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A Lamp & a Livery Sign

I am truly on a creative high at the moment.  I am suddenly bombarded with inspiration for things that have been sitting around, neglected in my basement or office for months.  Today, I paired a yard sale feed sack with a thrift store lamp, paint, a “scratch-and-dent” shade from Target, and a scrap from a cheap white Wal-Mart sheet to make this lamp.
It was a very organic process that just flowed as I worked and this is how it ended up.
The lamp was shiny, dated brass, but it is heavy and has a pretty shape.  I painted it in Aria Ivory by Sherwin Williams from a tester pot I had hanging around.  I then glazed it with Asphaltum Antiquing glaze by Valspar.
I love how it looks almost like stone or weathered wood.
I sort of made up the shade slipcover as I went along, but I did take pictures and will write a full tutorial on this process.  It was really very easy and a simple way to freshen a tired shade.
 I love how the texture of the burlap shade glows through when the light is on and the crisp white ruffle in contrast against the stained feed sack.
I also painted this Livery Stables sign on a chippy cabinet door insert.  I am loving these old signs and have even more to share over the next few days.  I’m also looking forward to slowing down and writing some tutorials on all of the things I have been creating over the past couple of weeks.  I have less than two weeks until The Old Lucketts Fair, so there’s no time to slow down, now!
Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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46 Responses

  8. love that shade and the lamp do over is fantastic….i think you will come home from Lucketts with nothing!! i took a small lampshade and wrapped it in jute and is my favorite shade in the house.

  9. love that shade and the lamp do over is fantastic….i think you will come home from Lucketts with nothing!! i took a small lampshade and wrapped it in jute and is my favorite shade in the house.

  12. Oh my Miss Mustard Seed!! I found your blog yesterday and I cannot express how much you have inspired me since then!! I'm 22 and have been working and planning my one woman show since about January on and off. I spent some time yesterday just going through your post reading your stories learning about your start up. I would love to pick your brain as I believe we just might be soul sisters! BTW I live about 3 hours south of Lucketts in a little town of 300, Ivor, VA. can't wait for your next post.

    Sarahlynn

  13. The lamp and shade turned out awesome.
    Thank you for all your tutorials it is very generous of you to help us who don't know what paint to use and so on.

  16. I can't believe that was a brass lamp! It looks like porcelain What a testament to your awesome painting skills! Nice makeover! I have some brass lamps waiting in line for a makeover. I was going to use ORB but now you got me thinking. Decisions, decisions…

  21. The lamp turned out fabulous. I love it. The shade is absolutely stunning and so perfect for the lamp. What a fabulous idea. Love the sign too. Great work and I can't wait to see the tutorials. Hugs, Marty

  23. This is SO impressive! The Lamp base looks like one of the reeeeeeally expensive lamps at my favorite store in downtown Franklin, TN! (The Iron Gate)….absolutely amazing! I can't wait to try it!

    thanks!
    k

  24. Great idea…great photography too!! I really like antlers and found objects like that mixed in with decor – fantastic font you used for the door…looks like it came off of an old estate!!

    xo+blessings,
    Anne Marie

  27. First off, I thought the 'dent' shade term you used was hilarious!

    I love the tester pots of paint and they are such a bargain to have around waiting for that little project. I am totally in LOVE with the stable sign… your projects really speak to me!!

  29. I do like the burlap shade cover!! I really like what you did with the lamp. I think I will try that with one I have for the living room.

    Keep up the hard work! You don't have that much longer to go!

  30. I love the foot of the lamp. Continue this way with your creativity, you are helping mine!
    I love the idea of a sign. And this font is perfect for the stable.
    Thank you

  33. I love your lamp and the shade you made. The white ruffle adds such a nice little bit of whimsy to it. Really nice, Marian! I look forward to your tutorial.

  40. You are indeed SMOKIN'! I'm so inspired I feel jittery. Maybe I should stay offline until school's back in. Nah… I can handle it. Smelling like coconut sunscreen while reading isn't a bad thing. 🙂

    Seriously, that lampshade is killer. LOVE that idea! I also commend you on building your entire line. Most would purchase and resell. You're crafting it all! Oh my gosh…

    You will be so successful!

    Donna

  41. Did someone say that was a brass lamp? Wow! Well done!
    I need your ambition….I'm reaching for the panic button here…our sale is less than one month away!

  42. wow, you weren't kidding when you said you were on a creative high. The lamp turned out really cool. I saw a similiar lamp base at our local goodwill, but didn't pick it up. I should of. It was only $4.50. You can't beat that for a new lamp, right?
    looking forward to the turorials. You are sweet to share your process.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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