lampshade

Half An Hour to DIY – Recovered Lampshade

by Chavah Kinloch on December 5, 2011

Earlier today I posted this on my Facebook status:

The problem I have, is that with my youngest child now growing up and being more independent I sit around looking at things for my home and come up with random ways to change them. It’s probably a good thing we don’t have a tonne of excess money or otherwise my husband would come home and wonder if he was at the right place.

I have so many little projects I can do around my home. It doesn’t really need anything done (well a new kitchen, new carpet and converting the garage to a family room would be great) but in reality, it’s fine how it is. We purchased it because it covered our list of must haves – room to play basketball, fully fenced, two bathrooms, four bedrooms. We don’t have much ‘need’ for anything materialistic, I’m grateful for that but I personally have a need to create… All the time.

Originally today I really wanted to paint something. I have this huge blank canvas sitting there but I’ve dedicated that canvas to a project that will happen ‘eventually’  (read: it’s a really good idea I haven’t made the time to create yet) and so I don’t want to waste my $120 canvas on something that I may or may not like…even though I really wanted to. Sometimes I hate that I restrain myself to be sensible financially.

So anyway, from the painting idea I went outside to fiddle around with the log that’s been drying for months. When I realised I couldn’t be bothered working on that project either I decided to move onto the lamps in my living room that even though in the photo’s appear to be fine, are actually kind of grubby after being around my kids for years.

Juggling through my ever growing fabric collection I came across a certain fabric I received from fellow artist Karley Feaver and was absolutely delighted with the way the pattern looked on a lampshade so knew I was onto a winner.

With my trusty glue gun, scissors, fabric & old lamp I set to work and within half an hour (it may have even been 15 minutes) I modernised these out of date lampshades.


Easy peasy. If I had patience I would probably mod podge the fabric on & line the inside where the fabric overlaps with felt. Those would be my tips anyway for anyone wanting to have a go at recovering a lampshade but seeing as these are just for my home, I’m happy! The kids think it looks great too. I’ll finish the matching lampshade tonight.

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DIY Lampshade for the Bedroom Makeover

by Chavah Kinloch on May 26, 2011

So in 2008, yes 2008… I bought this:

I only know I bought it in 2008 because of this blog haha. I posted here the weekend I got it.

Anyway, Miss V’s room needs a new lighting fixture. All it has is a light bulb because the boys one day threw something in the air and managed to smash their bedroom light shade. Can you see me shaking my head? I am. I have a million stories like this lol.

What I want for her bedroom is this:

I saw one for $99 last year and knew I should have scooped it up. It’s pretty affordable anyway but right now my budget is close to non existent so for now I have to make it work with what I got. Challenge accepted.

The lampshade I bought in 2008, I originally intended to spray paint orange. Never quite got there though because I fell pregnant that month with Boston and the exhaustion from the pregnancy kicked my butt.

So here we are years later and a few months back I found this. Pretty sure it’s from one of my favourite blogs because I recognise the room it’s in. It just happens to be one of my favourite kids rooms ever. EVER. Eh-Verrr.

Don’t you love that huge bulb? I die. I’m going to find one. As for the lampshade I figured, I can do that! I had a lampshade just sitting there waiting and I knew I could find the fabric to cover it so off I went and pulled my gear out of the studio to get to work.

Big thanks to Karley Feaver who sent me some fabric last year. I finally got to use some of it! I’ve been wanting an excuse to use that fabric.

I rummaged through my fabrics and pulled out four samples. Here’s what I was inspired to do:

Steps one and two.

Steps three and four.

Hopefully I can get my hands on one of those large bulbs and I can get Miss V’s room looking half as good as the one above. I’m still considering maybe adding some flowers or beads to the shade. If I do I’ll update you.

Total cost = Free (maybe $1 for everything)

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Time to Turn it On

by Chavah Kinloch on September 19, 2010

We’re not getting much done on the room this weekend. NZ has had a storm and the type of storm we got where I live,  was a snow storm. It’s actually been a lot of fun but it’s so cold there’s just no way we could paint the room. Up until the snow arrived it’d been really sunny and beautiful. It’s been such a contrast in weather these past few days. Beautiful though!

On the first day of the storm, Friday, when it was just cold and miserable; the electrician came over to install a lampshade I bought – once again- some time ago.

I didn’t have an electrician, so how else does one find one nowadays but through asking for recommendations on Facebook. :P

As luck would have it I knew some people, who knew some people and with that an appointment was made and I found myself an electrician.

This is what the lightshade looked like before: (Ok, I forgot to take a photo of the one in Boston’s room so this is the exact same style of shade but on his sisters ceiling – those dots are glow in the dark stars.)

and this is his new designer lampshade:

It has the most amazing glow when it’s on! Money well spent IMO. Putting it together was a mission and a half. It came in pieces in an envelope with the WORST instructions ever. There’s an online video you can watch to help you figure it out but that’s no better!

Eventually, Andrew figured it out on his own but after sitting around (where it was meant to be safe) little hands touched it and a few of the pieces came undone. I attempted to fix it and am proud to say I did it!

So, next to the paint and the cot, this is the most expensive part of the room. In saying that, for the result it gives and the actual amount it cost, it’s really affordable.

Electrician + Dangly hanging bit of the light = $50 (I only had 20′s though and he was so efficient I paid $60)

Lampshade & delivery = $30

Total = $90

Things are starting to take shape! I’ll try and finish the chair over the coming week. If it stays this cold we won’t be painting for a while yet so it’s the perfect time to finish some other projects.

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Sexy New Subjects

by Chavah Kinloch on July 26, 2010

Welcome to the first official day of my regular routine! I’ve loved my time off but am really excited to be back painting my paintings and venturing into finishing and starting new furniture projects to take from wreck to ravishing.

This is my current project. I was going to make it extremely artistic but now I’m not sure if I want to anymore! I’m thinking I’ll change my mind and go a completely different direction.

Purchase price: $15.00

This is the lampshade I purchased in Dunedin. I loved it’s colour and lantern-like shape. I bought it the day after I visited the most kick-@$$ Chinese restaurant and was feeling inspired by the restaurants interior design. I’m considering adding some bling to this.

Purchase price $10.00

This was purchased from the dump. It looks to be part of a mid century Scandinavian design set. I love the little curves in the bars and at the front of the seat. It almost seems like sacrilege to take to it the way I want to but alas, I’m still going to do it my way.

Purchase price: $5.00

I’m not a huge fan of cane furniture but there are some pieces that I see potential in. This is one of them. Right now it has a rustic feel to it and is in need of a good spray and wipe. I’m sure it will come up a treat when I’m done.

Purchase price: $2.00

How cute is this stool?! My husband saw it first and told me he knew I’d buy it as soon as I saw it. He knows me well.
The seat is more of an olive green colour. It’s cute enough as it is but does need some TLC to bring it to it’s full potential.

Purchase price: $6.50

I looove how sexy the base of this table is. It’s REAL wood, extremely heavy. This is the project I really want to get started on BUT my rule for myself is I have to finish one thing first before I move on. So I’d better get back to it now :)

Purchase price: $20.00

Do you have any current projects on the go? Feel free to leave your link! I’d love to see.

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