Ordinarily when I go into a thrift store, I'm not looking for perfect decor pieces.
I'm looking for possibilities.
Oh sure, on rare occasions I've purchased items strictly for display, but honestly, more often than not, I buy items to make them over.
I enjoy the crafty challenge of turning second hand trash into home decor treasure.
I often joke about how it's my one true superpower.
However.
When I stumbled across this vintage lamp last year I was stumped.
It had great bones. Dainty, elegant and beautifully designed.
But. It was in terrible condition.
It was dirty, the frosted glass was stained, the gold base was tarnished and worst of all the electrical elements did not look reliable or safe.
Not to mention unsightly.
I do love a challenge, though, so I put on my thinking cape, I mean cap, and instead of covering up those precious hand painted flowers and erasing all of its vintage charm with a total transformation, I opted for a different kind of do over instead.
How To Revive An Antique Lamp And Make It Cordless
First, I started with a not so quick and easy scrub session.
It took a while to get this baby to shine again, but with a little elbow grease - and a lot of Cerama Bryte - the grime started to come off.
Without damaging the delicate flowers or frosted glass.
I was shocked at how many of the scratches turned out to be scuffs and how they just disappeared when hit with a non scratch cleanser and pad.
Plus, once the dirt was removed, the original pink hue of the frosted glass began to reemerge. An unexpected win for sure.
Next, I wanted to bring that faded base back to life.
Then I rinsed the ick away with water and set it down to dry.
I was mostly happy with the results, but I knew that gold would really pop with some Rub 'n Buff in Gold Leaf.
I wasn't wrong.
It was super easy to use, too. I just dipped my gloved finger in the paint and literally rubbed it onto the metal.
The results were so encouraging that I decided to give the chain a little Rub 'n Buff treatment.
And the socket piece, as well.
After all, the devil of design is in the details.
When the lamp, and all its parts, were completely clean, dry, rubbed and buffed, I got to work on making it functional. You see, whenever I buy a second hand lamp, I always replace the electrical parts inside.
My confidence in old wires isn't strong and since my husband's DIY skills are...I always have him swap them out.
Although this time I thought it might be fun to try out one of those new battery operated, rechargeable light bulbs.
You know the ones, they come with a remote, a timer, a dimmer switch and options to pick your light color - bright white, daylight or warm white.
And you don't need an outlet or an electrician to make it work. How fabulous.
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| The light bulbs I used. |
And turned it on.
You can scroll back up and peek at the before again if you'd like a reminder.
It really was a showstopper.
On or off.
And I only needed a little bit of my upcycling superpowers to make it happen.
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What's your crafty superpower?
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Hey, I'm not the only one getting crafty today!
It's time for our Do It Over Designers hop hosted by my friend Ann, from The Apple Street Cottage.
Make sure you check out the links below...there's lot of good stuff on the other end!
Happy Hopping, Friends!
Wow Kim - you sure did make that baby shine again! Who knew such awesomeness was underneath all that grime? You and your 'thinking cape' - because let's face it - this is superhero status! I'm so glad to see you using a battery operated bulb. I so want to use one too for my project, but the lure of a vintage Edison bulb was too strong. I'm keeping fingers crossed that someone figures that one out!
ReplyDeleteHaha...thanks Sara! I'm glad you got my superhero cape joke...but I agree, sometimes it takes a little something extra to get through a creative upcycle.
DeleteI have never heard of those light bulbs and will go back to your link!! Love this idea! great project!
ReplyDeletePatti, I have to say, I LOVE these bulbs!! This is my first experiment with them. I'd heard that some aren't always that bright or they don't fit properly, and maybe I just got lucky, but so far I am very pleased. I want to put them in every lamp I own! Next up, a lamp in the bathroom!! Haha!!
DeleteYour lamp is gorgeous, Kim. A good scrub and Rub 'n Buff sure brought it back to life! The battery-powered option is becoming my favorite...having the freedom to put a lamp anywhere is the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann! I honestly can’t believe how well this turned out. I love all the sparkle and the fact that I don’t have to rely on those old tattered wires to light it up!! Thanks for hosting another super fun hop!!
DeleteOh Kim, I always love your projects. I kept thinking to myself as I was reading, please do not get rid of that lovely base, I adore this lamp. I have not thought about using a battery operated light before, that is a wonderful idea. The lamp is perfect on your dresser, and I love how all of the details came to light (ha-ha) when you gave the lamp a good cleaning. Rub-n-buff does wonderful things to detail, doesn't it? This is one perfect vintage lamp, congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all your sweet words, Cara! I have to say this one was a challenge, but once I figured out that it could be salvaged with a bit of elbow grease and some Rub 'n Buff, making it a cordless lamp was a no brainer...and super simple to do!!
DeleteYour lamp now looks brand new, Kim! What an awesome transformation! I love that you were able to save the design - it surely is a lovely dainty look!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gail! I will admit that when I brought it home it was so icky, I washed my hands every time I touched it. I also let it sit for months, since I just wasn’t sure what to do with it. I think this was the perfect solution. Happy Hopping!!
DeleteWowsie!!! This is awesome. How beautiful and easy peasy to re love this lamp. The pattern on the lamp matches your wedding picture frame too. It was meant to be. Have a great weekend. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris!! I fell in love with this lamp in the shop, but it was so disgusting, I barely wanted to touch it long enough to put it in my cart. I'm honestly shocked at how well it turned it out and how easy it was to re love it! Have a nice afternoon!!
DeleteThis lamp is beautiful!!! It's perfect for your feminine style. I love your website and read it faithfully. Please don't ever stop.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! You just completely made my day!! Thank you for your super kind words. You have genuinely touched me!! ๐ฅฐ
DeleteAll I can say is WOW! It is so beautiful. I'm so glad you were able to revive it! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Patricia! I'm so happy, too...I really didn't want to destroy the original style of the lamp or cover those sweet flowers. I forget that sometimes a good scrubbing does the trick!
DeleteBeautiful rescue, Kim. Lamps are i e if the best items to recycle. And you did y even have to paint it. The chargeable light bulb was a great option.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Carol! I agree, lamps are great items to makeover. I'm so happy I was able to revive this one successfully!
DeleteOh WOW, Kim! She turned out amazing. I love how sometimes a little bit of scrubbing can change something so much. She was definitely a diamond in a rough!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina!! I'm so glad I was able to make her shine again.
DeleteThat is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne! I have to say, I'm surprised myself with this transformation.
DeleteWow! That is an incredible transformation! I'm shocked by how the pink came out. It's just charming now. Your superhero powers are shining!
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked, too, Mari! I had no idea that frosted glass was pink, it was so dirty it looked gray. The power of soap! ๐งผ Haha!!
DeleteVery pretty makeover Kim. The light bulbs are a game changer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! The light bulbs are amazing. I'd never tried them before and now I want them all over. Heehee!!
DeleteWow! What a beautiful and romantic looking lamp. I absolutely love it. That was a great find for a good price-even though it took a good bit of work on your part to make it beautiful again. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana! I have to be honest, I really didn’t even want to touch it in the thrift store. It was that gross. Then I let it sit for months, because I did’t know what to do with it. I was on the edge of having buyer’s remorse, when I decided to start scrubbing. So funny…but it turned out better than I ever expected and in the process I think it’s reawakened my creative spirit (which has been on vacation since the beginning of the year!!).
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThis lamp is absolutely beautiful!!! I just loved how it turned out!! I really need to try those light bulbs. I have been seeing them all over...Thanks so much for sharing....What a stunning project!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog...
Thanks Deb!! The light bulbs are awesome. A DIY using them has been on my list for a long time now. So glad I was able to try them...of course, now I'm hooked!!
DeleteWhere did you find the shade? It’s perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! It worked out really well didn't it? I actually stole it from another lamp that was already in my bedroom. It was a thrift find from years and years ago. Of course, now I need another shade for THAT lamp!! Haha...always something!!
DeleteYou are a magician...and that PINK color!!! OMGOODNESS I love it....I'm gobsmacked! And how easy is it to move it with the battery powered lightbulb...BRILLIANT! And this is the first time I've ever in my life heard of Cerama Bryte. I need some of that! Brava, Friend!
ReplyDeleteRicki, you are just too sweet! I am blushing on this end of the computer! Thank you so much. I was shocked by the pink, too. The lamp was so dirty, it was hidden under layers of grime. Cerama Bryce is amazing. I use it for so many things, and just when I think I’ve exhausted its uses, an icky lamp comes along!! ๐
DeleteI can't think of a craft superpower I can say I have - but I do love bringing something pretty back to life! Your "new" lamp looks perfect. (:
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina! I think the biggest superpower I had to use for this crafty do over was restraint. I really didn't want to change it much, so I'm glad the clean up worked.
DeleteWow! It came out so beautiful!! - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteWow, is all I can say did, you did am amazing job. I would proudly have it in my home. Rub and buff is such and amazing product and that light bulb has just solved an issue I have been dealing with for months. I need a light for a mannequin I have just finished but I did not leave access to add a light. Problem solved now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKim! You know I’ve loved so many of your makeovers, but I have to say this one is my hands down favorite! That is the loveliest shade of pink. I had no idea that battery power light bulbs even existed! Girl you continue to inspire. You have my wheels turning.
ReplyDeleteI love it! It is Stunning! You have a canny ability to see the hidden beauty. Another win! Congratulations!
ReplyDelete