Monday, March 12, 2012

Ugly Duckling Lamp Becomes A Swan

As I’ve mentioned several times before, I have multiple projects going on now as I am trying to update several areas of our home. One of those ongoing updates is in our living room. I have already updated the end tables here.

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The photo above shows the old tables and lamps. Then I ran across this beauty at a thrift shop.

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Notice the price tag says $8.50 which I thought was a fair price so I paid it. But, just before I walked away from the register, another employee walked up and said “did you not want the other one?” I told her that I did but that I only saw one. She went to look for the mate but decided that it had already been sold and she said that they were supposed to be sold as a pair. She then apologized and said she would give me my refund since the price was for the pair! I ended up paying $4.25 for the lamp! Oh, I do love an unexpected bargain! I brought it home and proceeded to dissect it. You can read about another lamp dissection here. I emptied the shells, even the blue ones, and gave the lamp a good cleaning. I then purchased a new base and put it on.

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I then put it all back together and added a new black shade.

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I was able to find another lamp that had already lost the shells for $10. Even though they are not exact matches, they are close enough to use together.

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Now, I have to deal with the ugly lamp cords. When I had the skirted tables, the cords did not show so cord covers are on my to-do list. I think I’m going to like the new look. The furniture will be reupholstered soon to help bring the room into the current century! Progress is still being made in baby steps around here but baby steps are better than no steps!

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I’ll be linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

 

5 comments:

Maggie said...

These are wonderful, besides being great bargains. Had no idea you could get a new base for a lamp. Thanks for that news. Love the table w/o a skirt - very nice!

Jan said...

Wow! I had no idea one could buy a new lamp base. I so need to get educated about doing these sorts of things! I love the new look of your bargain lamp, and I think it goes perfectly with the "mate" you found for $10. I'm wondering, though, about cord covers. I'm thinking, of course, about the puffed-up frou-frou kind. What kind of cord covers do YOU have in mind? How would any kind of cord cover be less obtrusive with a bare-naked table (love the table by the way)? Am I being hopelessly naive wondering if it wouldn't be better to just "live" with the lamp cords? Most people truly don't notice them, they are a "fact of life."

Peggy~PJH Designs said...

Hi Pat, what a great buy! I just love to find bargains like that but it doesn't happen very often. Thanks for coming by my blog and leaving kind words.

Marianne said...

Hi Pat, I am so loving these lamps. What awesome thrift store finds. They came out fabulous!
Marianne :)

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Great find and beautiful transformation...your home is lovely!
Blessings,
Cindy