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DIY Edison Bulb Lamp | All About That JUNK

All About That JUNK· DIY

8 Apr

Junk Banner
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Prepare to be amazed. Your lamp buying adventures are about to be revolutionized.

You see, one of my favorite things about the above photo (besides my itty bitty baby and my antique door bed frame), are my mismatched lamps. They’re beautiful, and industrial, and make a statement….

…and they started out as hideous brass Goodwill junk.

Here’s the deal. You know those ugly lamps you ignore in your favorite junkin’ spots because, well, they’re awful? The ones that are everywhere, that only an 80-year-old would buy?

Like these?

PicMonkey Collage

True story, I took these photos today at one of my favorite antique malls in a matter of 10 seconds. Seriously, everywhere.

I buy them.

The easiest way to transform anything is a can of spray paint, and that’s exactly what these ugly lamps need. Most of the time, antique lamps are pretty high quality (assuming the wiring is still good). They’re made of good materials, ornate, and are built to withstand a nuclear explosion.

And they’re normally under $10 at your local Goodwill.

Customizing your own lamp, using an outdated brass base, has never been so easy… or as inexpensive!

DSC_1251

photo 5 copy
Materials Needed:

– Ugly lamp
– Painter’s tape
– Spray paint
– Light bulb (I love using Edison bulbs, despite their price, for a industrial/modern look.)

Directions:

1. Clean lamp body with soap and water.

2. Apply painter’s tape around the socket, switch and where the cord meets the lamp. You don’t want any paint hitting the electrical components.

3. Pick your favorite color of spray paint (I’m a fan of Rust-Olem’s Oil Rubbed Bronze), and have at it.

4. Once painted and dried, remove painter’s tape and insert light bulb.

And… done.

I feel almost silly writing out these directions, but I have to share how simple this project is! Don’t feel limited by your options at HomeGoods ever again! You can customize everything from the style, color, bulb, shade (or no shade!), and have a one-of-a-kind lamp for under $20.

Can’t find two of the same ugly lamps? Who cares! Find two of the same height, and paint them the same color for a cohesive mismatched look.

Is your mind blown yet? πŸ˜‰ Anyone else a lover of ugly lamps, like me?

—

Follow All About That JUNK every Wednesday on Cotten Tales! Click here to see previous projects.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diana @ Life in German. says

    April 9, 2015 at 6:02 am

    that’s a great tip, seriously! I might go looking for a lamp to transform it into something “new”

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      April 9, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      It’s such an easy project! You never know what you’ll find when junkin’! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  2. Corei Helmer says

    April 13, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    I have actually done this … I bought some ugly gold lamps when I moved into my first college apartment. We sanded them down and painted them black and white to go with our black, white, and red living room decor. They came out really cute.

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      April 14, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      Your first college apartment, Corei?! Now I feel old. I was living in my first college apartment when I was coaching you all at Ritter! πŸ˜‰

      Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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Have a magical day! ✨ #waltdisneyworld #magicki Have a magical day! ✨

#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #springbreak #butdidyoudie
Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten ho Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten house today! πŸ€ͺ I’m still teary-eyed over how grown up our babies looked on stage. πŸ₯Ί So, so proud of them and their @talent_factory_ Company teammates! #dancemom @iddancecomp

The Sanderson Sisters | Dorothy
πŸ† Iconic Platinum, 1st Overall Junior Novice Duo/Trio 
***Special Award: Costume Award

Sweet Scoops | Frances
πŸ† Iconic Platinum, 3rd Overall Mini Novice Small Group 

Cabana Cuties | Dorothy
πŸ† Iconic Platinum, 2nd Overall Junior Novice Small Group, 
***Special Award: Artistic Execution 

The Addams Family | Dorothy
πŸ† Ultra Iconic (highest achievement), 2nd Overall Intermediate Teen Production
ID ICON BUZZER 🚨
***Special Awards: Costume Award, Technique Award, Trendsetter Award
I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be β€œfun.” 8 days later - with HOURS of help from @kadstewa, @saworkman2012, and @andrewni88 - I retire from puzzles forever. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜³πŸ˜œ
The Doc is in! πŸ’œ We took a surprise trip to @ch The Doc is in! πŸ’œ We took a surprise trip to @childrensmuseum last night to preview the new Doc McStuffins exhibit. Frances loved caring for the stuffed animals, and Dot is on her way to becoming a surgeon specializing  in toy dragons. Do you have doctors-in-training at your house? 🩺 The exhibit opens to the public TOMORROW, so don’t miss it! #attcm #childrensmuseum #docmcstuffins
We ate brunch in a traincar diner πŸš‚, explored S We ate brunch in a traincar diner πŸš‚, explored Salem πŸ§™β€β™€οΈ, froze our faces while wandering colonial forts and lighthouses on the Atlantic 🌊, and ended our New England weekend seeing this gorgeous girl finally marry her love in a 1901 stone mansion πŸ‘°πŸ»β€β™€οΈ. Who knew hiring Nikole as my assistant director in 2017 would lead to a friendship like this? πŸ’›
These. Three. πŸ’ƒπŸ•ΊπŸ’ƒ @talent_factory_ #tfadh These. Three. πŸ’ƒπŸ•ΊπŸ’ƒ @talent_factory_ #tfadholidayshowcase21
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