Lamp Shade Do-Over, and an Announcement

What goes around, comes around.  Drum shades, which were de riguer in the ’70s, are in again.  Which means keep your eye out at thrift stores for old lamps.

I got this shade for a couple bucks.  At the time I wasn’t sure how, but I new I could update it.



This lamp was a super clearance deal at Hobby Lobby a few years ago.  It was okay, but nothing special, and I was getting tired of the square-ish lamp shade.  It took me a while to put two and two together, but when I finally did, it was quick and easy.



I used burlap, because I had some, but I imagine you could use any fabric.  This photo doesn’t show it very well, but the shade had a seam down the side, and I started at that point, lining up the finished edge of the burlap with the original seam, because I knew the fabric would not be straight once I’d gone all the way around.



Using spray adhesive, I carefully smoothed the burlap down all the way around the shade.  Then I tucked the raw edge under that finished edge and glued.  That gave the overlap a nice, straight finished edge.



I left lots of extra fabric while I was gluing to make sure I got full coverage, but once that was done, I trimmed the top and bottom edges to about 1/2”.  I had also sprayed the coppery-colored frame black before I started with the burlap.

 

Then I just went around the top and bottom with the glue gun and folded over the edges.



And here it is now!



Me likey!



It's a pretty good knock-off of this one from Ballard Designs.  Ballard’s:  $59.  Mine:  under $5.



Now for the announcement.  Way back in February I had a Pottery Barn Knock-off Party.  It was awesome, and it’s still one of my most popular posts.  I always figured I’d do it again sometime, and now is the time!  I’m going to do it once a month, on the last Friday of the month.  That will give us lots of time over the weekend to look through the entries.

I’m going to broaden it just a little bit, though, to Ballard Designs and Restoration Hardware in addition to PB.  I know there are others out there, but I feel that there must be some restraints or it just ends up as anything-goes and the original idea is lost.  If you feel strongly that I should include another catalog, make a suggestion and I’ll consider it.

A few more rules I’m going to insist upon:

• your knock-off entry must be made by you
• you must include a picture of the original item from the catalog so we can compare (scan in the photo from your old catalog or find one on the internet if there’s no longer a photo of it on the website)
• it must be a specific comparable item, like my lamp shade, and not just a “this kind of has the PB look to it”

So, the first monthly PB/BD/RH Knock-off Party will be Friday, October 29.  Grab your catalogs, get inspired, create, and meet me back here a week from Friday!

I’m joining Amanda’s Weekend Bloggy Reading party.