Sunday, March 13, 2011

Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

Pottery Barn does it again darn it! I don't know why I get that catalog. It's a love/hate relationship. I love looking through it getting loads of inspiration, then get sticker shock looking at the prices.

For example. Finials. I love old finials. Love them. Do I have any? No. Does Pottery Barn have any? Yes!

Let's drool for a little bit shall we? All images courtesy of Pottery Barn.

Decorative Finials:


Lamp Finials:

Even a Coat Tree Finial:

Aren't they droolworthy? I thought so too, but I just can't justify the cost (unless I win the lottery of course).

So, I've been on the lookout for months for something to make my own finials out of. I've been stalking our local thrift stores for candle sticks or bed posts or fence posts or lamps or something.

Then one day it happened. I was walking around one of our local thrift stores and lo and behold I spotted this beauty for $1.50:


I should have taken a picture of it at the thrift store, but there were several people hanging around and I didn't want to waste any time in grabbing it. I mean, $1.50??  I grabbed and ran buddy. Grabbed. And. Ran. All's fair in thrifting.

I knew I didn't want to turn it into a finial lamp, though that would have been awesome too. Imagine my delight when I took it apart and found it was actually TWO pieces! Awesome went to awesomeR!



My friends, there are many tutorials in blog land on how to distress things. You can prime and plaster, paint and sand, etc. etc. These are ceramic, so all I did was take my trusty can of flat white interior paint and sloppy paint them. Sorry the pic is a tad blurry, I was just excited.



*Note, hammer was not needed for this project.

After they dried, I sanded some of the paint off here and there and voila! My finials! Aren't they pretty?



So, Pottery Barn finials for appromately $120 for both:


My finials, final cost $1.50 for both (already had the paint):


Here they are in their current spot on my mantel:



Next I'm looking forward to incorporating some green in there! C'mon spring!


Until next time,


Linking to these fabulous linky parties:

18 comments:

  1. What an awesome $1.50 treasure...looks like they need to come over to my party:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  2. Well, if that just doesn't take the cake!? I love it
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  3. Wow.....your transformation was so exciting to read about and to see! Don't you just love a bargain and seeing it all "come together"! I am happy for your find!

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  4. You really got a great deal and turned them into perfection. I feel the same way about that Pottery Barn catalog. It makes me want everything and I so seldom order anything:(

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  5. LOL, I do so know what you mean about the PB catalog! I really enjoyed this post, 'cause I love thrifting and finds like that! They look terrific!

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  6. What a score on the lamp! Great project, turned out really cool!

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  7. Nice, very nice. You have a great eye to see the potential in something. I'm afraid I would have overlooked that lamp.

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  8. LOVE THIS! Come on ova' and link up to my Linky Party! xoxokara


    *ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *


    BRILLIANT! Come share!

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  9. Love the makeover!!!! Can't beat $1.50!!!

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  10. cleverness to the max...great idea and they turned out wonderfully!

    Jan

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  11. What a great idea!!! If you wanted to splurge another 1.50 for a "you paint" knob from Home Depot or the like, it would look fine on the taller one.

    I'm off to look for my own light base and stealing your idea. Thanks!

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  12. I made one of these a couple of months ago. See it here...

    http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/01/huge-finial.html

    I've been on the look out for another lamp to make another...haven't found the perfect one yet...but I will.

    Love your's. I added a small finial from Michael's to the top to finish it off.

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  13. That is awesome!! And what a great find!! Thanks for your sweet comment on my bathroom vanity makeover. I'm following your wonderful blog now!

    xoxo
    jenny

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  14. Very clever!! I have been trying to find something like this, but hadn't thought of an old lamp!!

    Kari

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  15. So lucky to find that lamp! It's take a really good eye to see the potential in a piece like that!

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  16. LOL...that is ingenious!! I love it! I never would have thought to do that but I LOVE it!!

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  17. Pure Genius....I remember Otto....I have relatives that used to have a cabin on the Cowetta Lab Road...lovely times in the Smokies....enjoy your spring! Lyndaoflakeland.blogspot.com

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  18. Lamps are the best buy for up-cycling or re-purposing as they are usually pretty cheap at the thrifts. I like that you used your imagination on that one as the two finials look really nice. I have bought lots of lamps for parts and now taking another good look at them to re-purpose.I will follow you and keep up with your neat ideas.
    Blessings ... Audrey Z @ Timeless Treasures.

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