Caxton magazines staffA lick of paint and some pretty ribbon braid were all it took to turn this old wooden lamp into a focal point
What you’ll need:
- Sandpaper
- Universal undercoat
- A paint brush
- Spray paint in the colour of your choice
- Plain and patterned ribbon braid – the amount you need will depend on the size of your lamp shade
- Fabric glue
How to upcycle your lamp:
- Sand the wooden lamp base lightly. Wipe off any dust with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
- Apply a coat of universal undercoat using a paint brush. Allow it to dry completely.
- Spray-paint the base. Spray successive light coats of paint until the base is completely covered; if the coats are too thick, the paint will form drips.
- Dust the shade or vacuum it with a hand vacuum to remove dust and dirt.
- Attach one end of the plain ribbon braid to the top of the inside of the shade with a pin. Pull it down over the shade and cut the braid so there is just enough to turn it under the bottom of the shade. Repeat this until you’ve covered the shade making sure the braid is evenly spaced. When you’re happy with the spacing, glue each strip top and bottom with fabric glue to keep them in place.
- Carefully weave a piece of patterned ribbon braid horizontally over and under the vertical stripes of plain braid near the top of the shade. Secure it in place with fabric glue.
- Do the same a centimetre or so down the shade and secure with fabric glue.
- Once the glue and paint are dry, reassemble your lamp.
