Lord,
Pottery Barn.
The two words that have inspired more knockoffs than any other Home decor franchise . Their style is amazing, timeless, always fresh and I can identify it from a mile away. I could make a fairly imposing list of items I’ve drooled over in a Pottery Barn catalog over the years, and up pretty high on the list
would be these:
I’ve had them in my virtual cart lots of times. Even with a 15% off coupon, I could never pull the trigger.
On Thursday on my way home from my day job I made a few stops for some fun stuff that would insure a productive weekend for me. The weathermen (ALL of them) were forecasting a major snow for the Southeast and I was preparing for a weekend of being snowed in with Big Daddy.
Boy, did I ever get my wish.
We got over 13 inches of beautiful snow , the kind of snow that sticks to everything. My very favorite kind of snow!
So here’s what I picked up:
I whirled in to Goodwill and found a pair of old brass lamp bases for $2 each. Then I stopped by my local Annie Sloan stockist and picked up a couple of sample size paints in Graphite and French Linen and I was ready for the weekend.
I chose the French Linen for the two lamp bases and let me just tell you that I LOVE this color!
It took two coats for comlete coverage and I let both bases cure over night before I dug out my waxes and a shop towel and went to town on them.
I want to preface the rest of this post by tell y’all right now: A LOT of wax went on these lamps . . . . And A LOT came off. Yes it was time consuming but I had nothing to do but sit at my kitchen table in front of our big bay window, watch it snow and play with the finish on these lamps.
It was time well spent, in my humble opinion.
Oh, French Linen.
Where have you been all my life?
Believe me when I tell y’all that I’m kicking my own butt for never using this color before. It is a warm, rich Greige. And the addition of dark wax takes it to a whole new level.
In all the right places.
I began with a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax and immediately applied the dark before the clear had time to dry. I did both lamps back to back and then got a clean , fresh shop towel and wiped all the excess wax off. Lastly , I went back with the dark and filled in the cracks in the turned part of the bases. Don’t forget, clear wax is a solvent. If you think you’ve applied too much dark wax, clear will remove it.
I want to talk for a moment about this plate wall in my dining room. I did this by myself one Thursday night back in the Summer (right after I got home from work) when big Daddy was in a late meeting and I instantly loved it! And I am not the least bit tired of it. I’m thinking about doing another plate wall in our bedroom with black Transferware.
These linen drum shades where a great find over the Summer at Goodwill. They are brand new, still in the plastic Target shades for $7 each. I don’t know about y’all but if I can find a new lampshade for under $10, I do the Snoopy dance.
I don’t care where I am.
I have another pair of lamps that I also painted this weekend and I hope to be sharing them later this week .
Have a great week!
Paige
Blogs I love!
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net
http://seekinglavenderlane.com
http://homeremediesrx.com
http://www.stonegableblog.com
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com
http://www.karensuponthehill.com
http://theblissfulbee.porch.com
that is amazing. I mean, really amazing. you have inspired me to try this! I am NOT very crafty!
They're beautiful!
Love how your lamps turned out! I gotta try that Annie Sloan paint & wax out but a trip to Goodwill is needed. And while I'm there, maybe I will do a Snoopy dance if I can find some new lamp shades!
You are one talented Lady!
Fantastic job – love the finish! I also have lusted after those same lamps, but could not justify the expense. I have been looking for one to makeover, and actually found a lamp with the perfect shape. I have been so undecided how to approach painting it so that it resembled the Pottery Barn wood one, so I am thrilled to have read your post. Here's hoping mine turns out just as amazing as yours! Thanks so much for sharing this project, totally helped me.
Hi Paige, this are fantastic. I have not used chalk paint before, so I have a quick questions. Did you not need to prime the brass before you applied the paint?
Nope, you do not. Annie Sloan chalk paint is self priming and self leveling. Have fun & thanks for stopping by!
Wow, your lamps look great! It's just amazing what can happen with the right paint and some determination. I love it when we can find inspiration from PB and copy it. Makes the times that we actually buy something there feel better on the budget. 🙂
Stunning makeover! Those lamps are gorgeous now! You certainly nailed it! I hope you have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry
Don't you just love the chalk paint? I recently redid a cabinet in it! I'd love for you to link up your project at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop… It's on Wednesday nights! http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com
The whole deco is amazing! The lamps, the plates and the little table, so nice! What a transformation you did with these lamps! Love it!
Oh my goodness Paige! You do beat all! This transformation is amazing! I wouldn't have ever thought of such a possibility. I will be looking at old lamps differently from now on! Definitely pinning this. 🙂
Thanks for linking up with us at #TALENTEDTuesday.
Cheers,
AJ
We are getting snow here as well!
LOVE how your lamps turned out. Great job!