doily lamp makeover
Mar 20, 2009 
I’ve had a jerry-rigged flea market lamp on my desk for about a year. But the bland lampshade started to bug me, and I thought a nice pop of color would brighten up the corner.
Lena Corwin’s Printing By Hand was my starting point. Instead of her contact paper method, I used leftover doilies I had on hand from this project, because I'm loving their lacy effect and trying to find modern ways to use them.
When I peeled back the doilies, I first thought I wasn’t crazy about this project. But now that it’s in place, I’m digging it. I think if I had to do it over again, I think I might add even more doilies (gasp!) because I really like the contrast and texture. And it’s a bonus that I looks just as nice when the light isn’t on.
You can check out the step-by-step process right here.
One funny side note to this project: Before Valentine’s Day, my husband was across town near a craft store and I asked him to stop in and pick up a pack of the smallest doilies they had. He reported back that he diligently asked the cashier, I didn’t think I would ever hear myself ask this question, but do you have any smaller doilies?
He’s a keeper.
Reader Comments (13)
Kelly, I love how you took one of my favorite sources of inspiration (Printing by Hand) and ran with it! Great lampshade... I tend to be a less is more kind of person, but I agree more doilies might be interesting, too! Wonderful post!
I absolutely LOVE that book, and I love the design you came up with! It is so unique and crafty! Great job.
Hi, I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR TUTORIAL!! So cute! Hope this is not too much to ask, but can you make either a PDF or make a page with all steps? It would be much easier for the readers to print out all at once.
JP
What a fun project!
Cute idea.
This is a great idea! That book is my favorite source of inspiration right now too, and I've been considering doing something like this too my drum lampshades. I was even thinking about sewing old handmade doilies onto them in a similar pattern! But this would be easier, I do believe. Thanks for sharing!
I love the way your lampshade turned out! Thanks for this — and the process shots are great.
I love this idea. Thanks for the step by step tutorial.
Hi Kelly:
Your note about your hubs made me smile broadly. Only the heartiest and most loving men could weather being married to us crafters...
:)
Oh I love it! Hmm...I might have to do this in my guestroom. Thanks so much for the idea, I'll be linking.
Yay!! Great project..can't wait to try it out!!!
This is really cute. I have a rather boring lamp shade that might get painted this four day weekend....
Wow, this is lovely! I'm on a bit of a doily kick right now, so I'll be using your tute as soon as I can track down a lamp to play guinea-pig. Thanks so much for posting this...