A Lamp & a Livery Sign

by | Aug 17, 2010 | Painted Signs | 46 comments

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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

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    46 Comments

    1. Marsha's Mpressions

      Love this! Your shade is so cute. Good job!

    2. Our really empty nest

      Miss Mustard Seed, you are one talented little lady!! I absolutely love that shade and lamp renovation, so clever! And the sign is adorable! Great Job, Sue

    3. Empty Nest Full Life

      What beautiful things, I wish I could bring you to my house for a while. Jackie

    4. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      i love lamp. hopefully you have seen anchorman and get my reference. either way, i really do love that lamp- the shade is awesome!

    5. Tonia

      I'm with Empty Nest, I wish I could get you to coome here to finish up a few projects. I like that lamp!

    6. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style

      That lamp and the shade look fantastic. I love them. Love the chippy sign, too. You are just so good.

    7. Erin

      That lamp is Rockin!!! I love that and your sign is terrific. You go girl!!

    8. ChRiS

      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. ChRiS

      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.

    10. Simply LKJ

      Love the lamp, and the shade is gorgeous, very unique!

    11. Honorablyfallen

      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

    12. katie

      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.

    13. Carrie

      I love it! What a great idea. I wish you could rub my arm so a little of that inspiration bug might rub off on me!

    14. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot

      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…

    15. Janell @ Isabella and Max

      Look at you! Or the lamp…fabulous!! The sack for the shade and the texture and the base just work beautifully together. Janell

    16. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas

      LOVE that shade! The textures! It is just awesome! And the sign? There are no words….I.love.it!!

      You are amazing…

      Lou Cinda 🙂

    17. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal

      This looks fabulous. This is what I could do to the xlg plain shade I had to order for my floor lamp. Love it. The base has a lot of great little details on it too.

    18. Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.

      So happy for you that you are feeling so vibrantly creative – that's wonderful! Love the lamp!

      XO
      Lenore

    19. marty (A Stroll Thru Life)

      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

    20. Debra @ Common Ground

      Both are just wonderful, I'm looking forward to your tutorials!
      xo,
      Debra

    21. Kate at Dream To Life

      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

    22. Anne Marie

      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

    23. Elizabeth and Gary

      Wow! your lamp looks great! I want one! Very creative..
      Have a sweet day, hugs~Elizabeth

    24. Cindy

      I love that lamp and shade! I look forward to seeing your tutorial on how to make the shade.

    25. AntiqueChase

      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!!

    26. Angela

      You really are on a roll!! The lamp and the sign are just wonderful!

    27. Bonnie@Creative Decorating

      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!

    28. Marie-Andrée

      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

    29. Confessions of a Plate Addict

      Ooooh! I love the lamp and shade! Thanks for the painting tips! I hope you are having a great week!…hugs…Debbie

    30. Teri

      It's fantastic! Looking forward to the tutorial!

    31. Allison

      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.

    32. Michelle Wilkes

      wow! You are amazing! I am really looking forward to the tutorials!!!

    33. decor4poor@blogspot.com

      Wow I love that shade, so cute. Great job! I love the antlers too!

    34. mitziscollectibles

      "Creative high" is an understatement! I'm marveling at your ingenuity and ability to complete so many projects in the same 24 hour day that we all have!

    35. Funky Junk Interiors

      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

    36. Cassie

      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!

    37. Cheryl

      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.

    38. All That Glitters

      i'm in love!!!! That's money there!

    39. SueAnn

      Love the lamp and the sign!! Fabulous!!!!!!
      Hugs
      SueAnn

    40. Ness Lockyer

      What a wonderful idea…looks great!!
      Ness xx

    41. Lindy

      I love, love, love all of your stuff. The livery stable sign and it's patina are great!

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