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Honored Contributor
Posts: 54,410
Registered: ‎03-29-2012

Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

If you've seen my other posts about my ugly office, you know that my "challenge" school is outdated and we have a nonexistent budget for decor.  I have found several decor items from shopgoodwill.com and used them to revamp our office.

 

This summer, I also ordered this lamp.  It arrived while I was away, so today is the first day I'm thinking about what to do with it.  

 

 

 

I'm curious to see what you would do to modernize a lamp with good bones.

 

I purchased the lamp because it looked sturdy and some of you know that I like fish (as well as turtles and cats).  This lamp will either go in our staff office, or in a classroom if I get my own.  It can't be so expensive that I would be devastated if something happened to it.  

 

 

Here is the caveat:

 

I have already started on what I plan to do, and I'm about halfway finished.  I don't want people to feel disappointed that I didn't take their suggestions when I post the reveal pictures.Cat Happy  I am curious to see your decorating ideas. 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,294
Registered: ‎11-03-2018

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

Is that base metal or glass?

 

First thing I would do is pitch that ugly lampshade.  LOL

 

I'm sure you're putting some color on the base.  I can't wait to see what it looks like when you're finished.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,478
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

[ Edited ]

I would change the lampshade to a taller cylinder shape in a lighter color. Maybe carefully paint the fish in a pretty color.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 54,410
Registered: ‎03-29-2012

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp


@Bri369 wrote:

Is that base metal or glass?

 

First thing I would do is pitch that ugly lampshade.  LOL

 

I'm sure you're putting some color on the base.  I can't wait to see what it looks like when you're finished.


@Bri369 

It's metal.  Brassy faux gold.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,294
Registered: ‎11-03-2018

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp


@lolakimono wrote:

@Bri369 wrote:

Is that base metal or glass?

 

First thing I would do is pitch that ugly lampshade.  LOL

 

I'm sure you're putting some color on the base.  I can't wait to see what it looks like when you're finished.


@Bri369 

It's metal.  Brassy faux gold.


So many possibilities. 

 

You can glue shells on it and paint each fish a different color. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,415
Registered: ‎11-25-2011

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

It almost has a mid-century feel to it.  

This would be my inspiration for your lamp update.

Marblize the entire base, including the fish, but make the

paint a little darker on them to make them stand out a little bit. 6F7DA67A-FF76-4706-AA3F-2456E78D004B.jpeg

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,038
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

[ Edited ]

You could put a crackly paint finish over the brass and give it a mercury glass look.  A silver shade of paint over the gold would make the lamp versatile.  I would get a neutral cylindrical shade that compliments the base once you have the painting/refinishing done.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,140
Registered: ‎07-01-2012

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

Maybe clean up the metal brassy faux gold and definitely change the shade. Change the shade to an entirely different shape and color to add definition to the entire lamp. It is difficult to distinguish if the design on the lamp is of a different or deeper shade than the rest of the brass.

Looking forward to seeing what you did.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,781
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

I was going to write something.......but I didn't want you to think I am mean.... di

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,775
Registered: ‎07-09-2011

Re: Good Bones Design Challenge: Ugly Lamp

@lolakimono 

 

Just trying to make use of the existing shade I would:

 

Spray paint the base using Rust-oleum ‘antique bronze’

then I would sponge paint the fish with a bit of metallic turquoise.

 

Can’t wait to see what you do.

 

 

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras