Updated floor lamp

Floor lamps used to be all the rage. I remember sifting through pictures of my parents old apartment filled with mid-century furnishings and the lamps they had were fun and funky (along with the fashion choices).

Very often in the homes I decorate lighting seems to be a big miss. Whether this is because of the high price tag on lighting or the fact most homes have recessed or at least flush mount lights built into almost every room, I’m not really certain. But since I love a great lamp, I’m always looking for old lamps at flea markets, resale stores, and even the Goodwill. I like to breathe new life into them so they will fit with a modern esthetic. Sometimes they don’t need anything except a new lampshade; sometimes they require a little more assistance.

This is my latest project

I found a floor lamp with a glass table attached at the Salvation Army for $7. It was brass with a lovely pleated shade.

I decided to update this piece for a shabby chic bedroom. First I took the shade off and cut away the pleated shade from the wire frame. I was left with the top and the bottom circular pieces. I discarded the bottom and spray painted the top with an antique nickel color.

I then cut clothesline into 24 inch strips. I needed approx 180ft of clothesline to go all the way around the shade. I attached the strips to the wire frame by folding each strip in half and then looping it to the frame letting the strips hang down, then I knotted them at the bottom. I then spray painted the lamp the same antique nickel color, being careful to tape off the glass table top.

This is the finished product

I wish I could take credit for this but I found a table lamp similar to this on Pinterest and applied it to my trash to treasure find. I think it will look great in the bedroom!

Many times the lampshade is what dates the lamp and usually you can change this easily by painting it or applying fabric. Let me rephrase that: it isn’t always easy but it can be done cheaply.

This shade came with a great table lamp:

Some people may find this shade to be “retro-chic” but it was not going to work for what I needed. All it took was 4 balls of jute twine and about a 1/2 hour of time to wrap this around the shade and give it new life. You can find this twine at any craft store or Walmart. One ball cost about $1.50; so the shade plus the twine cost me about $8.

And this is the finished product

Nancy Bradley photo

Nancy bradley

I consult, design, and remodel spaces that reflect the homeowner’s lifestyle and budget by getting the cost question out of the way and really listening to what my client wants and how much they have set aside for their project.