Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A Light Touch

I love the look of double lamps. However, one lamp can cost as much as I spend on a week's worth of groceries. To buy a twin lamp would mean my family would be without food for half the month, which isn't a pretty sight when you have growing young men in your house.
The only answer is to hunt for twin lamps at thrift stores. And while I'm hunting for lamps, I keep my eye out for twin lampshades too. If you're a seasoned thrift shopper, you know that when you're looking for something so specific, it takes time and patience. But it can be done! Here's the proof.
Remember to look past the obvious and look at the potential. You know by now that a little spray paint can work wonders, so notice the shape, not the color. Also when buying lamps, it's good to look at the wiring. Lamps can be re-wired if they're old, but it adds to the cost. Fortunately, the blues ones were brand new, with the tags still attached, and the pine ones were next to new.
With a little spray paint they look like this.Add the shades, one set purchased at the thrift store and the other set on clearance, and I have two sets of lamps for about twenty-five dollars.Where did I put them?
One set went in the dining room,
because I moved those lamps to the family room.
After building the new sofa table,
I had enough room for two lamps.
I moved the old sofa table to the stair landing.The other set of lamps will be finding a home soon.

52 comments:

Kasey said...

Where did you get your trees in the last picture. I'm trying to find some that don't cost a fortune. I have some empty spaces that need filling. Good job on the lamps.

Salmagundi said...

My eye is not tuned into pairs of lamps,but it will be now!! Yours look great. Sally

Gone said...

I've done this ALOT...although I don't usually do PAIRS of matching lamps!

Yours look great!!

the undomesticated wife said...

Great finds. Our thrift stores NEVER have nice lamps, or even lamps with potential. They are all ugly little pink and purple ceramic ginger jar lamps, or gawdy 1960s lamps.

Yours turned out nice

Michelle said...

they look great...I'm fixing to do the same thing at the beach to try and save a little money...spray paint fixes everything!

Darlene said...

I do LOVE lamps...yours turned out great!! Love where you have all of them.

Unknown said...

Hi there Joy, you are so amazing. When do you sleep? Or have you found some sort of supplement that holds you throughout the day? :-) Take care

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Joy this looks GREAT! Don't you love that black spray paint? It is indeed our friend! Love how you put the lamps together and what you did with them after they were done!
Beautiful! In a JOYful sort of way!
Blessings,
Debbie

Letti said...

They turned out beautiful. I never have good luck when it comes to finding lamps.

Christina said...

Great finds. Love the shape of both sets of lamps.

They look great.

the author said...

Nice!! How funny, I was just telling WhiteBoy that our living room needs more lighting!

Jolene said...

I love your blog - I am constantly trying to replicate projects like yours. I am de-lurking because I think it is funny that you have a sign on your stair landing that says FALL.

Missy Wertz said...

Very nice! I love buying pairs. Sometimes, if I cannot find a pair, I will pass it up. Seeing all the spray paint projects is opening up another world for me...

Runner Mom said...

Very cool! I STILL am wanting to know what thrift store you go to!!!Please share!! Thanks!!

Mimi Sue said...

I have some of those at my DI. Brand new.They had a bunch of them. I almost bought a pair last week. They were like $3.00 each. You've talked me into going back for them. Yours look fabulous. Mimi

Shannon said...

Love the lamps!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

You did a BEAUTIFUL job!! I LOVE craft projects like this!!!!

Gina said...

Gahh! You are so creative. You rock!

Kacey said...

Cool! I am looking for new lamps for the bedroom and every one I love is SO expensive! I found a new thrift store in town though and I am excited to check it out! I'll let you know if I turn up any treasures.

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

Awe, the joys of spray paint! It is a frugal person's best friend! Your lamps look great!

Holly said...

Very nice! I have a pair of lamps that I got at a garage sale for $1 for the pair, 10 years ago! They have been painted, and need to be repainted, but they still work, which is more than I can say for some of my more expensive lamp purchases.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Girl, you rock! I agree, finding a matching set of lamps at the thrift store can definitely be done...just takes patience. But it is so worth it to snap them up when you find them!
Carrie

Anonymous said...

You are so good!

Sarah Kate said...

Great finds. I am also on the quest for matching lamps, you have given me hope!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I am a firm believer in spray paint! The lamps look wonderful!

Shell in your Pocket said...

So cute...you are amazing! I love the picture on your header..so beautiful!
-sandy toes

Coco said...

So Adorable

Chris said...

Do you ever stop? Do you dream about your next project? Do you even sleep? GoodNESS! I love the lamps. Love them, love them!

Unknown said...

Joy,
The lamps look great! I tend to forget about spray paint when looking at lamps!

Thanks for the reminder!

Tardevil said...

They turned out well...you should be proud.

Our Complete Family said...

I love the symetry in your home. It is so lovely! The lamps turned out GREAT!
~ Les

Anonymous said...

Oh what a bit of paint can do... you are awesome~

Unknown said...

Great tips!!! (again)
♥Jen

Adventure girl said...

I love everything! I really love twin lamps. I need to go to auctions and find this kind of stuff.

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

What great transformations. These look great! I have an award for you on my blog--one you maybe have received before, but you get another one. You can line them up on your mantle Ü.

cherry said...

Very pretty and very thrifty...and very very crafty. cherry

Patricia said...

I am addicted to black spray paint thanks to Joy! LOL

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

I am somewhat obsessed with lamps. I rarely use overhead lighting...it's so garish and unflattering. And I too, am always on the hunt for thrifty finds! Those lamps turned out great...love me some spray paint!

Unknown said...

Wow, what great finds. And what paint and a cute shade can do. Looks great. mishelle

abeachcottage said...

oh my! now I wouldn't have thought anyone needed to convince me of the power of paint, but that really, really is fabulous, now I'm on the lookout for pairs baby pairs!

Sarah

Meghan said...

Sista, you totally rock!
Will you please move to Jersey & be my new bff???

Nina said...

Oh my gosh! You are awesome!! I love your blog! I'm getting out the spray paint today...

Nina said...

Oh my gosh! You are awesome!! I love your blog! I'm getting out the spray paint today...

Cathy said...

You inspire!

Wendy said...

Love them!

Anonymous said...

I'm the same way.. I always try to look for pairs of lamps. I have two sitting in my garage right now, they are UGLY- but they will get a spray paint job soon~ I'm just on the lookout for some shades!! Great job!

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

I always look for lamps while thrifting and I have gotten a few but those are fantastic. Great score!

Unknown said...

I need tables for my house. I have none to put cool little items on. You're amazing
Take Care

MiMI said...

What a neat idea with the leaf between the plates. I have the Lenox Butler's Pantry plates and a clear plate. Love it!

Rachel said...

Love it, Joy! You're thrift shops are ten times better than mine, you're such a lucky (and talented) girl!
~Rachel

Katie said...

I love it. I did write a post about being electrocuted by one of those old lamps so be careful because sometime the wiring is old and needs re wired. Katie

Andrea Brian said...

I have been following your blog and just LOVE IT!! You share so many wonderful ideas for a small budget. I love the lamps! I am shopping for some myself. I hit the Goodwill every week to see what I can find, I wish I had the thrift storee you have! Everything is just beautiful.

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