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Risking It

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In general, I don’t really consider myself much of a risk taker.  I still cut up grapes and hot dogs for my 5 year old son.  There’s no way on Earth you could ever get me on a motorcycle.  I freaked out when I saw my neighbor standing on the very tip top of her ladder to hang lights on her home a few Christmas seasons ago.

However, in decorating, it’s okay to take risks.  Sometimes, I’m okay taking that risk – such as Zack’s brightly colored, crazy mural-ed bedroom.  Other times, I shrink back for fear of it not working out – like the giant turquoise chevron pattern I wanted to paint in my master bedroom that I know will never happen.

When my friend and idol, the Nester, showed off her fur covered ottoman and challenged her readers to pick a risky project, I immediately knew I was game.  Or rather, this lamp was game.

I’ve had this lamp for over 10 years.  I’ve had it longer than I’ve known my husband.  When I told him I was going to transform it, he said, “I was wondering how long we were going to be stuck with that thing.”  Well, hmpfh!  It’s not that bad.

The lamp itself works just fine.  It’s just scrawny.  And beat up.

So, with my glue gun and a ball of thick hemp twine in hand, I started wrapping it.  And wrapping.  And wrapping.  And wrapping.  I figured if I ruined it, I could just buy another lamp since I hated this one as it was.

I decked it out from head to toe, from top to bottom.  It didn’t take very long at all, and there’s no right or wrong way to do this.

Just glue and wrap.  Glue and wrap.  And then, keep on gluing and wrapping.

In the end, I have a new found love of this lamp.  The twine fattened up it’s skinny shape and really highlights the round design just below the shade.

Although I know it wasn’t a huge risk, it was a risk worth taking.

When’s the last time you took a decorating risk?  How did it turn out?

P.S. I’m linking up to the Nester’s National Take a Risk Day party.  Head over there and see how other folks took a risk.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  2. Jenny D. says

    I like the lamp transformation! I am currently painting an old buffet for my dining room in “hail a cab” yellow. The hubs is nervous about that much color, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that this isn’t a told you so moment for me : )

    Reply

  3. Darcy says

    I totally have that lamp and I’m not even kidding.

    Also, you have to (HAVE TO) paint a giant turquoise chevron pattern in your room. I will help. It will be amazing.

    Reply

  5. Natalie says

    Now I wish I had a beat-up old skinny lamp! {stomping feet!!} Totally gorgeous!! Didn’t hear about this risk party, but that’s so intriguing! Heading over to take a look!

    Reply

  10. Erin says

    Looks super fantastic! I’m taking a big risk with our floor stain (could end up too dark). Hopefully I won’t hate it because that is a MAJOR risk!

    Reply

  11. Fred @ One Project Closer says

    Real nice Lindsay. The risk we are thinking about right now is wainscoting in the dining room. I’m a little worried it might over-formalize our otherwise casual style …. but I love the look of box molding wainscoting and several other types (NOT beadboard! – nothing against it, but it just isn’t our look).

    So, we are still considering it – and how to find a good balance between casual and slick. Like I said, I don’t want it over-formalized… just want it to look nice. What do you think?

    Reply

  12. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    I love it!! It looks wonderful, Lindsay. I’d never think of something like that, but that’s why I don’t write a decorating blog. 😉 Stopping by from The Nester’s “Risk Day” party. 🙂

    Reply

  14. Oona says

    Wow, you are patient! I started wrapping some Ikea candlesticks in hemp last year and I got bored and never finished them. lol

    It looks super-fun, I love it!

    Reply

  17. Bonita says

    Oh honey, I think you just saved my ugly brass floor lamp from the trash pile! I love this idea and it would fit perfectly with the look I’m after for my living room. Thanks for sharing your lovely risk!

    Reply

  24. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    Seriously? You covered a lamp with twine? You are amazingly clever! I never, never would have thought to do something like this–but it’s a great idea! What a wonderful way to hide the old finish and bring in a cool texture at the same time. Yes, I’d say that was definitely a worthwhile risk!

    Reply

  25. Jo-Anna says

    This lamp looks amazing! Who would have thought twine! You have inspired me to try this! I have always disliked my living room lamps – they just look so functional! Time to fabulous them up!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply

  31. Claygirlsings says

    This is fantastic! I was just looking at our bedside lamps and reminding myself I have to transform them from green to red. This hemp idea is a perfect neutral color to go with the new red lampshades. I’m so inspired! Thanks!

    Reply

  32. Lindsay says

    I too have a lampt that I dont love what a great idea! Maybe I’ll do this to mine. How much just did you use. I did this to a candle and it took a long time. Great blog and a great name my name is Lindsay too! I found you on “nesting place” come check out my blog.
    http://www.countrygirlhome.blogspot.com

    Thanks for sharing your ideas.
    Lindsay

    Reply

  33. Marie says

    I love the lamp! Isn’t it fun to take decorating risks? I love doing that, even though projects don’t always turn out the way I envisioned.

    I saw that you are judging this week’s CSI Project submissions & thought I’d check out your blog — now I’m a new follower! I’m looking forward to seeing other new and thifty ideas. 🙂

    Reply

  35. kristin says

    I love your lamp treatment. it makes the lamp more current and covers up all the dings. i would suggest you add a trim of jute cord to the shade to tie it in.

    Reply

  36. Amy says

    I think it looks great. I haven’t done it to a lamp, but I did do a lampshade and I love the way it turned out.

    Twine is a ladies duct tape, isn’t it?

    Reply

  40. gwen says

    I tried this with one of my cheap target lamps. It looks nice, however, I can never sit close to it because the smell of the twine is awful — kind of like a wet cardboard smell. Did yours have this smell or is it the kind of twine I used? I used a roll of smooth hemp twine from wal-mart. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Lindsay says

      Hi Gwen- No, I didn’t have that issue at all! Was the twine smell before you used it or does it just smell bad when it warms under the light bulb?

      Reply

  41. leah says

    Very nice! I love wrapping things in hemp and twine but i have issues w/ hot glue… it always ends up stringy. any tips?

    Reply

    • Lindsay says

      Yeah, that’s the problem with glue guns. I call them glue gun hairs. I spend lots of time pulling them off of my projects. I even found myself pulling them off of a friend’s project at her house once purely out of habit. I was horrified that I did that!

      Reply

  42. lila says

    Lindsay, I have a 30 year old oak and brass standing lamp that still worked well but so date ( but then so am I) so I did what you did, took me 2 afternoons topped with a brown pattern shade and I love it! Good to go another 30. The sista rope I used did smell oily for the week but it’s great now.

    Reply

  43. Jenny says

    Thanks for this idea! My mom’s lamp that she’s getting rid of is so mine now!!! I’m a risk taker (just ask my husband), but I never buy anything for more than $50 and lots I’ve gotten free; it’s probably easier to transform it that way.

    Reply

  44. Robin says

    OMG–Lovin this!! I have a vintage lamp that somehow has rusted a bit on the bottom-I was so upset to see this happen–I cannot wait to try this idea to update it–I also want to add some teal color somewhere on it. Love your site!!

    Reply

  45. Heather says

    How much jute did you end up needing? I am about to do this to my old floor lamp but am struggling to estimate how much I need to buy ?

    Reply

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