I dug this lamp out of my grandparent’s attic and something about the shape of it kept me from throwing it in the dumpster. It also still worked, so I thought it was worth hauling home.
The finish was dull and looked dirty and dated. Paint was the easiest and best way to remedy those issues and some silver leaf on the inside of the metal shade added a little shine and femininity.
Here’s the funny thing about this lamp…it has an ashtray in the base! It even smelled like an ashtray before I washed and painted it. Can you imagine…sitting at your desk, getting some work done, the phone rings…ah! Where am I going to put my cigarette? Ah, yes, in my lamp! How handy!
What a different era. (I don’t smoke, by the way.)
So, I painted one coat of a smokey blue/grey oops color glazed with Asphaltum Antique Glaze by Valspar. I added silver leafing to the interior to reflect the light and make this utilitarian lamp and little fancier. Give it some “jewelry”, if you will.
I think the base would be a great place to stash paper clips and a couple of pens.
In addition to the lamp, I’m bringing this hand painted bucket with chalkboard tag and silver sugar cup topiary along to Lucketts.
And a little bit of dining room news. My sorrow over an empty dining room was turned to joy when I found this set today! I am not one to waste time when it comes to a furniture need. My very sweet and tolerant hubby is going to pick it up for me on Tuesday and I’m already excited about getting to work on it.
Woo-wee…just look at those legs.
This is confirmation that I did the right thing in selling it and I can always find something else.
Five days ’til Lucketts!
The lamp is fab! Funny how back in the day everyone smoked and ashtrays were just everyday items. I love the new table and chairs. Can't wait to see what you do with them.
The lamp is cute… I gasped when you said you thought about throwing it away!
I thought the ashtray part was for paperclips…. lol
I absolutely love the color of the lamp!
That dining set has great bones!
Look at those chairs…they will be beautiful "Mustardized"!!! The lamp is pretty cute and smoking is so disgusting isn't it!!!
You have some great things for Luckett's. And I love your new table. It looks like it will be just perfect. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Love & blessings from NC!
more great projects to add to your "line." Love it.
Can't wait to see how you make over the dining room set.
Can't wait to see what you do with this one.
Great finds…both the lamp and the dining set! I was sad to see that you sold your other set as it was so perfect, but I can tell that this next one will be just as gorgeous!
Yay! You found a new table & chairs. I can't wait to see what you do to them! And seeings how you are so stinkin' lucky at finding the things you are looking for, how about adding a chippy wrought iron bed frame and old farm table with a worn, wide plank top. 🙂 I'll swing by Gettysburg and pick that up. Seriously.
Jami
Cannot wait to see that table and chairs when it's been transformed!
Exciting!!
Oh and just a little shout out to all the good men who move, haul in, haul out, pick up and deliver all the great stuff we find. Thanks guys!!
Table is beautiful…can't wait to see what you do with it! Love the lamp…I will be surprised if you come home with anything, but a pocket full of cash and some new customers! It will all sell!!! I finally got my post done on 'Outdoor Art.' The oars reminded me of the one you did. I gave a shout for those folks wanting to learn how to refinish their own furniture, to check your site. I feel rather inadequate in the wonderful world of blog land! I have an eye for beautiful things, but not so much the talent! I am so inspired by all that you are doing! My friend and I are opening a little booth at a shop that rents the space! We are so excited and I can't wait to get busy on some projects when the kids start school! Come see the great outdoor art that I found athttp://threepixielane.blogspot.com/2010/08/outdoor-wall-art.html.
Good luck as you near the finish line…or maybe the start line!!!
Very nice! Maybe you can keep other things where the ashtray is, like small office items, like tacks or paperclips.
Love the color of the lamp and your little brushes bucket. Ash trays sure were the thing way back… That dining room set will be gorgeous once you do your thing to it! That was find meant to be! Have a great week.
I am glad yuo didn't trow away that lamp, it is lovely.
I'm pretty sure that this wasn't meant to be an ashtray. I think this was to hold paperclips and pens.
I have one just like yours and I love it!
Some of the vintage stores sells these for about $195
Loving the lamp…the patina you chose is perfect!! And that new dining room set…wow! Can't wait to see how you alter it! It is going to be spectacular!!
Hugs
SueAnn
As soon as I saw the lamp I was thinking paper clips and pencils too! Glad to see you found another dining room set. Looking forward to seeing it all fixed up and in its new home.
Great Marian! Glad you found this new dining set(or did it find you? Who wouldn't love for you to make them over?) Anyhow, I must be weird, because I liked the before on the lamp too(minus smoke smell). Great transformation though!
the lamp now looks like a pen and paper clip holder – and boy did you find a new dining set fast!!
Love the ashtray lamp! What we think of in time of necessity!! 🙂 You made it look adorable!! I can't wait to see your new dining room set!!!
I found a lamp almost exactly like that at a garage sale. Will you please inform my husband that it is not crazy to paint something ugly?
The lamp is so cute now. I did an internal gasp when I read your dining room furniture is gone, so I had to go look for the previous post to find the story. Wow, here we go again. Your new settee looks absolutely fabulous, too.
If I lived even remotely close to you I would be there in a second. But I have no idea what I would buy as I love everything in "your line". Good luck to you. On my post today I totally copied one of your ideas (but I did give you all the credit!)
http://abigstory.blogspot.com/2010/08/checkered-past.html
Lori L
yes I remember well the era of "anything makes a good ashtray". What always puzzled me was who would want to crawl behind the desk all the time to uplug so they could empty the thing??
I wish I wish I could make it but alas, I need to study. I hope you sell out and maybe next time I'll be able to make the journey.
Thanks for another great eye candy post!
oh and I wanted to say nice accoutrements to producing a great blog. TV remote, who knew.
Love the new dining set, and also the lamp. It's very cool!
Man! The more you mention this Lucketts thing the more I want to go! To bad it's so far away, sounds like it's going to be a blast, good luck and have fun 🙂
That lamp sure turned out cute. I have been watching in awe all of the things you are creating for Lucket's and for your own line. Wow, you have been busy, it is amazing the speed in which you are able to churn up those perfect projects.
I so wish I could be there at your sale, I would clear you out!!
The lamp looks fabulous! Isn't it amazing how everyone smoked back in the day and it was just accepted. I so hope this new dining set looks half as gorgeous as the other one 'cause I loved it! 🙂 You do amazing work so can't wait to see what you come up with.
haha how appropriate to paint it a "smokey" blue/grey! it was a very different time back then huh! smoking was ok anywhere and everywhere! i watch a lot of old movies and they are always smoking!! at school on an airplane! ha so funny! i love it! I mean not the smoking (i hate smoking!!) but how different things are nowadays!
i was coming over to ask if you were bringing any buckets to lucketts (HAHA RHYME!!!) So funny when I want to know, you are actually posting about it! Pah! I want that bucket and taggy too =)
Nice table and chairs!! I love the legs and the backs of the chairs! Are you keeping that amazing seat color? hahaha =) oh the times are a changing =)
did you get all that? these little boxes make me feel like i am rambling!!
** these little comment boxes ** if you didn't get that! ITS LATE leave me alone =)
xoxo
Love how your lamp turned out….and I can't wait to see your new table/chairs transformation!!
Too Funny! I almost called about the same dining set but we just bought one a few months ago and I knew my husband wouldn't even entertain it. I can't wait to see what you do with it. It has you all over it and it was an amazing price!!!
Heather
I'm sure the "ashtray" was meant for paper clips, too. Although someone might have used it as an ashtray. I have a similar lamp, but with a plain base. You've inspired me to paint it.
What an exciting find! Those seats are so easy to recover. I'm guessing some paint and great fabric and you've got yourself an amazing Dining Room!
Do you have written instructions for the slipcover on the French prov. sofa? Would love to have them if available. I have a f.p. sofa and I want to make a slipcover like yours. Thanks.