Lamps – They Light Up My Life

One place where you can really get a big bang for your buck is by picking up lamps with potential at yard sales or Goodwill.  I have found some real goodies this way, and have added another lovely lady to my home.  If you can get past much of the raw ugliness and look at the shape, you’re in business.

A good example is my fun pink office lamp that I scored at Goodwill and blogged about here.

Then there was this handsome devil that ended up in my son’s room.  He started out brassy, but you’d never know by how he looks now.  You can read about his transformation here.

I picked up this new lovely at Goodwill also, and I did pay more than I would have liked – about $15.  This Goodwill store seems to think they’re an antique dealer or something, because 1) their stuff is overpriced in general and 2) they have A LOT of inventory as a result.

I didn’t buy it the first time I went in, but I found myself thinking, “I should have bought that lamp”, so I picked it up the next time I was in the area.  It was still there since it was totally overpriced and no one else was dorky enough to obsess about it.

Here is how she began:

Another brassy babe, but I loved the trophy shape and the loop detail on the sides.  And with a little spray paint and a new shade, this is what you get:

Lamps can be crazy expensive, so why not look past the ugly and give a lamp a chance?  Are you a lamp lover too?

Linking up to:
Green Door Designs – Saturday Spotlight
Just A Girl – Show and Share Day
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Tuesday’s Treasures
Savvy Southern Style – Wow Us Wednesday
The Shabby Chic Cottage – Transformation Thursday
Remodelaholic – Remodelaholic’s Anonymous

16 Comments

  • Reply
    Andrea
    July 15, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    love the new lamps. I buy way too many lamps (at thrift stores). I have started giving them to my sister now, because I'm out of room.

  • Reply
    Andrea
    July 15, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Fantastic transformations! I have a collection of old lamps waiting for either spray paint, a new shade, and some even to be re-wired. I love lamps. Maybe a little too much, as my collection is a bit out of control =)

  • Reply
    Comeca Jones
    July 15, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Love the lamps!The lil poofy balls are so cute.

  • Reply
    tracie
    July 15, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    great job! sooooo know how you feel! our goodwill seems to think the same thing.. and prices reflect that of an antique mall, instead of a goodwill! good grief it's frustrating!! think they're all on to us diy'ers now!

  • Reply
    Pam
    July 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Beautifully done! I have things that speak to me too. I am so relieved when I go back and they are still there. 🙂

    Have a great weekend.
    Pam

  • Reply
    Anna @ Take the Side Street
    July 15, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    I like all of these, but I LOVE the white one –what a great shape! Thanks for the comment on my headboard too 🙂 Have a great weekend!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    July 16, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Hi, I've just recently found your blog & I'm totally loving all your projects! That pink lamp is awesome! I've never spray painted any lamps before. Do you spray primer on them before you spray them with color? If so, what type of primer? What color is that on your son's lamp? Thanks for the great ideas!
    ~Sara

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 16, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    You have found some great lamps Jenny! We are in a desperate need of lamps around here…..its on my list of to-dos this summer. I'll have to start checking out my local thrift shops on a more regular basis!

    Hope you have a great weekend!

  • Reply
    Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
    July 20, 2011 at 2:55 am

    Great new looks for those lamps. thanks for sharing at WUW.

  • Reply
    Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)
    July 20, 2011 at 3:24 am

    Beautiful post! Love the new look for those lamps!
    Stunning! Thanks for sharing:)
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

  • Reply
    Princess Danell
    July 20, 2011 at 5:46 am

    I agree. Goodwill is overpriced. I wait until the sales on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, beat off the crazies, and try to find something cool. Your lamps are super cool.

  • Reply
    Becca
    July 20, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Love what you've done to these lamps! You totally transformed them into lamps that would've had a big ol' sticker price, along with the regret of just spending that much on one! Thanks for sharing! Becca (new follower, although, I honestly thought I was already following your fantastic projects).

    http://www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    The Scott's Crib
    July 22, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    Oh the lamps are so pretty. I have one in my closet waiting for a transformation. Don't know where its going to go but what room doesn't need extra light?

  • Reply
    Barillafab4.blogspot.com
    July 23, 2011 at 1:18 am

    Oh man..love that office lamp..I have a lamp in my youngest daughters room that I did almost that same thing too…the the ball trim 🙂 Thx for stopping by my blog & leading me to yours..you do some amazing things 🙂

  • Reply
    Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.com
    July 23, 2011 at 7:02 am

    What a face lift! I love it and am your newest follower!

  • Reply
    gatheredinthekitchen.com
    July 26, 2011 at 2:07 am

    Very pretty! I am so on the hunt for one of these now!!!

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