how to paint a gold lamp base
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I bought this lamp at a yard sale for $2.00 over the summer. IF you own a lamp like this I apologize for insulting your lamp, but I think it is really ugly. I’ve never been a fan of gold.
How to paint a gold lamp base
Here she is ready for her makeover, as I show you how to paint a gold lamp base.
Protect the lamp socket and wiring when painting
I covered the socket with a plastic bag.
I also put the cord in a baggie—hindsight, I should have painted it too! 
This is after one coat of primer. Using my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer makes all of my painting jobs go so much quicker!
Crisp White Linen by Glidden.
Don’t forget to paint the small finial on the lamp
I stuck the cute little finial on a twig to paint it.
It already looks a LOT better, don’t you think? (except for the gold cord) I used my Homeright paint sprayer making this a very quick and easy makeover. (You can get the same look with some spray paint if you don’t own a paint sprayer)
Glazing (antiquing) a white lamp
I glazed it with some Jacobean stain, applying it then wiping it off. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to take a picture with your left hand while holding the camera with a rag because you have stain all over your hands?
Don’ you LOVE fall? Look at all those leaves!
This lamp didn’t have a shade. This is a shade I had laying around the garage. I have NO clue what type of shade this is, or what type of shade would look good on this lamp.
I’m open to suggestions about the shade.
What style/color of shade would you recommend? Do you think I improved the lamp? Or would you have left it gold? Perhaps you would have painted it a different color? In any case, don’t pass up an ugly $2 lamp!
UPDATE:
This is the current shade on the lamp. did you can see the tutorial for the repurposed fence sign, I Love You A Bushel and a Peck?
gail
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OH yes, the gold had to go. I love it’s new look. It is screaming for something a little less shiny on the shade. It is a bell shade you have on there, if you aren’t afraid of spraying it, I would try and spray paint the shade and then do the writing on it. Or cover it with fabric that has writing on it, or burlap. Or just go thrifting or shopping for a new one that is less belled. Great job Gail! Oh and I love the info Layn gave you, great tips from Ballard
Love this lamp make over – AND the price – wow!
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I definitely think the new color is better! I’m not sure about the shade, I think it’s the color of it that doesn’t seem quite right. Try putting a fabric scrap or even a shirt over it to give you and idea on what color might look better. You could paint the shade!
It looks so much prettier. Wonderful transformation!
Dee
Wow, its amazing what a coat of paint can do. I thought about you today when I was at the good will and see this awesome table, and it had a sold sign on it, Jeez!.
Sharon
That look 100 times better! The gold was just way too gold! I kind of like the shade you have on it.
Beautiful finish Gail.
That lamp needed your rescue in a big way! I was liking the white but the stain made all the detail pop.
I have no “shade”advice. I usually just take the lamp with me to the store and start trying on shades, like dresses until one speaks to me.
Great ‘ugly’ lamp!
Not so ugly now…
I think the shade is a little under dressed…
Maybe a Simple/Basic Black Dress would look good? Not sure of the rest of the room… not too frilly. Unless that is the style in the guest room.
good job.
Pat
I am a new follower to the blog, and I just have to say I love all of your projects!
The lamp is a DEFINITE improvement, I myself am anti-gold. I think I have successfully traded out all the ugly gold accents in our old repurposed home!
I think a dark brown shade that is close in color to your stain would really finish it off great. I think a drum type shade would work great like the others have suggested.
Great job again, you provide me with the inspiration to fix up some of my finds that need a facelift.
Bye Bye Gold, hello beautiful. You absolutely did the right thing. Looks SO much better.
According to Ballard Designs, they just had the Know your Lighting in their August catalog this year…
9 shade shortcuts:
1-round lamp base- use a drum shade
2-square or angular base use an empire shade
3-mix opposites to make a contemporary statement.
4-cant decide? go with a tapered drum
5-shade height should be 2/3 height of the lamp base
6-shade width= 2x lamp base width
7- vertical piping says traditional
8-smooth leans contemporary
9- hardware should be hidden.
The shade you have looks like a tapered bell. Ross and Marshalls usually have a good selection of shades. The other day I scored some awesome shades at Target. Walmart even had a fair selection…
Hope this helps.
BEAUTIFUL!!
I think I would have passed up that ugly gold lamp had I seen it… but seeing what you did with it… I’d grab it up next time! I am like you… I have no clue as to the lamp shade. I would simply have to take it to a store and try on several lamp shades to see what I liked best.