Yay!!!! I finally finished this pesky lamp!
Not before I messed it up a few times first, though. {click here to see how many different times I tried to make this lamp cute… and failed.}
Even though this lamp has been ugly for a few months now, I never gave up!
Here is the finished product! Cute, right? Yeah, I think so too.
If you want to ruffle your own lamp, all you’ll need is some spray paint, ribbon, and TONS of hot glue.
Here’s how I did mine.
I took this $6 thift store lamp…
Yes, in my attempts to make it cute, I even spray painted the lamp shade. Needless to say, it didn’t look cute.
It took me a while to figure out that there was an accordion-type cover on it. Once I got that off, it was smooth sailing…
Once I got that ugly old thing off, my lamp shade was still sticky, and globby, so I new I needed to cover it up instead of trying to paint it.
Enter my favorite ribbon EVER!!!! I got this stuff at Hobby Lobby for $1 a roll.
I took some ribbon and hot glued it around the base of my lampshade.
Then, I took the rest of it (6 rolls in all), and cut it all in half, length-wise.
I did this because I wanted to use half as much ribbon, and because I wanted it to lay flat on my lampshade.
Then, I just hot glued the strips onto my lamp, one on top of the other.
Once I got about 3/4 of the way up, I ran out of white ribbon, and so did Hobby Lobby. So, I decided I would do a blue stripe to match the base of my lamp.
Once I got all the way to the top, I added my final strip of ribbon, except I did NOT cut this strip down the middle. (I wanted ruffles on both sides of the ribbon).
And that’s it!
I love that this lampshade has just enough ruffle, but not too much that I want to gag.
And, it’s even cute with the light on.
It’s gonna look so cute in my little girl’s room, once we get into our new house!
***UPDATE***
This is still one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done, and it did end up in Molly’s room in our new house. Hey, I’m not always perfect!
Shari says
How many yards came on each roll you bought? I am ordering this ribbon online, so I want to be sure I am buying enough! Thanks!
Blair says
I tried to decorate a cute lamp the other day and failed. You can see my attempts here: http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-not-decorate-lamp.html but now I may have to go back and try your method! I love the colors!
~Blair
min says
Love this so pretty.
I would love for you to link it up to my party that is running now. Any linky goes.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/any-link-goes-party-running-now-summer.html
Come strut your stuff.
M says
Love that! It looks so good. I have a lamp that I ripped the shade off a while back and have been looking for ideas for remaking it. This one is perfect. Thanks for sharing it.
Whitney Ulrich says
That looks awesome I love it. I found this project through TT&J linky party! Thank you for sharing. Come say hi! I love new followers.
A mommy’s life…with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
BeColorful says
Love love love it. I occasionally change up some lamps for an artisan group I belong to. Sometimes I paint the shades but other times I paint the base and then need a fun idea for the shade. This is definitely going on my give it a try list. Thanks for sharing the idea.
Pam @ BeColorful
Jessica says
I love how this lamp turned out. The blue is such a fun color! I really love the lamp shade with that ribbon. You did an amazing job!
justenoughstyle.blogspot.com
Nikki says
okay…I am seriously in love with this and this tutorial! Great Job! I will probably be making one of these for my little girls room! I found your blog through a link party and I LOVE it! I am your newest follower and I would love it if you would come check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Kristi says
What a fabulous idea! This is adorable!
EmRuss says
maybe your best idea yet! Super cute. Super, super, cute!!
Seaweedandraine says
Ok, so that is officially cute! I really like it. I’m sure your little girl will love it too. I have often looked at thrift lamps and just gone “ugh!” and not seen the potential… I would never have thought of painting the metal part of the base – but it came up a treat! Nice job. 🙂
Stephanie Moss says
SO CUTE! Some day when I get to decorate my house, I will for sure do that too!
Anonymous says
Way cute! Love the ruffles
Lyssa says
So cute! That seemed like it took a lot of time! It turned out awesome!
kate says
I love the lamp! I also love that you showed us all the transformations before you got it right. We all know about project flops… it starts with great intentions and then… somewhere we go wrong! That is life though! Thanks for sharing!
kimbowest says
that is ribbon! omgosh. looks awesome!
Trina says
I love how it turned out! I am glad to see the mess ups….it always makes me feel better that I am not the only one who does that! 🙂
marisa @ a little birdy told me... says
So cute and fun! I love when that AHA moment finally happens!
Betsy says
I am in love with this lamp!!!! You need to open a etsy account so I can buy one!
Casey says
My favorite tutorial yet…:)