving. Well, not immediately. First Rick dropped said shade on the ground and it emitted a gag-inducing cloud of dust and stench. Then I shrieked and did a dance similar reminiscent of the one I rocked out when I found the dead mouse on our bed. And then I deposited it in the dumpster.
Shudder.
Why does Goodwill even put stuff like that out on the shelf? Is it because crazy people like me continue to buy it even if it’s practically hazardous?
The two non-janky shades that don’t make me want to wash myself vigorously are from Target. I contemplated making some just like that when I saw them in the store, but decided that A)the cost difference wouldn’t be worth it once I bought plain shades, fabric, and ribbon (I got them buy one get one 50% off, so they ended up being $15 each) and B) I might not be able to find shades that size and shape, anyway. The self-adhesive one I used here is smaller.
Like this side table, these lamps are also for our living room, but, like I mentioned last week, that room is going through puberty and isn’t ready to show its face yet. Soon.
How much are you willing to spend on a lamp? What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever found at a thrift store?
they look beautiful now- no more crusty, dingy, dusty, stinky, or rusty!
ReplyDeletePretty!! I've seen a lot of gross things. One of our favorite games is to chase my brother around the Salvation Army with tighty whitey's. (sp?)
ReplyDeleteThings:
ReplyDelete1. I agree on the price of lamps - ridiculous!
2. You said, "cover all your bases." Get it? You are "covering the base" of the lamp? Was that a "no pun intended" statement?
3. I LOVE the way the lamps turned out!! beautiful.
4. Sometimes I think the Goodwill lamps are too expensive. They are usually $15 at my Goodwill without shades. Hmmm.
Love those shades! I've been looking for an idea to spruce mine up in the Guest Bedroom and I believe this is it!
ReplyDeleteI think their new names should be Shiny, Glossy and Chic.
Oh and sometimes the chairs and upholstered items they have at thrift stores make my skin crawl. They look like they have something living in the cushions.
We once saw a kid sleeping on a thrift store couch chewing on a thrift store pool noodle. He wasn't super little either. EW.
DeleteI hate how expensive (nice) lamps are now. That's why I spray painted ours (you can check them out here) but I need to do something about the shades. They're terrible. I may try to recover them, and if that doesn't work, I'll just try to find some new ones!
ReplyDeleteLamps are ridiculously expensive these days. I've noticed most of the time that doesn't include the shade, which can cost as much as the lamp. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteYours look great!
Great makeover on the lamps!
ReplyDeleteYou know what blows my mind at thrift stores? Underwear. Pre-worn underwear.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you seriously have a knack for seeing things in these pieces... you would never know those two lamps were one and the same. I just don't have that kind of vision! C'est awesome.
I'm such a scent snob. If it stinks, it's a deal-breaker. I can't get over le pew (sp?). I'm a weenie.
ReplyDeleteOmg, I totally hear you on this one. In fact last week on Facebook, I posted how ridiculously expensive lamp shades are. I had bought some fabulous lamps from Goodwill as well, for about $3 ea, and I have been looking for some great shades since this summer. I might have to go back to Target and find those you picked up.
ReplyDeleteThe lamps look great! You can't buy those in a store...
ReplyDeleteLamps are just ridiculous! And I haven't found anything good at our Goodwills either. I can't wait for yard sale season!
ReplyDeleteOh! And your lamps look great now Erin! I love the shades!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the frosted glass paint tip! I painted a brass lamp off white and it has a few little chips. grrr. But you turned these into two beauties! Love them :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new lamp! I'm impressed Target has lamp shades that sharp looking, too.
ReplyDeleteOne of our cats left us a dead rat... in a sewing basket full of fabrics, etc. Didn't find it til it started smelling. The basket had been overturned, so I picked it up and then started smelling all the fabrics (PUTTING THEM UP TO MY FACE!!) until at the bottom of the pile, I found the problem. I can very much imagine your dance and scream, interspersed with shudders, because it was probably similar to mine. Ewww. I had to write a blog post about it, too. ;-)
EWWWWWWW okay you win. That is WAY worse than a dead mouse on a bed. Grosssss...
DeleteLove the shades! The lamps look terrific! I just love what a little paint can do. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletei was just in the home section of TJ Maxx this weekend in the lamp aisle remarking to my hubs that "lamps are friggen expensive!" you know its a bad sign when all the lamps you like at tj maxx are out of your price range, haha. i need to find a good thrift store!
ReplyDeleteYes! That's where I always saw lamps that I deemed "affordable." Not anymore. What is happening?!
DeleteNice!! I really like that they're not the same. I have to admit that I've never heard of using Frosted Glass before spraying. Question - why did you use the plastic spray instead of the metal spray? I feel like I'm missing out on something and I can't exactly claim to be a diy diva if I don't know all the secrets. Spill, lady!
ReplyDeleteKate at Centsational Girl mentioned using it on glass before spray painting, so I thought I'd try it on metal. So far, so good! And the spray paint...it says it can also be used on metal but apparently is mostly for plastic? Not sure what the difference is. I picked it because it was in my stash and was the right color. :P
DeleteI just left a comment that may or may not have gone through, and now I don't want to retype it in case it DID go through but it's just delayed. So let's just say I love your lamp(s).
DeleteOh, Erin. I miss you when I'm away.
ReplyDeleteI miss puns such as this: And I quote...
"I’ve had issues with scratches when spray painting metal and wanted to cover all of my bases." Hahaha.
I let out a little laugh, more like a bull's huff through my nose, but a very nice huff, when I read that.
That means I liked it.
And then there's the use of the word: janky. Twice. I don't ever recall using such a fantastically odd word, but I like it. Adding it to my mental verbiage commencing...now. Thank you. Look for it in future posts. I'll credit you. ;)
As for the nastiness of society, er, I mean Goodwill...what are some people thinking? Oh. That's right. They're not. Fumes and flies? Oh my. Okay, that wasn't exactly the description, but you know what I mean...'cuz I know what you mean. Know what I mean?
And so, another random, Erin-like comment, except it's me, 'cuz we have that whole weird twin thing going on, comes to an end.
Did I just use "'cuz" twice in one comment? I don't even like that abbrev.
Hey, like that? I just abbreviated abbreviation. #ironic
Of course, now, what was the point in saving time since I have just spent 15 more seconds typing this?
I'm so weird.
Which is why you like me.
:)
Love the lamps!
ReplyDeleteMy cats love to kill all sorts of things, mice, moles, baby rabbits (which breaks my heart) and they really like to bring them to me and show me and then play with it. But the worse was when they left a dead mouse in my boot and I went to put said boot on and did what the heck is in my boot. Reached in and grabbed the dead mouse. Lets just say I now dump every boot or shoe out before it goes on the foot.
WOW!!! Holy amazing!!! Those are the best lamps ever! And, I totally agree with you that lamp prices are way toooo high!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like those shades - I need to check out that aisle next time I'm at Target. But speaking of lamp prices, I went a couple of weeks ago hoping to find some brassy lamps to spray paint at Goodwill, and they were $20 each! At Goodwill!! Needless to say I'm waiting for the half-off sale at the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteThose shades are QT!!! perfect too!
ReplyDeleteThe grossest thing I ever saw at a thrift store was when my sister picked up a tupperware container and shook it....there were crackers in it LOL eewww.
Those lamps are so cute! Amazing what you can do with some paint. I just bought new lamps recently for my bedroom, thankfully got them at 1/2 price when Target was clearing out last season stock.
ReplyDeleteI just saw these and I love them. I just did something similar too - brass lamps went glossy red. Your shades are lovely!
ReplyDelete