DIY 6 of 26: Dated to Dashing - Chevron Lamp

On my recent staycation I did some Craigslist shopping and Devin and I headed out one evening to pick up an old mirror that I had plans of refinishing. The woman was also selling a very dated, traditional lamp that she agreed to include for $10 more! I did not have a full vision of it yet, but I figured I could transform it into something for my home so I took it! Here is what I was able to pull off:

When I was shopping around, both online and at second-hand stores, I found a lot of hideous lamps that, given a little makeover, could be super cute! The traditional lamp shade on this lamp is also readily accessible as the style is dated, but give it a modern chevron pattern and let us bring them "in" again. Here is how you can make your own...

Supplies:

• An ugly lamp (The more ornate and decorative the better, when painted white it loses the traditional, or gaudy feel but the ornateness plays well with the light and shadows for visual interest.)
• Ribbon - enough to go around shade (top/bottom) and each vertical line as well
• Two colors of spray paint
• Ruler
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Painter's tape
• Large sheets of paper
• Pen

#1:  Cover lamp cord, top socket, and any other portion you do not want painted. Depending on your lamp surface it may be best to rough it up with a light grit sandpaper and/or prime it with a spray primer. Then paint the entire lamp white with a high gloss spray paint.

#2: Remove all of the piping from the shade. It usually pulls right off with a little muscle but you might need to use a blade or something sharp if it is stuck.

#3: Trace a circle using the shade as a stencil on your paper and cut just inside the circle. Use the painters tape to adhere the paper and cover the inside of the shade from being painted. Then paint the entire shade white. I ran out high gloss paint and went with flat white paint for the shade. I was happy with how it turned out. I just heard about fabric spray paint this past week... I have not used it yet but I think it may have turned out even better, if you want to give it a try.

#4: This is the most difficult part of this process. Using the painter's tape, tape off your chevron pattern. Remember this is the portion that will remain your base color (in this case - white). There are different ways of doing this but here is how I did mine. The steps coordinate with the pictures above to help clarify my rambling! 1.) Measure 4.5 inches down from the points of the shade and mark with a small piece of tape. 2.) Place a piece of tape with the bottom point on the tape marker and then the other end on the next point on the shade. Do that all the way around the shade in one direction. 3.) Mark the top, on the tape, about .75 inch from the center on each piece of tape. This will make sure that your chevron point will end up centered on the points of the shade. 4.) Cut the end of the roll of tape square (90degree angle) and line it up with the bottom of the piece you have already laid down, then line up the bottom edge of the tape with the mark you make on the top and cut. Do this all the way around. 5.) For my pattern, I found it best to eye in the next chevron. Remember, it is just tape so if you mess it up, take if off and try again. Do that all the way around. 6.) Repeat steps 1-5 on the bottom to create the same pattern on alternating points.

#5.) Hang the shade from something and paint the entire thing with the second color of spray paint. Use multiple light coats for the best finished product. Remove the tape about 15 minutes after the last coat and then leave it to dry overnight.

#6.) Glue strips of ribbon on each vertical point of the shade with a hot glue gun.

#7.) Determine the back of the shade and starting there glue ribbon onto the top and bottom of the shade and allow to dry.

 

 There you have it! Do not be intimidated by the taping of the chevron. It was a little tricky but it was nice to be able to do it in tape first because you could redo it as many times as you needed and you have not messed anything up!!! I hope you enjoy your own hideous lamp transformations. Another benefit to this is that if you decide you are tired of your lamp shade you can always change it up as the lamp base is your blank foundation. Happy Wednesday all!