It all started with this.....

It all started with an antique quilt given to me by my Uncle Cliff in 1985. It was made by my Great Grandmother using original fabrics spanning from the 1860's to the 1930's, in a string quilt pattern. All strings were hand pieced. All fabrics were loved. I can imagine Grandpa's shirts, or Grandma's housedress or apron. And now I'm the fortunate steward of this wonderful bit of family history........all made by hand.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Light on a subject......

I’ve been starring at this lamp for several years, wishing I could re-purpose it into something a bit more ‘prim’, as in primitive.  It’s a nice lamp as is, but I just wanted to change it up, without any expense of course.



Then it hit me……remove the white milk glass shade and clear hurricane, remove the cute antique brass bulb hardware, paint and distress it, then rob a dark mustard tin punch shade from another lamp, and maybe just maybe it would work.  Our house is an eclectic and warm blend of Colonial Antique meets Americana meets Folk meets Art with a slight tinge of Prim……with modern creature comforts, all depending on my mood. Basically I'd like Thomas Jefferson and Andy Warhol to both feel comfortable in my home, just in case they both stopped in sometime.

Next I had to pitch the concept to hubs.  You might say he’s not big on change.  “What’s wrong with it as it is? It’s just as nice as the day we bought it back in 1977.”   Keep in mind he wears the same jeans, same shoe, and same plaid design flannel that he did back in 1977, so that’s his reference.  Nothing against LLBean, they are great, but seriously.  If they announced they were closing, he’d buy 20 years-worth just to be safe. It’s not that I couldn’t have removed it myself, but I know it gives him great satisfaction to ‘come to my renovation rescue’ now and then.

So, once I convinced him of the values of the change, the hardware and wiring was removed.  Next I lightly sanded the wood and metal base so the paint would stick.

Next I added several coats of Lamp Black acrylic paint, being sure to leave rough edges so it looked ‘old and distressed’, like me!  Be sure it’s nice and dry and proceed.


Then I added a glaze of red acrylic in the creases, whipping the excess.  I allowed the red to dry thoroughly. 




Next I added a glaze of mustard over some of the creases, again whipping the excess and allowing them to dry.



Happy with the glazing, finally I sprayed two coats clear matte protective finish on the entire base, letting it dry in between coats.  Hardware and wiring was added, a bulb was added and I popped on the shade.  Voila!  A soft slightly prim light to enjoy! 



Gotta run, I hear a knock at the door.  I think it may be Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Warhol!

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