hey. it rhymed. sortof.
Just shrug that nonsense right off because it is time for Frog Tape Friday!
Yeehaw tape em cowboy! and cowgirls! and everybody in between!
First we need to break out the good ole men in green…
Those little rolls are our first line of defense against bleeding paint lines.
Next I chose my makeover client…the gold painted lamp I scored at Goodwill.
If you follow me on Instagram (@bowerpowerblog) you know that prior to Weston’s big debut, I picked up a couple funky lamps at the Goodwill. They are both in dire need of a makeover. The one on the left was fifteen buckeroos. A pretty decent price for such a beefy lamp. I loved the texture on it. I didn’t however love the finish.
My mom pointed out that the entire thing was solid plaster…see that little white dot where it got a tiny chip? oh and yes, the thing weighed like eighteen pounds.
I used the tape to first protect the neck of the hardware and the cord. No point in looking sloppy. at least not in public.
Then came painting time. I didn’t really know what direction to take this thing…dark and brooding with Francesca or fun and vibrant with Araucana Teal. (Yes, I’ve had these sample bottles from Martha’s line forever – back when they sold samplers for three bones a piece – and I love that they have little mini brushes built in – hollah no clean up!)
So I did what any normal folk would do….I painted each side different colors. The dark totally won.
I put an old walmart shade on top…but it needs something more…maybe ribbon trim?
I do love love love the color now. Reminds me of a pineapple for some reason.
So there you have it…a new lamp for about an hour of painting and $15. Pretty sweet, huh? I like to think of this one as a dark horse…you don’t realize you love it until it has already run away with your heart.
Have you guys been painting any thrift store finds lately? I’d love to hear all about it 🙂
This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
Lydia Knight says
Hi Katie,
My sister and brother in law wanted paint for Christmas for their condo. So with the gift card from Home Depot, I got them 2 big rolls of Frog Tape. I told them it came highly recommended from your DIY blog. I also got a brush and a roller and put it all in a red plastic bucket. I hid the gift card under the rolls of tape. That was a fun gift. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lydia
From Parkway Bible Chapel
Carrie M. says
Very cute! I think a ribbon on the shade would be really cute! Side note question: Did you paint your kitchen chairs red or did they come that way? They’re SUPER cute!
Rachael says
“you don’t realize you love it until it has already run away with your heart.” Haha love that line. The lamp looks awesome!!
Katie says
The lamp turned out great! I am never that lucky on my Goodwill trips. What are your plans with the 2nd lamp?
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
Pretty! I love updates to old items! We just picked up a ton of beautiful glass vases and candle holders that I can’t wait to freshen up!
Sophie says
Ahhh, that lamp has such a great shape! Didn’t love the old colour so much… The new one makes it look so classy and puts a bit of a modern twist. I think I’m in love with a lamp
I can see myself being filmed for a documentary #comingsoon #girlswholovelamps
Brenda says
Love the dark color and the texture.
Marge says
Love that 2nd lamp–can’t wait to see what your plans are with that one! I scored a great (huge, heavy, nice proportions) Goodwill lamp recently but I’m having issues finding a lampshade that works–my life is so hard! 🙂
Lindsay Redd says
It totes reminded me of a pineapple too! Love it! We are crazy about painting thrift store finds!
Some are here: http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/p/before-and-after.html?m=0
We actually furnished our entire house for $320. We blogged about our $106 living room
Here: http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2012/11/thrifted-living-room.html?m=1
We love up cycling! Thanks for your blog!
Debbie says
I think it turned out so beautiful!
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
There’s nothing better than a Goodwill lamp with a fresh coat of paint! Looks great!
Ashley says
I totally thought it looked like a pineapple too! Now it’s a sophisticated, classy pineapple – I think the dark color is awesome you can still see the pattern but its not overwhelming!
Arli says
Yes, I see some brown and white/cream striped ribbon around the lampshade! Can’t beleive what a big difference painting it made.
Melissa Irvin says
Have you considered painting the lampshade? I think the shade would look pretty in the blue color! 🙂
Leslie says
What color would you say that Francesca is? Is it black? Brown?
Jess @ homevolution says
My immediate thought was pineapple too (and I love pineapples). It looks awesome!!
Heidi of 'Operation Organization - MN' says
I thought pineapple when I saw it as well. 🙂 They are actually great for deor’ in the home as they are a symbol of hospitality:
“the image of the pineapple coming to express the sense of welcome, good cheer, human warmth and family affection inherent to such gracious home gatherings.”
~http://levins.com/pineapple.html
enjoyed my first-time visit here –
Cheers!
Amy says
I continue to be jealous of your Goodwill finds. I’m lucky to uncover something other than recycled fast-food restaurant cups or 10 copies of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. You lucky girl, you.
Katie says
It’s a very very dark gray…almost black.
xo – kb
Katie says
I actually thought of doing a pattern in paint!
xo – kb
Katie says
No plans yet!
xo – kb
Katie says
I painted them. Here is the post on how it went down.
xo – kb
Katie says
So cute! Love that idea!
Tell Pastor Dad I said hi!
xo – kb
Ann says
Frogtape or other painters’ tape is a necessary addition to a little kid veterinary kit. Makes excellent adhesive tape for doctoring aardvarks, tigers, horses, and other plastic animals. Or for constructing harnesses for them. Or for laying out zoo cages on the floor. Also good for laying out road grids for tiny cars.
Katie says
haha…love it 🙂
xo – kb
Lori says
Katie I’m dying to know what the little jars are in your picture. Pls do tell!
Anisha J Sharma says
Hey I never ask anyone to share my blog cause i write for myself but today its a cause….. a 23 year old girl was brutally raped and assaulted on Dec 16th and she died today Dec 29th after fighting for her life. im requesting you to read and share it with everyone as u have a large audience who reads your blog…..I would really appreciate if you could help….this is for every girl out there…. thank you.
http://annie-lifeontherocks.blogspot.in/2012/12/rip-indias-daughter.html
Lori @ Lighten Up! says
Wow – what a difference a coat of paint makes. I love it. It’s such a heavy, substantial shape that the darker color is perfect. In fact, you could probably even go with a more “weighty” shade if you wanted to.
I wish I had the Goodwill upscaling eye. I get great deals on stuff there – we go every week – but I am just starting to see things that have DIY potential. More often than not, I can’t get past a bad or dated color or paint job. I guess practice will make perfect, and coming here helps me see that amazing things can be done with those diamonds in the rough!
Katie says
Here is the post all about them.
xo – kb
Ginny@ Goofy Monkeys says
Posts like this remind me that I must get my buns to Goodwill and other thrift shops in the new year. Such great finds!
Carol says
Great job on the lamp — it looks really good in its nice dark color!
Allison says
So can you not still buy those Martha samples anymore? I’ve never seen them before!
jenni T. says
No joke, I bought the pineapple lamps from rooms to go three years ago for a hefty price and just sold them on Craig’s list six months ago. love what u did with them. I wish I had kept them now! You got a good deal for sure!
Christa says
I did the same thing a couple months ago with our lamps and a bunch of ugly stuff around the house! Here: http://www.ourlittlebubble.com/2012/09/pinterest-inspired.html
We are a family of 6, so definitely have a tight budget and I love thrifting! It’s hard for me to pay full price for something now 🙂 Love your blog and I have found lot’s of inspiring things to work on! So thx!! -Fellow Boy Mom, Christa
Judy Clark says
You certainly transformed that lamp. It really looks expensive now! Great project.
Judy
Katie says
You can still buy the samples at Home Depot but they aren’t premixed…you would just have to buy it colormatched in another brand.
xo – kb
Katy says
Wow!! The lamp looks great!! I think the light color would have looked awesome too (I’m not daring enough to go with the light color though…and come to think of it…i’m not insightful enough to pick out such a cool lamp from a thrift store either!)
Adrienne B says
I feel like it maybe needs a slightly bigger shade. (yes, I’m that lady with the lamp in her cart trying on on the shades until I get the right one)
Jenn says
That lamp turned out AMAZING! I am so curious what you’ll do with lamp 2. That one sort of gives me the heebie jeebies with it’s texture so I am really waiting on that transformation.
Katie says
TOTALLY agree. But I can’t find one that is affordable.
xo – kb
Shannon Rinckey says
Is it just me, or do Southern women love pineapples?
Just sayin’.
I love big chunky Goodwill lamps that can be repainted. I have two of my own that I can see from where I’m sitting now.
And I appreciate your rhyming, btw. Dr. Seuss has nothing on you.
Kris {Driven by Décor} says
Katie – I love it! Dark was definitely the way to go! Reminds me that it’s been way too long since I’ve been to the thrift store – now its on my agenda for this weekend!
Michele says
I cannot express how much I love that lamp….after you painted it. 😉
Reine says
Love the dark color and the texture.