Monday, October 24, 2011

Easy Thrift Store Drum Shade Revision



This is sort of like one of those movies that shows the end at the beginning. I know there's a name for that kind of literary device, but it's been too many years since I learned it, and I've completely forgotten what it is.


That part doesn't matter so much - this story is about a poor young lamp. I can't tell you where she hails from. What I can tell you is when I met her, we were in a thrift store.




She was sweet, but a little overdressed for where I was going. She was a little dirty, but not disgustingly so. It was obvious a simple once over with a damp washcloth would work wonders on her. Her outfit was tired, dirty and a little too flashy in my opinion.




Still, with her shape, and that bone structure, I knew she could be a beauty. And she was sweet. So was her price tag. 




I invited her to come home with me and have a nice bath. After dinner, we got down to business. With some probing on my part, she revealed true inner beauty. I knew she could be gently coaxed into a better life.




Still, there were some rough edges that needed to be addressed. And her love for cheap satin frocks that were less than flattering.... I understood what Henry Higgins must have felt like with Liza Doolittle. 




First, a new outfit. A classic, traditional creamy burlap was just the ticket; it would be traditional, yet fresh and updated. With her shape, it would look fabulous!




A little measuring, cutting, some Tacky Glue along the edges, and we were well on our way. With the addition of a package of wide bias tape from Hobby Lobby, she was looking polished, and the rough edges were no longer visible. 




I think she'll fit in quite well, so I plan on introducing her to the rest of the family. 


Moral of the story: Don't judge a lamp shade by it's cover. If you find a nice drum shade with dirty  or ugly fabric, this is a very easy fix! 


What did I learn? Next time, use the thinner size bias tape. The wide size was more than was needed to cover raw edges. It didn't lie completely flat in a couple of places on the inside. I could redo it but I probably won't. 


Word for the Day:



1 Timothy 2:8-10


 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

May all who meet you see your potential and your true inner beauty!

-Revi


Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday
Friday
Saturday

26 comments:

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Fantastic job on the shade. Great verse as well. Your inner beauty comes through your posts. It's evident.

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

The new look is perfect for your lamp! I love the texture of the new shade. I love the difference it makes just updating a shade like this!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I really like the new and improved lamp shade! :D

Suzanne said...

Love the new look. So simple, yet elegant...
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

farmhouse-story said...

such an awesome tranformation, revi! love the burlap:)

Mary @ Sea Quilts said...

Loved the story! (And the lamp.). Thanks for stopping by my blog. There is always good in repurposing, let's face it.

Mary

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Great job and I enjoyed your story of transforming your Eliza Doolittle.

Sarah, Three Boys said...

Oh, you did such a great job!! Love the texture!!

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Revi! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments! What a great transformation!! Aren't these thrift stores wonderful?! Yes, I'm hooked!

Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com said...

Very pretty!

A Mother and A Daughter said...

Revi, I love the lampshade redo! I enjoyed reading your post. I enjoyed the word for the day! Let's be friends! :) ~ Barbara

Gina said...

Heehee, cute story. You completely transformed her. She looks fabulous right now! I guess she was a diamond in the rough.

Anonymous said...

my Dad used to say (yes my Dad...not my Mom :) "every old board deserves a makeover every now and then". In other words he was telling us it was time for us kids to paint the picket fence that lined out driveway. :) Your makeover is wonderful and I love your way with words. ~

Rooster @ theRoosterandthehen.com said...

Nice transformation! I think we'll be planning a version of this for our master bedroom reveal in a week or two. Thanks for the inspiration!

Christina said...

She is a true beauty now, that's for sure!

Love this makeover!

Take care,
Christina
designingbynumbers.blogspot.com

Melanie @ bear rabbit bear said...

Looks great. Found you via Shabby Nest. Would love for you to link up to my weekly Things I've Done Thursday party that runs until noon EST on Saturday. We also have a custom blog button giveaway going on right now!!

Melanie
http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com/2011/10/things-ive-done-thursday-and-blog.html

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Great job! Love the new shade

Jenny
http://simcoestreet.blogspot.com

Ivy and Elephants said...

Love what you did with the lamp! She looks so much more modern than before. (I must say she was a tad bit over dressed!) Now she's ready for her close up!
Hugs,
Patti

Mandy said...

Hi Revi, thank you for stopping by Project Queen today. I love your shade/lamp re-do. Looks so nice in that burlap!

Town and Country Gals said...

Revi,
Don't you love taking something everyone else has passed on and making it beautiful! Your lamp shade turned out lovely, what doesn't a little burlap make better!
Rebecca

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Wonderful new look :)
and do not miss.....

S
A
T
U
R
D
A
Y

S
H
O
W

O
F
F

It´s fun to join it :)
WELCOME :)
Håkan ( The Roseman)

Unknown said...

So much better. I love the new look!

Honey at 2805 said...

Very nice! I'm sure she is happy in her chic new dress! Thanks for linking your creative project to Potpourri Friday!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Such a cute post and I love the transformation!
Hugs,
Sherry

Michele @ {Primp} said...

wow, what a transformation! I love the burlap shade now--great job, and thanks for sharing this week at Primp.

Kim said...

Congratulations on being featured on Coastal Charm!!!!

Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com