Now that Summer is over I’m starting to think of all the projects I have planned for the Fall. One of my big projects on my ‘to do’ list is to decorate the guest bedroom. We have a few guests staying with us over the next few months and I really want the bedroom to look nice and be very inviting and warm. I’m feeling so inspired by the beautiful Fall colors that I decided to use it as my inspiration for my guest bedroom room decor. The first project I conquered for the guest bedroom is my Fall Inspired Lamp Makeover.
A few months back, at the end of last winter I came across this pretty bird material at a local curtain store. I walk past there every day with my boys and this particular day I spotted this pretty print from afar and had to snap it up. I didn’t know at the time what I wanted to use it for but I knew I would eventually use it. When I started planning out the room I instantly thought this beautiful fabric would be the perfect design for my lamp makeover! I was right! I LOVE how it turned out and how instant the change has been to an otherwise boring and bare room.
I love the golden mustard color which reminds me of the beautiful golden leaves of Autumn. It really is as pretty as a picture and I’m so glad I jumped on this piece of material. I was very lucky I managed to cover two lamp shades with this material and the best thing about it all? It cost me $5.00!! I know right?!?!
I did in fact purchase the lamp shades and stands new but I purchased them from a little store close to my home that sells affordable homewares. The set cost me $30 but they certainly needed more character added to them as the stands where plain white and a boring grey for the shades.
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Fall Inspired Lamp Makeover:
Materials
1. Lamp stands
2. Lamp shades
3. Gold spray paint
4. Fabric of choice – because your shades may be a completely different size and shape to mine I have not included measurements but I suggest you purchase the lamp shades first then measure out how much material you will need. I just got very lucky that the material I found was enough for the shades I decided to buy.
5. Hot glue gun & hot glue sticks
6. Scissors (for material and paper)
7. Pencil
8. Painters tape
9. Newspaper
Here’s how to makeover your lamp!
1. Start by covering all the areas you dont’ want spray painted on the stands with painters tape. I covered the top where the light bulb goes and also the cords.
2. Start spray painting over the stands. Firstly shake your can well for a couple of minutes then hold the can about 20-30cm away from the stand to give it an even coat of paint. This also avoids spaying too heavily and risking creating paint drips. I did two coats on each stand and one final “touch up” coat for any little areas I felt needed a little extra coverage.
Allow paint to dry.
3. Grab a sheet of newspaper. Wrap it around your lamp shade and trace over the top and bottom edges. Once complete unroll paper and you will have your pattern ready to cut and transfer over to your material.
4. Copy the shape of the lamp shade by placing your pre-cut newspaper pattern onto the back of the material.
5. Cut your material following the lines you have just drawn. You cuts should look something like the image below but it all depends on the shape and size of the shades you choose.
6. Once you have your pieces of fabric cut and ready to go then just add hot glue to the line which joins the existing lamp shade (see image below) and press down on your fabric. Hold for a few seconds or until glue has set.
7. Pull material tight all the way around the shade and once you are happy with how it has aligned, hot glue another line and stick down the over lapping material.
8. Sit your lamp shade upright and fold over the material onto the inside of the lamp shade. Check if there is too much material and cut accordingly. Once you are happy with it all, cut small incisions into the material where the metal wires join the frame.
9. Hot glue the inside of your shade and fold material over tightly. Hold for a few seconds or until securely glued and set.
10. Voila! You’re done. Repeat on shade number two and you have two updated and pretty lamp shades!
I love rustic, vintage/chic and country style decor. I want the guest bedroom to have a rustic Fall feel to it so I also made over two IKEA FROSTA STOOLS to use as little side tables while I search for the “perfect” bedside tables for the guest room. Find the tutorial right HERE. I also created this Blue & Gold Watercolour Art Print to add some pretty blue tones to the entire look. You can DOWNLOAD your FREE copy right here!
I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial and it inspires you to give your lamp new life by applying these simple steps.
If you’re looking for some more DIY inspiration then check out these tutorials over at my blog Pastels & Macarons!
IKEA STEP STOOL MAKEOVER
DIY ABSTRACT OCEAN PAINTING