Easy Lamp Upcycle

Easy Lamp Upcycle

Posted by DecoArt on Mar 24th 2021

As a life-long crafter and DIYer, I am always looking for a project to complete around the house. The lamp on my bedside table is older and has an outdated finish. An easy upcycle using a bit of paint and a floral stencil is the perfect way to get a fresh new look in a hurry. Now, this lamp takes center stage with a shimmering update courtesy of DecoArt® Americana Décor Metallics™ in the lovely blue-gray shade, pewter.

Bottles of DecoArt Americana Decor Metallic acrylic paint in pewter.

An advanced metallic acrylic paint, DecoArt® Americana Décor Metallics™ provides a true reflective finish perfect for subtle accents on existing pieces or even full-coverage application. No priming or sanding required! There are 14 traditional and trendy colors making it easy for you to pick the shade you love best.

Here is the sad before photo of the bedside table lamp. Very dated (hello, the 1990s are calling) and that pyramid-style shade... yikes! Let's see what we can do to give this lamp a fresh makeover.

A picture of an old-fashioned looking lamp with a dingy lampshade sitting on a bedside table.

Items Needed:

Instructions:

First remove the shade, light bulb, and the harp from the lamp base.

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Clean the entire lamp base with vinegar and a paper towel. Use an old paintbrush to clean the small nooks and crannies. Allow it to dry completely.

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Apply painter’s tape to any part of the lamp that you do not want paint on. I taped off the glass center and cord using small pieces applied close together to cover the curves.

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Shake paints well before each use. Starting at the bottom of the lamp base, apply the Americana Décor Metallics™ in Pewter (Or any shade of your choice!) using a soft, flat brush with a light stroke. Make sure to paint in one direction for maximum shine and to avoid lines in your paint.

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Continue to paint the lamp base. The Americana Décor Metallics™ cover better when several lighter coats are applied instead of one heavy coat. Visible brushstrokes can be removed between coats with a fine-grit sandpaper.

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In a well-ventilated area (or outside) apply a super thin coat of spray adhesive to the back of the Jacobean Floral Stencil.

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Lay the new barrel-style shade on its side. Attach the Jacobean Floral Stencil to the front center of the lampshade. Place a small amount of the Americana Décor Metallics™ on a paper plate or palette.

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Tap the sponge pouncer gently into the paint and then dab off several times on the paper plate. Gently pounce, or dab, the Americana Décor Metallics™ onto the lampshade through the stencil.

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Carefully lift the stencil from the lampshade once complete. Continue to stencil around the entire circumference of the shade, matching the beginning of the next stencil pattern to the end of the previous pattern. Reapply light coats of spray adhesive if necessary.

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Since the shade is a woven fabric, the paint will not be completely solid once the stenciling is finished. I prefer this random light and dark effect because it adds to the handmade qualities of the finished project.

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I love the true metallic shine that Americana Décor Metallics™ adds to this old, dated lamp base! This project was quick and easy to complete in just about an hour. Look around your house and plan your next DIY project today!

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