Lampshade Makeover :: Ta-dah!

Do you know something? Since the beginning of November, I've actually written no less than four Ta-dah type posts, which makes todays post "Ta-dah number five", isn't that something? I'd say it's been a very creative and productive time for me of late hasn't it?

So yes, a little bit of a rippy-sticky reveal for you today as I show you my recently completed decopatched lampshade. Remember when I told you all about the joys of Decopatch when I discovered it last month? And do you remember my first rippy-sticky project, the LOVE letters??

I tell you, this decopatch stuff was truly made for the likes of me, I think it's absolutely brilliant. It's such a simple craft, so childish in many ways, but the joy of decopatch, oh the complete JOY of it lies precisely in it's Simplicity and it's Childishness. The simple, childish pleasure of ripping up little bits of paper and getting all messy-fingered with glue is not to be underestimated. Well not for me at any rate.

So anyhow...lets get on with revealing this particular project :: the Horrid Lampshade Makeover.

This funny white plastic lampshade hangs low over our dining table on one of those springy wire type things which means you can alter the height of it. We use it every single day, and it was here in the house when we moved in. Over the two years that we've lived with this light, I've looked about on many occasions for a replacement shade but without success. I mean, as lampshades go, it wasn't completely hideous, but it wasn't really very nice either. It was just kind of functional and there.

The idea to give it a decopatch makeover was quite spontaneous, and to be honest I wasn't sure that it would actually work out. But as I had little sentiment for the Horrid Lampshade, I didn't feel too worried if it ended up a disaster. So off I went, full steam ahead with the rippy-sticky makeover.

I decided on a very simple design of stripes. Nothing complicated, nothing too faffy. Horizontal stripes, about 4cm deep, starting out from the top and working my way down.

I admit I had a little confidence wobble at the above point, when three stripes had been completed. I had to keep hanging the shade back up every time I came to a stop because we needed the shade in place in order to keep the light low enough (without the weight of the shade, the light bulb would spring up near to the ceiling, making the whole room seem very harshly lit and not nice for eating under).

So for a week or so, the Horrid Lampshade remained in it's half-finished state as I pondered on it's progress. Then one evening last week, I decided that it really HAD to be finished, and that it was daft to leave it half done, even if I was unsure of it. So off I went again with the rippy-sticky, working my way down to the wavy, fluted bottom edge until all of the white plastic was hidden under a mass of little coloured papery bits...............

................and it was only then, with the last stripe in place, that I decided it had possibly been a success.

That I did in fact kind of like what I had done to the Horrid Lampshade.

That

it

was

horrid

no

more.

Want to see??

ok.........you got it..........

Ta-Dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hung it in place and looked at it from every which way.

Took me a while to really get used to it, to move on from thinking it was merely an "OK" improvement.

Had to live with it a while to really fall in love with it.

But now I am.

In Love with it, that is.

In the evenings when the light's switched on, the dozens of little bits of coloured paper glow like a magical mosaic.

It really does look very Lovely indeed.

And it fits so well with this room, brings a smile, warms my heart. 

So....thats the story of how the Horrid Lampshade received the rippy-sticky treatment and was magically transformed into the Lovely Lampshade.

I do appreciate a good, happy ending to a story, don't you?

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Comments

[Kathy]

Lucy, it is absolutely beautiful and fits in with your decor so nicely! Congratulations - I don't know how you do it all. Love to check your blog every day before I go out the door for work (thankfully you are 5 hours ahead of Boston!) Happy Holidays :)

[Sharon]

Wow that is absolutely beautiful x

[Erin]

I Love it! It makes me want to use my podge for things like this in my craft room when the time comes to decorate that. Great job Lucy!!!

[CraftyCripple]

Anything that covers up white plastic has to be an improvement by definition. However this is really very lovely indeed even when NOT compared with its original state!

[jen]

I thought, from the first picture of it hanging in situ with a couple stripes, that THAT was the Ta-dah! And I thought, oh. well. It looks better but not-quite-Lucy and a bit restrained. DOH! So glad you finished it all around. I love it!

[MaryD in Texas]

That is beautiful!

[florence]

It's really beautiful! the mosaic effect when lit up is stunning!
xx

[Pamela]

Maravillosa!
Love it, Lucy!!! So colorfull!
Great Idea!

Hugs!!!

[GardenofDaisies]

Your lamp is amazing and gorgeous! I love it! When the light is on, it looks like stained glass. You are such a creative person! My 21 year old daughter needs to see your blog. A couple of years ago, she used the decopatch method to cover an entire bed-side table.

[Robbie]

Hi again Lucy, Thought I would check your blog early and you had already posted, I was soooooooooo happy! Love the end project, it looks so fantastic!!! Did you use small size squares to equal strips, looks like it with the light on! But anyway it is beautiful. Love all you create. All my best to you this day, love, Robbie

[vildkatten]

What a happy hippie lamp. :-)

[Isabelle Kessedjian]

Good idea of recycling is wonderful!

[Anne@andamento]

It's lovely, the colours are just right for you! Looks like fun too.

[Kimbles]

Well done Lucy it is beautiful, your use of colour for this project is exquisite, really makes it work - pregnancy has made you EVEN more creative!!!!!! Kim x

[Maura O., U.S.]

I love your lampshade. I think it turned out beautifully! I can't wait to order paper off the net and try this myself. Great job!!

[shell]

That looks lovely, well done xx

[Sharon]

What a lovely lampshade...it looks like stained glass when the light is on. Great project!

[Julie]

That is absolutely wonderful

[SewLindaAnn]

Your lampshade story and picture was great w/morning coffee! I was inspired by your squares and made a bright aghan for me and another bright one for a friend for Christmas. I'm working on a 3rd in warm colors for another friend and small squares to make into a bag with a fabric lining. I even put bright yellow pillows with my afghan and I love it. Thanks for the inspiration and color love!

[Annie]

That, is absolutely fabulous. You are so clever!

: )

[Petit Filoux]

Oh I love it too, it's brilliant!!!

[Claudia W]

This is such a happy place to come in the mornings to enjoy my coffee with! Your shade has been turned into a beauty, that is for sure!
Your whole house must be fun and comfortable to be in!

[Louise]

Fantastic! I absolutely love it. Well done.

[Vicki]

What a perfect finale it is! Very pretty, looks so "at home" there...perfectly perfect!
~Vicki

[corinna]

perfect
what a wonderful idea and craftsmanship!