The Lighting Department

While we’ve been decorating and arranging our house, lighting was one area that I could upgrade quickly and cheaply. Unlike buying a new couch or rug, lighting is typically less expensive and thankfully in my case, readily available in the local thrift stores.

Take our living room for example. I made over a set of matching lamps, even though I had plenty of challenges with the spray paint. 

They started brushed gold and got very spidery when I started spraying them. It’s the only word I can think of to describe it, look.

After some sanding and priming {OK I admit I didn’t prime first, hence the spiders probably} they turned out pretty good. For now I made them white since we don’t particularly have a color style in the living room yet, we’re waiting on the couch for that.

I also made over the lamp you saw recently in the foyer. It also got some spray paint and a newly thrited shade. Can you believe I found that burlap shade for $3? I’ve seen them at $60+ retail.

Most of the sconces on our walls even got an upgrade soon after we moved in. Shiny brass got oil rubbed bronzed {and I threw in a new mirror for fun – no, necessity!}.

Within all these lighting makeovers there is one lamp project fail floating around. It’s actually in our bedroom.  I found two lamps that matched and again went after them with my spray paint. They seem alright from a far right?

Well I don’t like them one bit. I tried distressing them because I hadn’t done that yet to a piece of furniture but it was a complete fail. Look closer. A distressing don’t!

Not the kind of finish you’d see in a magazine huh? I don’t know what I was thinking. Needless to say once the weather gets warmer I’m going to go after those babies with some more paint!

Overall lighting is a quick and easy DIY project, that is painting it, no more distressing for me.

Do you have lighting projects you’ve done? A finish you’ve tried and didn’t like? Something you wish turned out better?