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
Andrea
July 15, 2011 at 12:15 pmlove 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.
Andrea
July 15, 2011 at 1:52 pmFantastic 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 =)
Comeca Jones
July 15, 2011 at 2:31 pmLove the lamps!The lil poofy balls are so cute.
tracie
July 15, 2011 at 3:08 pmgreat 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!
Pam
July 15, 2011 at 4:20 pmBeautifully 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
Anna @ Take the Side Street
July 15, 2011 at 9:54 pmI 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!
Anonymous
July 16, 2011 at 6:40 amHi, 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
Lisa
July 16, 2011 at 12:48 pmYou 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!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
July 20, 2011 at 2:55 amGreat new looks for those lamps. thanks for sharing at WUW.
Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)
July 20, 2011 at 3:24 amBeautiful post! Love the new look for those lamps!
Stunning! Thanks for sharing:)
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Princess Danell
July 20, 2011 at 5:46 amI 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.
Becca
July 20, 2011 at 11:45 amLove 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
The Scott's Crib
July 22, 2011 at 1:56 pmOh 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?
Barillafab4.blogspot.com
July 23, 2011 at 1:18 amOh 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 🙂
Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.com
July 23, 2011 at 7:02 amWhat a face lift! I love it and am your newest follower!
gatheredinthekitchen.com
July 26, 2011 at 2:07 amVery pretty! I am so on the hunt for one of these now!!!