SO my friend Karen came in today and gave me the great advice on HOW to make such a lovely lamp. First, I bought the old at a thrift shop. Depending on where you live, you can probably find something similar for $5-$20. This one came with the shade, but that is sometimes extra.
First, clean the lamp. After it is cleaned, remove the shade and tape up anything you don't want painted. Once you are taped, spray away! I used Krylon's designer paints in burnished iron. It is a little pricey ($8 a can) but worth it for the end result. While the paint is drying, you can move onto the shade.
Start by cutting a pattern template by laying out newspaper or white butcher paper on the floor. Lay the shade on it's side and roll it, tracing the edges on the paper with a pencil. Viola! You now have a pattern. Next, choose your fabric and make sure to get enough yardage to account for the curve in the shade. You WILL use more than it seems....unless you are using a symmetrical drum shade. Pin your pattern/fabric and cut out.
Once your fabric is ready, hot glue the beginning of the seam to hold it steady. Then, using spray adhesive to apply the rest of the fabric to the shade. Spray adhesive is a great choice because it isn't set right away...you can move things around.
Once the fabric is on the shade, finish off with a glue gun. If you are using a patterned fabric, take care to try and line your pattern up evenly.
Last but not least, embellish. Because there will be unfinished edged, you will want to finish them up. The easiest way to do this is with cording or trim. There are beaded varieties, plain, braided, pompom...you name it! Match your trim to your fabric and lamp style, glue and you are set.
You now have a LOVELY custom made, one of a kind lamp made by YOU!
Before...lovely darling...
after...sophisticated chic 
SO my friend Karen came in today and gave me the great advice on HOW to make such a lovely lamp. First, I bought the old at a thrift shop. Depending on where you live, you can probably find something similar for $5-$20. This one came with the shade, but that is sometimes extra.
ReplyDeleteFirst, clean the lamp. After it is cleaned, remove the shade and tape up anything you don't want painted. Once you are taped, spray away! I used Krylon's designer paints in burnished iron. It is a little pricey ($8 a can) but worth it for the end result. While the paint is drying, you can move onto the shade.
Start by cutting a pattern template by laying out newspaper or white butcher paper on the floor. Lay the shade on it's side and roll it, tracing the edges on the paper with a pencil. Viola! You now have a pattern. Next, choose your fabric and make sure to get enough yardage to account for the curve in the shade. You WILL use more than it seems....unless you are using a symmetrical drum shade. Pin your pattern/fabric and cut out.
Once your fabric is ready, hot glue the beginning of the seam to hold it steady. Then, using spray adhesive to apply the rest of the fabric to the shade. Spray adhesive is a great choice because it isn't set right away...you can move things around.
Once the fabric is on the shade, finish off with a glue gun. If you are using a patterned fabric, take care to try and line your pattern up evenly.
Last but not least, embellish. Because there will be unfinished edged, you will want to finish them up. The easiest way to do this is with cording or trim. There are beaded varieties, plain, braided, pompom...you name it! Match your trim to your fabric and lamp style, glue and you are set.
You now have a LOVELY custom made, one of a kind lamp made by YOU!