My Simple Lampshade Makeover

I have a lamp that was bronze/gold with a dark beige lampshade.  It didn't fit in with the room I was going to move it to - so I painted it.  I spray painted the lamp silver and then I went to work on the shade.  I am not a glitz person so this makeover is very simple.

At first I was going to cover the shade with fabric but changed my mind because I didn't have any fabric on hand that would work.  I made the decision from the get-go that I was only going to use things I already had.  Simple and cheap, that's me.  Take a look.

This is the shade before I started painting.  Please note - my house is dark because I live surrounded by enormous oak trees.  Even with the lights on and the flash - this is as bright as I can get it.

This is the shade with three coats of "warm white" paint.



 

 

Here it is with tape applied.  Keeping that line straight is a real pain.  I had to measure about every two inches to be sure. 

 

 

Here it is with two coats of turquoise paint.  I used regular old acrylic craft paint.  Now it must dry really well before I remove the tape.

 



 

 

And - the finished makeover.  Simple but nice.  I am actually thinking of adding some silver dots but I want to look at it for awhile before I decide. 

 

Now that this is completed and worked out pretty well, I am going to do two more.   Have I inspired or discouraged you?

 

Have a great day!

 

Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.

 

Jeanne

Makeover Magic - The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

CH performs magic when he restores and refinishes pieces of furniture that others have discarded.  The magic, it seems, is in the genes because that same magic has been performed by his daughter, Brenna.

Brenna is a fantastic young woman who took her first steps in doing a daunting makeover.  She found this monstrosity of a china cabinet in a used furniture store and scored it for about $100.

 

There is also a base to the china cabinet.  You will see that in another pic.  This was the sanding portion of the process.

 

 

Brenna and her husband, Drew, live in Connecticut so having Dad come over for some instruction was out of the question.  They did talk and CH gave her tips and hints.  Brenna took the challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 The taping and priming of the doors.  I must note that all of this work was done inside Brenna's apartment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paint goes on!!  Brenna used Valspar "Indigo Cloth" in semi-gloss.  A dramatic color, to say the least.

 

 

Brenna said that she "painted, painted, painted".  Brenna also said that this project was a "labor of love".  It certainly is!

 

 

The finale!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



I am thrilled to highlight Brenna's work.  Perhaps if she ever gives up teaching as a profession she can take up refurbishing.  The apple truly does not fall far from the tree.

 

 

Please ..... keep it simple and make it real.

 

Jeanne 

 

 

 



 

 





Makeover Opinion

The above statement says it all.  Think about it.



While you are thinking about that, think about the pic below because I need some opinions.

 

 

 

A friend of CH's brought this to us.  This desk is big, heavy and laminate.  It has very gold trim.  Each pedestal has two regular drawers and one file drawer.  Even painted this will never sell.  What would you suggest for a makeover?  I want to cut out the middle portion and make two separate tables.  Then I want to cover all the surfaces with bead board after removing all the gold trim.  Please tell me what you think.

 

This desk came to us free and I hate to not use it.  I will appreciate any and all responses.

 

 

Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.

 

Jeanne

Nightstand Makeover

I haven't visited The 36th Avenue blog for awhile, but I should have.  This blog is filled with cooking, sewing, decorating, diy-ing and anything else that can be thrown in.  When I saw this example of a 1970's makeover I was wowed.  To go from old, worn out laminate to bright paint and style is amazing.  Take a look:

 

 

Isn't the transformation amazing?  The site has more pics and a complete tutorial.  Painting laminate is simple if you follow Desiree's directions.  By the way, she only paid $4 for the table.

 

 

Please click here for everything you need to know.

 

 

Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.

 

Jeanne

 

Makeover Magic

A very nice lady came to us for three pieces of bedroom furniture.  We were happy to oblige. We found the dresser, night stand and mirror at an auction and went to work.  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was used and was an excellent choice for the project because of ease of application and finish.

Here are the befores:

Here is the work in progress:

Here is the makeover magic!

We were very pleased with the final results and our customer loved them!

Nice.