Monday, September 17, 2012

Another Lovely Lamp

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I live with a man who knows what he likes and likes what he knows. And he happens to hate reaching up into a lamp to turn it on. So it presents a special challenge to me to find things that make him happy that also look good to me.

We have used a simple pull-string lamp from Target for years with great success. But I accidentally went to Goodwill a few weeks ago on their half-price day. And I accidentally found an awesome, manly lamp to replace his small nightstand lamp for better function and appearance. When I accidentally did some Micah Math, I found that the price was only $3 for the sale.

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We would both be happy, right?

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With a turn switch on the bottom, he wouldn’t have to do anything unpleasant, according to him. But when I told him the good news about my wonderful purchase just for him and his nightstand, he rolled his eyes.

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So I decided that rather than wasting my new $3 score on his nightstand without much glory, I would use it in another place in our bedroom that would be more…appreciated.

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This lamp even came with the arch and a very beautiful lamp shade top piece. Did I mention that this entire thing only cost $3?

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I love that the topper looks like a chess piece. Not that I would know. Hubby tried to teach me chess once…

And a moose once bit my sister.

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Of course, I went with my good ol’ standby…Rustoleum Ultra Cover in Satin Lagoon. I have multiple cans of this on hand for just such emergencies.

Some people might not consider a brass lamp an emergency. I am slowly but surely trying to change their minds.

This is what it looks like after its first very light coat of paint. I learned the hard way, back when I was an amateur spray painter, to do several light coats instead of trying to cover up the whole thing in one shot.

Drips and more drips. I will just leave it at that. But I have since mended my ways.

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She is done! Now we just have to let it air dry in the 110-degree heat. It was done in no time at all.

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Of course, the outdoor lighting in the middle of the day was quite harsh. But I already love the color of the lamp. It’s certainly an improvement over old brass, eh?

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And the arch and topper also got a makeover. I do this for all the vertically-challenged people who come to my house and can see under the lamp shade.

Nothing is done half-way in my house when spray paint is involved!

So when Hubby didn’t care what happened to this beauty, I decided to add it to the corner of our dresser on the other side of the room instead. And I really love it. That corner needed something, and the height and light from a lamp was just what the doctor ordered.

I am not a doctor. But I do know me a few things about a few lamps.

I really love it! And this is a sneak-peek into our “new” bathroom, too, which I will share later this week.

The bright pop of blue on the dark dresser really makes me happy. That corner needed something just like this! I went with my usual drum shade from Walmart, which was on clearance for $11. Bonus! A new gorgeous lamp for $14?!

The little green owl hanging out next to the lamp only makes things better. I practically have an animal in every room of the house now. It could be seen as a problem by some…

We have lots of the big stuff, like furniture, finished in the house. Now I am having a blast adding the little touches that can make just as big of a difference. Spray paint is one of my best friends.

5 comments:

  1. I love it!

    And I'm sure the spray paint loves you back, too.

    You silly girl, you!

    xoxo

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  2. I love it! I'm trying to get brave enough to spray paint the lamp in my living room. Give me strength! The color is desperately needed there, but I'm chicken.

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  3. Also, what type of tape do you use?

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    Replies
    1. Just go look at the paint colors and find one that gets you really excited to spray all over your lamp! Home Depot carries the Rustoleum Ultra that I love so much, and Walmart has lots of colors by Kryon. Once you fall in love with a color, you won't even hesitate to start spraying!

      And, though the pictures lie, I only use Scotch Blue tape. It is a little more expensive, but worth it because of how much better it comes off. In fact, the cheap green stuff seen in these photos is WHY I will only use Scotch Blue!

      Frog Tape is good, too.

      Have fun!!! Wish I could do it for you, but it will feel wonderful to finally get it done on your own, too!

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  4. Lovely! And I really like the owl, too. and the flowers and the weddng picture. Nice place.

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