I decided to rescue an unattractive old lamp...

It's raining here, again. Seems like we have more rain than sun this summer. And, when it's raining outside I look for things to do inside. It was on a rainy day a few weeks ago when I decided that a little burgundy (or maybe it was merlot) coloured lamp was in need of a face lift. That little lamp had been moved around a lot over the years, from our family room to my office and finally to our son Sean's bedroom. With Sean all grown up, married, and soon to be a dad, it seemed an acceptable length of time had passed for us to convert his room into a guest room. (I guess I had a little trouble letting go!) That is where the newly chalk painted highboy lives that was the topic of my last post. And that sad little lamp no longer worked with the new décor. So, out came my Annie Sloan paint and brushes as I plotted its make-over.

I decided at the last minute to snap a pic of the lamp to send to Sean--maybe that was my way of seeking his approval for re-purposing his old room. I had already started to work on the base, but here is the shade--the entire lamp was this colour.

I know, so out of date!



Starting with the base first, it took only a few minutes to banish that dingy old colour forever and replace it with a custom mix of Annie Sloan Duck Egg and Napoleon (50/50). I then did an all over wash with Old White, painting it on with my wonderful Annie Sloan paint brush that allows me to jab into the nooks and crannies to get the paint everywhere. Then, before it could dry, I quickly rubbed off more in some places and less in others. This is the result.

I am SO happy with it! The detail that was previously lost in all that dark maroon or whatever now really stands out. When I waxed it a hint of the dark base started to peek through, and I love the slightly distressed look. At this point I was not sure whether or not to add a little dark wax, knowing that it would darken the overall colour. So I have left it as is but may go back to it later with a little dark wax here and there.

Next I painted the shade Old White, applying it with a roller. It was beautifully covered in one very quick coat and dried within minutes. As it seemed just a tad plain, I decided to embellish the shade with some stenciling using water colours that were once given to me as a gift and which I had never opened. My excuse had been that I didn't have time to learn how to paint with watercolour. However, now certainly seemed like a good time to open that box.

Here is the finished lamp in its home on the painted highboy.

The hedgies are a new acquisition. I stumbled upon them in the mall the other day and couldn't resist. They remind me of the little hedgehog figurines my mother used to collect when i was a child. Wonder what ever happened to those?

Blessings,
The Duchess of NewLife