I watched reruns of I Dream of Jeannie when I was a kid. It wasn’t one of my favorites, but I thought Barbara Eden was so pretty. And while Larry Hagman will always always always be J.R. Ewing in my mind, he was still pretty great in I Dream of Jeannie.
Well over a year ago, I found a lamp that screamed “I Dream of Jeannie” at a yard sale.
It was $2.
It came home with me.
And as most things do around here, it sat for a while until I had a great idea for it.
And finally I did.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this image where I asked YOU to tell me what to do with the lamp…
Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Velvet Finishes. However, all opinions and love of bright and cheery color schemes are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
You guys were just full of ideas.
So many ideas that I was even more confused as to what to do to the lamp.
Some of you even said to leave it as is, but that wasn’t an option – there were lots of chips in the finish and you know me – I needed some color.
As I was pouring over my paint swatches stressing over what to do, the part-time child, Will, who insists on being called Bill on the blog (I know – I have no idea why either) walked over, played with the paint swatch for a while and said let’s do these colors…
I looked at the colors and wondered how in the hell a 17 year old boy could come up with that great color combination in under five minutes.
So we started painting.
To do this lamp makeover, we used:
- Paintbrushes of various sizes
After sitting in my craft room for a year, this lamp was pretty dirty. So, to start with, we cleaned it up really well with Ready, which also primes pieces at the same time.
I just sprayed the Ready onto a paper towel and wiped the lamp down. You can also spray it directly onto a piece, let it sit, then wipe it down.
I gave the lamp a little while to dry and then started painting.
With all the nooks, crannies, and designs going on with this lamp, we used a variety of paint brush sizes. And I won’t lie, since we were using three different colors, it took a while to finish this lamp. I worked on it on and off for 30 minutes or so each day over the course of about five days. First, I painted all spots I wanted Bold, then I went back and painted the spots I wanted Exotic, and finally finished it off by painting some of the small details Minimalistic.
It wasn’t as hard as it looks to paint all the trim and details. When you use a small paintbrush, its actually pretty easy. I did have baby wipes on hand to quickly wipe up any paint if it got where it wasn’t supposed to be.
I haven’t decided where I will put it just yet, but I’m thinking its the perfect color scheme for an outdoor living space – maybe the porch?
It also seems very Lilly Pulitizer-ish to me, which I won’t even get started on that whole Target fiasco.
What do you think about this bold color scheme?
Need more lamp makeover ideas?
Don’t miss these 16 lamp ideas and makeovers – they are so good.
Find out how to make a lamp out of a bottle here.
And see how easy it is to make your own gorgeous agate slice lamp finials here.
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Lindsay says
Oh, you have so given me an idea for the lamps I see at Savers! Great lines, awful colors…but now I’m inspired to give them a new look! Thanks!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Awesome, Lindsay!
Amy C says
I LOVE the colors!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks so much, Amy!
Pat says
Love it! Of course, you needed color! Great job with the entire paint job. I haven’t used the velvet finishes paint…the colors are beautiful!
xo
Pat
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Pat!! Gotta have me some color!
Nancy K. says
Jenna, this is amazing. Part of me wanted you to conserve the original colors, and then, BAM! You knocked my socks off. Fun and fabulous!
Please, please, PLEASE do get started on that whole Lilly-Target fiasco. I could use a laugh and you are awesome at comedy.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
hahahahaha, Nancy!! Actually, I’m mentioned the Lilly-Target in tomorrow’s Freak Show Friday. 😉 The whole thing was just ridiculous!! I wanted a few things, but that didn’t happen and I’m not willing to pay double or triple the price on Ebay!! Get real, people!
I’m glad you like the lamp! There were a few people who said keep it as is, but I just couldn’t do it!
Lindsay says
Love it! Good choice, Will!
And it’s SO Lilly-ish.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Lindsay! He did a great job on color selection!
mary says
You did a fabulous paint job – love it as it is, but easy to change to any other color scheme later. You are always inspiring. Thanks
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks so much, Mary!
mary ballerin says
Love your bright colors but I’m so into MCM this lamp would have looked great in my LR as is, wish I could have traded you. 😉 I have brown/navy/green/tan/burnt orange and brass going on right now. I want some turquoise or medium blue glass items and a few tall glass vases like my mom used to own. Everything comes back in style, and TY to Mad Men for inspiration! I have a bunch of original MCM lamps, I’d love to share their photos. The tall ones with original shades. Some I will use as is, some I’ll sell or trade, but I am using a burnt orange/teak with splatter?ware (I have to research the correct term) on my Lane MCM end table right now, it looks awesome with an old orange ashtray. I painted a green stamps purchased vinyl bench that came out beautifully, I just need to find the right tray to put on top of it. Where do you find the best lamp shade deals, Jenna? TY!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Those lamps sound awesome, Mary!! Ahhh, lamp shades – it can be so hard to find the perfect lampshade! Often times, I end up at Target. They have a good selection of plain white ones that will go with just about anything. Sometimes, I make my own shades with a DIY lampshade kit. If you search “how to make a lampshade” on my site, there is a post on it. And then sometimes, I pick up shades with good lines and shape at thrift stores and recover them. Hope that helps!
mary ballerin says
Thanks, Jenna. I have an, eek, blue vinyl lampshade that someone gave me. I figured I could use the form to make a shade. Right now I want to make a multitude of white drum shades to hide all of the builder-grade boob lamps on my ceilings. 😉 Those sure went out of style quickly and are the brunt of many jokes. I need to go to Target more often but there is some ugly construction in the area. Any advice on cleaning older shades without doing damage? Thanks again. =D
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
That’s a tough one, Mary! I would just try wiping it gently with a wet cloth.
Cheri says
Jenna
That lamp is AWESOME! I LOVE it. Mr Will is one sharp designer to be.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Cheri! I know – he did a pretty great job!
Pamela Smith says
I see so many ugly lamps at the thrift stores and always wonder what to do with them. This is a great idea! Love the bright colors! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Pamela!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Totally great! Makes me want to stop at a yard sale this weekend. Getting more into vintage-y things as I quickly approach 40! Visiting from The Creative Collection.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Victoria!!