Have you ever been on the hunt for a specific thing for months and months yet you can’t find just the right thing?
Me too.
I’ve been searching for a lamp for my living room for almost two years. Yes, years.
With our 20-foot ceilings, so many lamps just look tiny in this room. So I needed something tall, sturdy (the cats were tipping over my old one until it was bent and cockeyed.) and, of course, stylish.
Of course, I could easily find ones I loved with ginormous price tags.
Pass.
I could find great lamps at places like Target and Home Goods but there always seemed to be the issue of size and/or sturdiness.
Grrr.
Finally, I bit the bullet and bought a lamp from my beloved Pottery Barn during an online sale using a special discount coupon and free shipping offer.
I was so excited!
Unfortunately, when the lamp arrived I discovered that the electrical cord was in a visible location and, therefore, very conspicuous from several angles.
Lamp returned.
Then, my sweet blogging friend, Jeannette from Country Design Style, asked me if I’d like to participate in her annual Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals blog tour.
For the past three years, she has coordinated an effort to help spread the word about thrift stores that directly benefit animal shelters. Her hope is that when bloggers share thrifted projects, it might inspire others to shop at stores that help animals in need.
Even though I don’t have such a shop within easy driving distance, I still said yes to doing a project and helping spread the word.
As a result, I found a lamp for my living room!
When I saw all the lamps at the store, I was immediately take by this one and its size – it was big! And, when I got closer to touch it, it was very sturdy. Perfect!
The lamp was in good shape except the brass-ish metal was kind of rusty and in poor shape. I decided that I could easily spray paint those areas with oil rubbed bronze paint. Then, I could either keep the crackle finish — which I liked — or I could use chalk paint to make the lamp resemble this lamp that’s no longer available from Pottery Barn:
The lamp was marked $12.99. Umm…that is more than $100 less than the lamp base I returned!
Bargain!
Lamp makeover time!
When I got home, I cleaned off the lamp, then taped up the crackle finish area and used oil rubbed bronze spray paint on the metal areas.
After it dried, I added a burlap shade from Pottery Barn (purchased on sale) and replaced the old finial with an oil rubbed bronze finial I had from my old, bent lamp.
Doesn’t it look great?!
It’s amazing what a small amount of spray paint and a new shade will do!
And, I’m glad that I kept it simple with the old crackle finish. If I ever change my mind, it will be easy enough to try painting over the creamy white.
I hope my little project inspires you to find a local store that helps animals. It’s such a worthy cause and a great way to save money all at the same time!
To learn more about the cause and my adopted animal family, you can read my previous posts here
and here:
To see more fantastic thrift store project ideas you can click on the links!
Love the lamp! Burlap and white always a hit with me! Keep up great work!
Julie I love this lamp and the cracked finish the burlap lamp shade goes perfectly with it!
There is a special place in heaven for people that help animals. Thank you for doing this.
What a transformation! The white looks beautiful, especially with the crackle finish! So cool!
Julie, What a great find! I like the crackle finish! Thank you so much for joining the tour again this year. I totally love all your projects and home!
What a great find! And it looks even better than the PB lamp. I love the burlap shade. It adds so much texture. Your paint job looks fabulous.
Thanks for sharing, Julie! I love visiting your blog.
TLOOKS FAB! Great job! I need to do a lamp makeover.
Great find! And way, way less expensive than the PB version!
This lamp looks fabulous- it’s amazing what a little paint and a good eye will do! Such a fun benefit and your furry friends are adorable!
How wonderful that as a result of being a part of this blog hop, you not only helped saved more than $100, but you found something you had been looking for for 2 years! It looks just perfect in your space and I personally love the crackle finish.
wow, love the lamp makeover.
Looks great.
Your lamp looks incredible, Julie!! I know that you are so happy to finally have a lamp after looking for one for two years.
Wow! The lamp looks lovely now. I love the crackle finish and the shade looks great with it!
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I love how your lamp makeover turned out….and for a worthy cause! Thanks for sharing….I’m keeping my eyes open at Goodwill each week for a lamp!
Blessings,
Lanita