Table Lamp Refurbish
I had a boring table lamp which I decided to refurbish and make it look fresh and unique. I used Rust-Oleum spray paint for the base, black and white tulle, and lace trim for the lamp shade. You will also need a pair of scissors, glue gun, a thread (same color as your lace trim), and a sewing needle.
Step 1
- paint the base
Start with taping the cord and the lamp socket, to avoid paint getting on them. Make sure to paint on a relatively warm day (70 F) to ensure proper drying. I coated the base 3 times with matte white Rust-Oleum spray paint from Home Depot. It cost about $4.
Step 2 -
make the decorative strips
My lamp has 6 "ribs", so I made 12 strips out of tulle. 6 to cover the ribs, and 6 in between these ribs. I ordered the tulle from Ebay. I paid $3.50 for 100 yards of 6 inch wide tulle.
I cut these strips an inch longer than the height of the lamp shade on both sides. I folded it in half two times, leaving me with 1.5- inche wide strips. I cut a small piece of tulle to tie around the middle of the strip.
Step 3 -
attach the strips
Start attaching the tulle strips onto the ribs first (if your shade has them, that is; if not, make sure to attach your strips at equal distance from each other). Once done, glue the rest of the strips in between your existing strips. This will guarantee symmetrical placement of the strips.
Both on top and bottom, the strips will be an inch longer than your shade. Before gluing them to the shade make sure to fold the top and bottom inch of overlap into half, so your strip ends are nice and even.
Step 4 -
create the middle strip
Carefully measure the circumference of the middle of your lampshade, and cut a slightly longer strip of tulle. Depending on how wide of a strip you'd like, fold the tulle accordingly. I sewed the decorative lace trim to the tulle.
Step 5 -
attach the lace trim
Using the hot glue gun, I attached the middle lace trim to every other vertical trim.
Before gluing the horizontal trim to your vertical trims, make sure the middle sections on your vertical trims line up nicely.
Step 6 -
attach the seam
binding
The seam binding covers up any rugged edges of tulle, making your lamp look neat and professional :)
Once you cut the appropriate length of seam binding, carefully glue it to the inside of the shade, both on the top and bottom.
Step 7 -
enjoy your "brand new" table lamp!
