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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » DIY Ombre Striped Lamp Shade {ScotchBlue Painting Party}

DIY Ombre Striped Lamp Shade {ScotchBlue Painting Party}

by Lindsay Ballard on August 31, 2011 40 Comments

Today I’m joining a group of fantastic DIY bloggers in showcasing easy projects we’ve put together using ScotchBlue Painters Tape with Edge Lock Protector.  If you are a long time reader of this blog, you know that my husband and I use ScotchBlue Painters Tape for just about every DIY project – painting perfectly crisp lines on textured walls, caulking, holding together small components that we don’t want to get lost.  Just Monday, I saw that my UPS man was using it to hold one of the small side windows onto his delivery truck.  I’m sure that’s not an intended use, but whatever works, right?

This ScotchBlue Painting Party is actually a blog hop, so click around to the other bloggers to see what everyone created.  Other than myself, participants include Kristen F. Davis Designs, Maison Decor, House Bella, and Craptastic.

DIY Ombre Striped Lamp Shade

Supplies

  • Lamp shade – it’s best to have one that’s rectangular or cylindrical (same diameter across the top and bottom). You can do this project with a shade that’s more conical in shape, but it is difficult to tape.
  • Acrylic craft paint – choose a base color and a bright white.
  • Paint brush – I used a 1″ all-purpose artist’s brush found in the acrylic paint aisle, and it worked great.
  • ScotchBlue Painters Tape with Edge Lock Protector – I used 1.5″ width so I could be sloppy, but any width should work.
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Disposable plastic lidded bowl
  • Teaspoon
  • Straw or something disposable you could use to stir

Directions

1.  I began with this little desk lamp I picked up at Target for around $15.  I loved its shape and size, but it screamed trying-too-hard-to-make-my-college-dorm-look-cool to me.  It needed a little update.

If you are going to complete this project, I definitely recommend using a shade that the top and bottom are the same widths.  It will make you life much easier when trying to tape off your stripes.

2.  Remove the shade from the base and mark little hash marks 1″ from the bottom of the shade.  Use the painters tape to tape off a 1″ width stripe.  Squeeze an entire bottle (generally 2 oz) of your base color into the plastic bowl and paint the stripe your base color with the paint brush.  I used Vanilla Bean from Martha Stewart’s new line of craft paints at Michaels because I wanted to try it, but any brand will work just fine.  You may also want to choose a lighter base color than I selected, since the light barely comes through the bottom of my completed shade (which could be fine with you, as it is for me).

Remove the tape while the paint is still wet.

Let that stripe dry completely.  It will take about 30 minutes indoors or 10 minutes if you stick the shade out in the sun.

3.  Next, use your pencil and ruler to draw little hash marks 2″ from the bottom of your shade.  Use the painters tape to tape off that line, just like you did the first.  Add a second line of tape ever so slightly above your first painted stripe.  You want a little of your previous color to show under the tape so you don’t risk having any unpainted portions of the shade (see below photo).  Use your thumb to make sure the edges of both tape lines are pressed down well.

4.  Add 1 teaspoon of white craft paint (I used Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cake) to the bowl containing your base color and stir until it is completely mixed.  Use that mix to paint the second stripe on your shade and remove the tape while still wet.

Let that paint dry, as above.

Your lines will not be absolutely perfect if you are painting on a fabric shade (like mine), since the fibers cause the paint to wick a tiny bit.  It’s totally okay, though, because it gives it a bit of a fading effect.  The ScotchBlue Painters Tape with Edge Lock Protector rocks on hard surfaces, but it’s too much to ask for it to completely block fabric fibers.  🙂

5.  Continue the process of marking and taping lines and adding 1 tsp of white paint to your bowl for each stripe.  You will quickly see the ombre effect created by adding the same amount of white paint to each stripe.

6.  Once you reach the top of your shade, tape off the last stripe as you have been doing.  You may want to also tape right under the bias tape trim on the inside of the shade.  That will keep that trim looking nice when you look into the shade.

7.  Once the last stripe is dry, you are ready to add the shade back to the base.  Your lampshade is now a piece of custom art!

Would you like to win some ScotchBlue Painters Tape with Edge Lock Protector to try this project or any other project you can dream up?  Three readers will win a sample from ScotchBlue!  You have three ways to enter (and please leave a comment for each way you enter):

  • Leave a comment on this post telling me how you would use your ScotchBlue Painters Tape;
  • Tweet @ScotchBlueBrand “I want #supersharppaintlines for my next project!”;
  • “Like” ScotchBlue on Facebook so you can see and/or participate in future painting parties.

Amy at Maison Decor is next on the ScotchBlue Blog Hop, so head over her way!

Disclosure: ScotchBlue Brand reached out to me to participate in the ScotchBlue Painting Party to celebrate the launch of their new ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape with Edge-Lock Paint Line Protector. My post represents my honest experience with ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape. I am not being paid for my answers, but I did receive ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape to assist in completion.

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.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. Peggy Lemos says

    August 31, 2011 at 11:17 am

    What a cool idea! I want to try on jars that I recycle by making into vases! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • holly says

      August 31, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      peggy if you mix mod podge with paint you can coat the outside with it. is stays better that way.

      Reply
  2. Mary McDaniel says

    August 31, 2011 at 11:26 am

    I love the gradual shades of color! Awesome! I would us it to make a sign for my entryway–it need some green or turquoise color in the mix.

    Reply
  3. Mary McDaniel says

    August 31, 2011 at 11:26 am

    I just liked ScotchBlue on FB!

    Reply
  4. Bren says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    That’s just BRILLIANT! Like Martha but prettier and without all the clucking!

    Reply
  5. Amanda Dolechek says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    That’s a lot of work but it turned out great! I’m loving the ombre effect.

    Reply
  6. Cindy M says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Love your lamp! 🙂
    I would use the tape to paint stripes on my wall! 🙂

    Reply
  7. ladyloo says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    I would love some painting tape, because I have a whole house to paint, and I want to use your tape trick on my ceiling lines.

    Reply
  8. Erin says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I would love to try this project 🙂

    Reply
  9. donna bowes says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I have a canvas/paint/painters tape project I want to try and haven’t got around to getting the tape. This would be perfect! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  10. donna bowes says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Liked them on facebook!

    Reply
  11. CherylM. says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    I would love some blue painter’s tape as I always have projects going on!.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Marty@A Stroll thru Life says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    What a fantastic idea. I love the brown colors. It looks wonderful. Thanks for the tip. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  13. gail says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    I’m not entering, because I am a participating blogger, but I just had to tell you I love your lamp! 🙂
    great job!
    gail

    Reply
  14. Sarah Lacey says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I love this idea! I think I’m going to do it for my Daughter’s nursery. I’ve been trying to find a cute pink lamp without any luck and this post just solved my problem. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Erica says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    This is an awesome idea!

    Reply
  16. beth says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    I would love some blue tape! I just ran out in the middle of re-doing my hall! Also, I am doing crafts for a friends wedding reception and plan to do some ombre techniques!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    I’m wanting to paint some stripes on my wall, going to need lots of tape for that project!

    Reply
  18. Jennifer says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    I tweeted @ScotchBlueBrand!

    Reply
  19. Amber says

    August 31, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    I want to paint stripes on my bedroom walls…..edge lock would be perfect!!

    Reply
    • Phill says

      September 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm

      Amber,

      The only other tool you need besides Edge-Lock tape would be a new, amazing painting tool that is now on the market called the “U-Stripe It & Design Tool.” Check out this site at http://www.ustripeit.com. It will help you create stripes on your walls like they created on the lamp. Good luck.

      Reply
  20. Laree @ Ever Heard of Euless says

    August 31, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I’m trying to convince myself that I’m ready to rehab the curbside dresser that’s been sitting in my kitchen for a year now. Maybe I’d actually suceed if I didn’t have to pick up the tape too!

    Reply
  21. Lindsay Porter says

    August 31, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Great project Lindsay! I love the lampshade, I can’t wait to find something to try this on in my own home!!!

    Reply
  22. Emily says

    August 31, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Can I ask how it looks turned on? Is the light able to come through the paint? Love your blog–such great inspiration and tips!

    Reply
  23. Katie says

    August 31, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    This turned out so great Lindsay!! I love the look of the varying shades of color! Great job!!

    Reply
  24. Brenna says

    September 1, 2011 at 11:54 am

    I’m repainting my walls in my house and not so good at not getting it on my trim.Also I want to try in my hallway the same thing in Maison Decor.
    Thanks

    Reply
  25. sarah says

    September 1, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    great project! only 2 out of 12 rooms in my house are painted. up next: horizontal stripes in our half bath!

    Reply
    • Phill says

      September 7, 2011 at 12:33 pm

      Sarah,
      Go to http://www.ustripeit.com and check out the new painting tool that can help you paint your stripes. The only other tools you will need is the Edge-Lock tape and the Command two-way adhesive. You will enjoy designing your room hassle free, saving time and money. Have fun with it.

      Reply
  26. Christie says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    Love the project! I’d use them to paint the wine cabinet that my dad is making for me 🙂 Inside part is going to be varying shades of white! This would be perfect

    Reply
  27. Flybabymom says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I don’t know exactly how I’d use it, but I know I WOULD use it when we move to a new (to us) house in the very near future–next month or two…

    Reply
  28. Debbie says

    September 2, 2011 at 10:46 am

    What a cool project. I can’t wait to try it in green, gray, and blue, one for each room!

    Reply
  29. nizniz says

    September 2, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    First of all,
    I just painted my laminate bed and bookshelf a minty color using your other post as a guide. It looks great, so THANK YOU! It has completely transformed my room!
    As a college student, painting was a much cheaper alternative than buying new furniture, plus I was able to customize, woohoo!

    Although, my shelf will be used a lot so is there a protective coating I could use to prolong the life of the paint? Any suggestions?

    Oh and one more question… What is your opinion on lace trim on latex painted furniture? Will it stick with fabric glue?

    As for the tape, I would love to recreate this lamp for myself with the left over paint I have.

    More than anything, you are awesome! Thanks for all your ideas, I am a faithful follower now!

    Reply
    • nizniz says

      September 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm

      you have already answered one q: polyurethane to protect.

      Reply
  30. Becky says

    September 2, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    OMG this is super awesome!!!! I wanna copy your lamp!!

    Reply
  31. Elisabeth says

    September 2, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    I’m smack-dab in the middle of painting my whole house and the tape that I used to tape off the ceiling left a bit to be desired. I would love to try this tape instead to see if it made a difference.

    Also, really cool lamp shade!! 🙂

    Reply
  32. geri says

    September 2, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Want to use for my grandson’s bedroom, paint on the walls and redo a dresser…racing stripes?

    Reply
  33. Bernadette @b3hd says

    September 3, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    What a totally fun ombre project!

    Reply
  34. brookline home sales says

    September 4, 2011 at 12:15 am

    These are great ideas. I love the thought of taking something so simple and enhancing it. As a realtor, I like to give clients recommendations for staging their home. not everyone can afford a home staging professional, so it’s nice to be able to give tips like this one. I will recommend your site for ideas.

    Reply
  35. ColleenwithMurals&More says

    September 9, 2011 at 9:38 am

    What a great tute! I shared it today on a post about Ombre. If you ever do a wall, let me know 😉

    Reply
  36. Angela says

    September 18, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    I love this, I am going to try some of my own ombre stuff this weekend. Stop by sometime to check it out! thenestedhome.blogspot.com

    Reply

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About Makely

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.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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