Part 1 of operation Guest Bedroom makeover has commenced!
Have you ever wandered through the aisles of HomeGoods, found an item you loved but just wished it came in a different color? This happens to me all the time, including the other day when I found these lamps. Even though the wood tone was darker than I would like, I knew I had to get them because the price was too good (they were on clearance and can retail for up to $350!) I also knew if I got creative with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I already had at home, I could customize these lamps to be exactly what I was looking for our guest bedroom makeover.
In today's post, I'm diving into the steps I used to transform these lamps into a bespoke piece that will perfectly compliment the guest bedroom. This project is quick, easy and only requires a few items, so let's get started!
Materials You'll Need
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (I used Old Ochre for this project)
Annie Sloan Wax (I used Dark, but she also has Clear and White depending on the look you're going for)
Paintbrushes in Different Sizes (This will be dependent on your lamp, mine had a lot of texture I needed to get the paint into so you may need bigger/smaller brushes depending on your lamp's material)
Soft Cloth or Wax Brush (To Apply the Wax)
Drop Cloth or Paper to Protect your Work Surface
Q-Tips and Damp Cloth (For cleaning)
Step 1: Prepare Your Lamp & Work Surface
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is pretty durable, but you'll want to clean off your lamp's surface with a damp cloth before painting. Now is also a good time to lay down a protective barrier on your work surface to prevent paint spills and drips. I also had my damp cloth and some Q-Tips handy in case I got paint on any area of the lamp that didn't need paint.
It's also a lot easier to paint without the lampshade on, so be sure to remove that and any other removable parts of your lamp that may get in the way while you're painting.
Step 2: Apply the Chalk Paint
Before applying the paint to the lamp, make sure you give the can a good stir. Chalk paint has great coverage, so a little goes a long way. It's best to do multiple light coats rather than one heavy coat that takes forever to dry.
I was happy with how my lamps looked after two coats of Old Ochre, depending on your lamp and its material you may need more or less coats. I also used multiple brushes in different sizes to make sure I got into all the nooks and crannies of these lamps.
Step 3: Apply the Wax
After the paint has completely dried, apply your wax to seal and protect the paint using a soft cloth or wax brush. Work the wax into the paint using a cloth or brush and then wipe off the excess.
For my lamps, I wanted the finish a bit darker, so I used the dark wax, but if you don't want the color to change use clear wax. And if you want to lighten the color, use white wax.
Step 4: Reassemble Your Lamp
Once the wax has cured completely, it's time to put the lamp back together so you can get ready to take a look at your masterpiece. Plug that bad boy in, take a step back and admire your work!
Here's a side by side comparison of the before and after so you can see the difference. It's subtle and better in person, but the lamps are now a lot lighter than they were and more of the "wood tone" I prefer.
And here's what they look like without being plugged in.
And there you have it! First phase of Operation Guest Bedroom Makeover is complete. Now before we part ways, let's take a look at the mood board I created for our guest bedroom to make sure I'm on track.
So, the lamps I have on this board are not identical to what I have now, but they're similar. They both feature this wood fragment type look and I want to say they both have an acrylic base, except I got mine for a fraction of the price. By following these easy steps, you have learned how to prepare, paint and finish your lamps, achieving a professional designer look without the professional designer price tag.
Remember, with a little imagination and the right tools, the possibilities are endless! I hope this simple lamp DIY leaves you feeling inspired to enhance your home decor while also giving you the satisfaction of creating something uniquely yours.
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