2.14.2011

Here comes the sun

I promised you pictures of my new orange lampshade, so here you go

The lamp was my Grandmas when she was little.  I really love how the orange lampshade brings an updated look to a super old lamp.


I just love how it came out and I cant believe I didn't try it sooner.  I know you all are thinking its not as easy as it looks, but it really is.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are going to try your own

1. Add 1Tsb. laundry detergent to the dye bath (the box instructions say this too
2. wet the whole lampshade before you put it in the dye bath
3. Make the dye bath as hot as you can, keeping in mind that the glue on the lampshade may come apart, but that can be fixed later.
4. Keep the lampshade moving at all times when dyeing it.  I used a large bucket and just kept a spoon moving the whole time.
5. The longer you keep it in the darker the color, I kept mine in for about 20-25 minutes.
6. When I took the lampshade out of the dye I was convinced I blew it- the glue had come apart in some areas and the fabric on the shade had stretched so it was all wrinkly. I patted it dry with an old towel, and thought to myself what can I do to make the fabric shrink back...heat!  For about a half hour I dried the lampshade with the hairdryer and the fabric shrunk right back up like magic.





I used the color Tangerine, but I cant wait to try other bright colors now!



If you try your own send me pictures!  I'd love to see them all and do a post of all the fun, colorful lampshades.

41 comments:

Southern Exposure said...

Looks great! I may have to try this!

Rachel

Kelly Krugh said...

Wow!!! Yours looks amazing! I bought the tangerine color as well for another lamp. I will have to blow dry it this time!!!

Lilacandgrey said...

its lovely!

pve design said...

I bet it must give off such a lovely glow when lit!
thanks for sharing~
pve

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

oh I love it, and actually the whole table is really fab! you made that lucite box yourself right?

bluehydrangea said...

I am so excited it turned out so well, it looks fabulous!!

alison giese Interiors said...

That's it - you're a genius! It's SO HAPPY, and I lurvs it!

Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore said...

It turned out amazing!That little gold elephant is adorable...Happy Valentine's Day! xx

Jessie said...

this turned out amazing. i really want to try this.

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Really?!? I'm amazed this worked...it is fabulous! Great thought to dry it, what on earth were you thinking about that whole time, did you watch a show or have a conversation? That is a long time to blow dry something! (But it looks like it was worth all the effort!)
Janell

courteneykay said...

I am inspired to try this myself. Great Job!

Ashley said...

So smart! I'm going to try this one out when I have some free time. Thanks for the easy-to-follow instructions!

Kate {domestikatedlife} said...

It came out so cute! It has me thinking of all of the other things I could dye... like old bridesmaid dresses?

LindsB said...

Janell, it took alot of patience thats for sure :)

LindsB said...

Helena- why yes, I did make that little lucite box :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great idea - I might have to give it a shot!

Meghan said...

WOW! It turned out great! I love it! Ps- I adore that blue bowl with the feet on the lower shelf ;)


SimplyStoked.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

holy moly, that looks great!

quintessence said...

Looks fabulous!! And goes so well with your art and other elements. Job well done!!

Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

it really did turn out so great! now i HAVE to try this!

Katie @ katieboothinteriors said...

Linds,

LOVE your blog, you seriously have awesome style! thanks for checking out Cove Street:)

lemondropdreams said...

I'm going to have to try this!! It turned out soooo good!

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Linds- Happy Valentine's Day!

Love the lamp - and grandma's lamp base looks like you could have bought it today!

Loretta

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

Great idea! I love the orange!

Julie said...

Super cute! I'm so into orange right now.

Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d said...

I really like it, but I think it would look more polished like the inspiration if you added ribbon to the edges.

Unknown said...

Great job! Love how you styled it here as well! That little brass elephant is the sweetest!

Navy Bean said...

Absolutely love this! I'm trying it this weekend... I'll definitely send you a pic!

Devon said...

Fun shades. Really like the three painting combination above as well.

Malia said...

Love it! Question though, so in that Lucky mag article it said to use a pot you don't plan on cooking with again. Do you agree?

LindsB said...

Hi Malia, I used a large plastic bucket to dye. You know one of those big buckets you would use if you were washing the car, or cleaning your floor. I got it from Target in the cleaning section and its dark blue. After I used it I just washed it out and it seemed to be fine. Good luck!

Kristin said...

I just want you to come decorate my house! Love it. You have such a good sense of style and space. I can pick out things I like that look good, but I have the hardest time arranging them so they make sense spacially. Just isn't my gift, I guess. P.S. As you know, I am a fellow lover of orange and I cannot find bedding for my guest bedroom!! I'm about to break down and find fabric I love and make my own duvet cover layer over a quilt. Will definitely let you know when it's done, because I need some more orange in my life.

Laura Trevey said...

Tangerine is my new favorite color ~ and it's Everywhere!!!
xo Laura
www.brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com

LifestyleBohemia said...

This lampshade looks awesome!

Malia said...

A bucket is a great idea! I'm going to have to try this. Thanks!

Unknown said...

i love love love the color.

Karen said...

I love the pop of color and the fact that the lamp has sentimental value to you.

Laura@JourneyChic said...

Wow! It looks fantastic. I'm glad you tried the blowdryer method and didn't give up - I may have trashed the whole thing at that point. Very cool indeed!

Anonymous said...

I bought almost that exact lamp at Brimfield antiques fair this year! I have a plain white shade on it now, but what a fun idea! Thank you for posting, its gorgeous.
xoxo

Katie @ Goodsy
www.goodsy.wordpress.com

charm home said...

Your lamp shade looks great! Such a great idea if you are in need of a colorful shade.

http://thelonelywifeproject.wordpress.com/ said...

Love it!! Those dogs candles!!!!!!!! WHERE from???