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?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Sue]

Fabulous - so simple yet so clever and what a transformation!!

Sue

[july]

Fabulous Sweetie! I want one!!

[RachelM]

What a lovely way to upcycle something! It's beautiful!

[All8]

How lovely! It reminds me of a little lady twirling in her beautiful girly skirt on a bright summer day. The others are right, it suits you and your sunny style to a T. Bravo.

[Mamalion]

Oooh, I want one!

[Anna]

Que bonita !!!!!!!!
BOnderful!!!!

[Heather]

That's such an improvement, well done!

[Alex Mason]

Thats fantastic! i love it!! xx

[Edwina]

It's very beautiful - well done !

[Janie]

Hey Lucie - lamp looks great, wasn't sure from the first photo if it was gonna work out well but it did!

Can I ask what glue you used to stick the decopatch to the lamp? Is it fire retardent?

[Kim]

Fantabulous! What a great redo! I love it! Love it! LOVE IT! You did a great job.

[Mihaela]

It is a very precious lamp, now.It's unique. Like you, dear Lucy!

[French Knots]

That looks fab, what a super idea! I wonder if I could decopatch my boring coloured car......!?

[Lucille]

It's like a lovely flouncy skirt.

[Sulwyn]

The makeover is quite lovely and cheery!

[Maggie]

fun, like a twirly summery skirt

[Shelley in SC]

Perfect, perfect, perfect for this happy, colorful, smiling room!! It looks splendid, and, as usual, the colors/patterns go so well together! Another project well done : )!

[Emma - Dotty Mays]

WOW! That's fantastic. The colours are so you ... like a crocheted shade! Makes me want to go hunting for a horrid lamp shade now!!!

Have a Happy Colourful Christmas under your new shade x Emma x

ps so good to have you back in blog land - I missed you soooo much x

[Jen]

Lucy, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your world with me. I am a homeschooling mom of five kids. Sometimes the hectic and crazy world of my kids overwhelms me. You always brighten my day. I love your words, your glimpses of life, and your talent. Whenever, I am down your pictures and projects cheer me up or inspire me. Thank you. I found your site this summer when teaching my kids how to crochet. You make it so easy for us all. Thank you. LOVE THE LAMPSHADE. Hope you get out of mount clutter. I always do but it seems to be a magic mountain that keeps popping back up.-Jen

[Freja]

My jaw dropped! It. Is. SO. BEAUTIFUL. I want one too! Congratulations!! I'm in love with it too. As I am most of your creations. Your blog is my favorite out of the many I visit. I love your writing style and photos too.

[Angie]

Great idea....well done!

[Rachel]

That is a work of ART! What a great job you did. It really does look like stained glass when it's lit up. I love how colourful your house is!

[susan]

oh this is wonderful! i love how it looks with the light shining through. you rock :)

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

You have really out done yourself on this one. It's perfect for the Attic24 and full of love. I still don't know where you are finding the time right now to craft. AMAZING....

I have a fun post just up. Head to the beach with me.

Cheers -

Kate - The Garden Bell

[Isadora]

Your lampshade is gorgeous!

I've made some snowflakes from your tutorial, you can see them on my blog http://doraquevedo.blogspot.com/2009/12/let-it-snow.html
Unfortunately I don't have a flickr profile so I can't send them to your album...
Many thanks for your tutorial and for sharing with us the beautiful things you make!