I need your help.
I bought this lamp at the thrift store a few weeks ago for $1.91 (weird Salvation Army pricing). I needed a little lamp for the counter in my kitchen and this fit the bill. Even though it’s a boudoir lamp, it was the right height and I liked the hobnail design. When was the last time someone used the term boudoir, anyhow?
Excuse the leftover poinsettia. I can’t bear to throw away my poinsettia while it’s still fairly lively. When all the leaves are gone I have no problem throwing it in the trash though. I guess if I just plucked all the leaves off right now, I could toss it?
Anyhow, the lamp didn’t come with a shade, so I searched high and low for the perfect shade. And when I didn’t find it, I just bought a plain Jane white shade thinking I could do something to fancy it up.
But for the life of me, I cannot figure out what to do with it.
It’s bland, it’s basic, it’s blah!!!!
Any ideas? Have you seen anything fantastic on the crafty people’s blogs?
While you answer that question, I will show you the other lamp that I found the same week at a different Salvation Army thrift store.
It is not vintage whatsoever, but I liked the detail on the base.
And it was silverplated.
You all know how I am with silverplated stuff. It just jumps into my cart and follows me home, whether I need it or not. This lamp was a little more expensive at $2.92.
This lamp did not come with a shade either (you’d think someone would learn not to buy lamps without shades), but I stuck a glass shade from a jar candle on it and it’s good to go.
I figure that I will live with both for a while and the one that I don’t love to death will get a free ride back to the Salvation Army.
Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures
Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl
Magpie Monday at Me And My Shadow
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
TARYTERRE
These lamps were GREAT finds. I love the knobby milk glass look of the boudoir one. Maybe some kind of beading on the shade, at the top and bottom edges. I’m not all that creative myself. You should probably checkout that PINTEREST site. Lots of folks rave about it for GREAT ideas. GOOD LUCK.
Denise at PinkPostcard.
so pretty Pam!!! I would have been loving on that too. I did a thrift store lamp shade makeover here:
http://pinkpostcard.blogspot.com/2011/11/crystal-rosette-lampshade.html
A little ruffled ribbon around the bottom edge would be cute too! Or stenciled letters? fun possibilities!
Sally
Hmmmm – have you gone on Pinterest to search “lampshades?” I’ll be you’d find lots of interesting stuff!
Olive Cooper
The hobnail one is so pretty. How about trimming out the edge with something? You do know I have a closet full of spare shades for situations such as this-freak that I am.
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
Two great finds Pam. I love the silver one! I’m with you when it comes to throwing out the poinsettia plants, especially when they still look so pretty like yours does. I still have 3 of them that are thriving so I can’t bare to throw them out!
NanaDiana
Love the silver plated base! WOW…gorgeous. We always called that hobnail milk glass…not sure if htat is the right term? But you are right-It does need a bit of something on the shade to dress it up…a bit of linen….or burlap….or floral…oh…so many choice.
Wish I could get a free ride to the Salvation Army store…and have an empty trunk to fill with treasures. xo Diana
julie - eab designs
Hi Pam, I cover this type shade with fabric quite often. Here is a link to a great tutorial if you like to try it. It really is quite simple. http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-cover-lampshades-with-fabric.html
Love the silver plate base and it would have definitely come home with me as well.
Granny Sue
You know, that plain white shade is kinda cool–it allows you to do all sorts of other things around it. I have seen people glue doilies (paper or crocheted) onto shades. I’ve also seen doilies used as stencils to create a neat lacy design on a shade. I’ve never tried either one, though!
Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing
Great lamp Pam. I would get some pretty ribbon that you are drawn too, and trim the top and bottom with it…even something vintage with a tad of lace or something.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love your lamps, Pam…and who knows maybe next trip to the thrift store you’ll find a shade you love, too…
Pat
Oh, keep them both! No ideas, except to use material in colors around where you are putting it. You are so funny, I love reading your blog. You should do more writing.
Karen June Miller
I’m smiling at the randomness of the Salvation Army pricing as well. Great bargains though. I definitely lean toward the silver-plated goodie, for sure.
I have an Italian glass lamp that is one piece and hollow. It has a rounded bottom and the upper part is shaped just like a normal lampshade. The entire lamp lights up and can be quite white, although it is opaque. It even acts as a great bug-catcher and no one sees the bugs! Anyway, I often drape seasonal scarves over the top to break up the white.
From Idaho,
Karen
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Find your favorite fabric and cover it using spray adhesive. To cover the raw edges, add a chunky trim from the upholstery section of the fabric store to the top and bottom edges of the shade. Cute lamps and great prices!
Kim K.
Wow. Everyone has great ideas. I can’t wait to see what you come up with Pam. Your milk glass lamp is fabulous. You always find the best stuff.
artteachergirl
Don’t throw something at me, but I’d leave the white shade…should I duck?
Hobnail had enough going for it, I think.
MamaMonki
I’ve seen some where they modpodged pages from books to the shade… what if you did recipes? Goodwill always has old recipe books.
Carol A.Bender
There is some kind of weird connection between us. I am cleaning out our back room and I just put a white hob nail lamp in my kitchen. Not to stay there but because I need to clean it. 🙂 I love the lamps you found. Good luck in deciding what to do with the shade. Sorry I’m no help, but I’m looking forward to seeing what your talented self does.
Ceekay- Thinkin of Home
On Pinterest there was just a post about writing on a shade….I think I pinned it….I will try to find it, it was cute!
Tricia
I made a slipcover type thing for the shade in my daughter’s room, which is very similar in shape to the shade you have. I sewed it in three separate sections and I can just remove it if I get sick of it since I didn’t glue it on or anything. Well, that’s my two cents 🙂
Crystal Jeffers
Pam,
I love the hob nob milk glass lamp! So adorable. it would be perfectly dressed with some scroll work painted onto the shade in a ecru color and then perhaps some mini pearls dangling from the bottom of the shade. line the top and bottom with a little silver or gold to to touch it off!
Gloria
I like the white shade just as is. I have two similar lamps and shades on a chest in my spare bedroom. Plain and simple!
Mark
What? You’re asking me for decorating advice? Um, Okay!
I’m not sure what the others said but my advice is to go with a shade that’s more cylindrical than yours which flares out. And since your poinsettia will soon say “bye bye”, a shade in a mossy green or earthy red would look nice.
m.
Dee in Oregon
Have you seen the shades with the coffee filters gluded to them? They are really cute and cheap to do but time consuming. There is a tutorial on Google for them if you’re interested.
H
How about buttons. Just plain mix-matched small white buttons glued all over. They are the cheapest and easiest to pick up from the thrift stores. My daughter did that to a lampshade and it looks wonderful.
Faye ~ Wild Rose Vintage
On the hobnail..how about adding a little old lace, like crochet trim or cover the whole shade with a piece of an old lace tablecloth. I plan to cover one of my shades with a piece from a cutter tablecloth that I bought just for that purpose. I didn’t read the previous comments…someone probably has already suggested this. I think the white poinsettia is still pretty and I keep mine out until they look bad.
Betsy
Love both of your very thrifty lamps and I Love that word…boudoir.
I’m sure you’ll come up with something fabulous for that plain white shade. So nice to have a simple canvas to start with. My first thought would be to cover it in burlap and then trim out the bottom and top edges. So many pretty decorative papers out there too. Have fun!
LizlovesVintage
Pam,
Burlap, ruffles, lace? Do you go to Hometown Girl’s Blog? Look in her archives. She purchased a lamp in the end of the Summer? I believe she bought a shade from Target. Not sure. It made a world of difference. I hope I gave you some ideas. Cute lamps 🙂
xxx Liz
Debbie refreshrestyle
Love the lamps and I have no clue about where you can get a shade. I wish we had a Salvation Army! Have a great week, Debbie
The Tablescaper
Great lamps – both of them. Two thoughts on the shades – depending on your decor. Use trim on top and bottom rim. It’s amazing how trim and a hot glue gun can change a lamp shade. I’d go to to a store with trim and let your thoughts wonder. The other is, use the good old Mod Podge all over the shade. Use whatever goes with your decor.
It was great to have you visit.
– Thee Tablescaper
JunkStuffTreasures
Both of those lamps are so nice! Have you tried switching the shades? I wonder if the wider shade would look better on the taller lamp? Not sure how the pleated shade would look on the hobnail lamp, though. Just a thought….
Heather
Ooh, Pam, I wish that silver plate lamp would fly over to my house! I’m like you…I can’t resist silver!
Karen
Those are both beautiful lamps Pam. I stink at decorating advice but I’ll bet you can find something gorgeous on pinterest.
Pam @ Frippery
Awesome finds Pam. How about a chenille or dotted Swiss fabric to vintage up the shade. A little spray adhesive an you’re good to go.
Country Dreaming
They are both great looking.
Not bad on the prices either.
You could cover the shade with fabric.
Melinda
Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch)
P.S. I forgot to say: LOVE that silver lamp! Me too, I am crazy for anything silver/silverplate.
gv