It’s so fun watching something as lowly as a thriftstore lamp get a makeover. From the before pics to the afters, it’s a transformation that is worthy of the effort. This $5 wooden lamp was found in Port St. Joe when me and my longtime friend, Vicki, were down there a few months ago. She is looking to do some updates at their cottage home there, as well as many decorating projects at their house here in Georgia, so I’m helping her along with the process.
Let me take you back to this lamp that I uncovered at the Port St. Joe thriftstore we visited. Doesn’t look like much, does it? Just another wooden lamp with not much appeal about it. But, I saw some potential in this ole gal, so for $5, Vicki brought her home.
We started by painting it with 2 coats of creamy white (Sherwin Williams Antique White).
Looking better already!
We covered the shade in burlap, using this method that I’ve showed you before.
Roll the shade over the burlap until you have a piece ready for covering.
Spray the shade with spray adhesive and then attach the burlap to the shade. You may need to secure it with some hot glue around the edges. Here’s the spray adhesive I used by Krylon.
Turn under the raw edge on the back and glue down with hot glue gun.
I cut off the extra fabric on this on instead of turning it under and over the lampshade, but you can do it either way. I went back and added some rope trim to the top and bottom too, to cover the raw edges. 
And here is what we have now! A cute coastal inspired lamp. Rescued and reused from the thriftstore!
I still love burlap. 
We threaded a little shell on a piece of rope and tied it over the harp.
It was distressed a bit too to shabby it up a little.
And that’s how cute it turned out! Don’t you love to redo old things and make them look new and fresh again?
I sure do! We will hopefully do more of these little projects along the way.
What a darling makeover! I had my doubts at the first picture if you could really rescue that ugly thing, but you truly transformed it, just like God transforms us. Very amazing.
Cindy
I would not have seen the potential in that lamp like you did, it came out great!! Love the burlap and the addition of the twine and shell, unique and cottage cute. Mary
I love a good lamp makeover and this one is prefect! You did a great job with the distressing and the burlap shade 🙂
Hi Rhonda,
I love it! Great transformation and the burlpa shade just makes it!
hugs
Sissie
What a great makeover! Love it and I to love burlap! Martina
Fabulous redo, Rhoda!! 🙂 I love the spray adhesive tip. That would have made my burlap lampshade much more smooth. You live, you learn. Have a fab day! xoxo
Rhoda that is some transformation! My goodness if I had seen this lamp in a store I would have bought it! Its perfect for the look I have been trying to achieve in my home.
I bet Vicki is delighted with her new cottage lamp.
You never cease to amaze me with your creativity 🙂
I just bought two big demi-johns in wooden crates from ebay that I am making into lamps. They weren’t five dollars, but the impact they will make will be worth the money (I hope!)
Rhoda,
Wonderful makeover! I especially love the shade. All this for $5 and a few supplies. I would put a vintage postcard or black and white photo in that framed area of the lamp.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Wow, I’ve got to admit I was skeptical of this one! But it turned out so cute!! I love it! Great job!
Rhoda, I love your blog and probably have never commented. You have great ideas AND recipes !! I was just in Port St Joe (thrifting) but I guess I didn’t even see the Faith Thrift Store. I’ll be back down that way during the Labor Day weekend, so hopefully I’ll be finding treasures in Port St Joe again !
I really like how you transformed the lamp shade. Great idea!
It looks fantastic! What a perfect and sweet touch to add the shell.
It totally speaks to my heart. Thank you!
So cuute! I love it!
I love this! This is an amazing transformation! I know Vickie loves it! I know you have a vision to see what something can be; what a gift! Thanks you for sharing this! I’m inspired!
What a fantastic transformation Rhoda! You gave that lamp a brand new life and it is beautiful!
Rhoda, just checking your blog, as I do on a daily basis ’cause there is ALWAYS something good!
Just had to share with you that yesterday I undertook my first canning project ever using your dear mother’s method for canning tomatoes. I had always just frozen things, because I figured I would ruin anything I tried to can…..WA-LAH! I have 10 pints of beautiful tomatoes sitting on my countertop waiting to be put away. (I may just leave them out to remind myself of my accomplishment thanks to you and your parents 🙂 They are beautiful, and you were exactly right….sooooo easy…Thanks for posting method and give your mom and dad a great big hug…..will think of you all each time I open one of my cans of beautiful tomatoes…..Have a good one!
Ronda G.
Love this! You have a great eye and are always so generous with sharing your fantastic ideas!
Thanks!
Very cute!
Hugs,
Kat