Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Flea Market Finds- Fishing Basket Lamp Base & an Architectural Element



Sometime last month, I came across this lamp base at my local flea.
It's tag read, "Fishing Basket Lamp- $10".
Of course it instantly appealled to my love of all things sea-inspired, so I bought it. Now I just need to find the perfect spot for it, and the perfect shade for it, of course.

Upon my initial glance at it, I was reminded of this $79 base that Pottery Barn is selling:



...and this one they're selling for $159...


The $10 price tag on mine made me giddy with excitement! :-)

That same day, I also came home with this wooden, architectural element that cost just $7.50:




I'm not sure if I'll hang it with this side facing the room...



...or this side:





I'm not sure where I'll use it yet. It works in so many different places. It does just happen to fit perfectly over the door that leads to our Master Bedroom, so it may end up there.

Obviously, it needs a paint job...which from the looks of the all the little spindles, is not going to be an easy task. :-)

As soon as it stops raining today, Kevin is going to start on the "Beer Garden Bench" project. I keep looking out the window of my home office, praying for the clouds to part. He gets a kick out of my impatience. :-) I'll "tweet" on Twitter the second he starts!

42 comments:

  1. Love your finds! I actually kind like the back of the architectural piece just as is!

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  2. Oh you lucky ****** Americans!!!!!!You live in such a big country that there are still loads of bargains to be had. ( I was just kidding with the pretend swearing !! ) Here in the U.K. it's getting harder and harder to find lovely little treasures like those. Cant wait to see it painted. Take photos please. XXXX

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  3. Your new lamp totally rocks! (the price too)

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  4. Fabulous finds!!!! Nothing beats good ol' stuff - especially when you can get a good deal! Old things are better than new any which way you look at it!!

    Becky

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  5. On your Thursday, June 25th blog entry you gave us the opportunity to tour the Southern Living Giveaway Homes. The Sugarberry Cottage in Beauford, SC has a guest bedroom with a lamp made from a fishing basket. The whole room was done with a fishing theme which I noted as I have a son who is an avid fisherman. The architectural piece that you recently purchased is amazing! I am sure that you will find a great place for it in your home.

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  6. Love the finds! I like the backside of that peice and think it would look good above the doorway.

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  7. Layla, I almost bought that lamp base last week when I saw it but passed it up (my bad) but I thought of you when I saw it! Didn't see the architectural piece but I have several around the house I haven't found a home for yet, just waiting on a light bulb moment.

    Judy

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  8. Awesome lamp find! Can't wait to see how the architectural piece turns out after you use your magic!

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  9. Back side! Back side!
    (Now there's a comment I never saw myself leaving...) :)

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  10. Great lamp base! What a find. And I like the back of the fragment too. Are you sure it has to be painted?

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  11. Gotta love a great, affordable find! I love the back side of that architectural piece! Can hardly wait to see the basket lamp with her proper hot on!

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  12. I like the back of the piece, unfinished, too. :)

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  13. What an interesting lamp - I've never seen one like that before. I love the idea of finding things at flea markets and knowing that it's not going to look the same as what every other person has.

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  14. Layla,

    Oh no....PUH-LEEZE don't paint the backside. I adore the charm of the chippy, messy history, and I see I am not alone. It reminds me of your antiqued dresser everyone raves about.
    If necessary, you could steel wool it gently to bring back/alter the current finish while still preserving it.
    If you must, how about painting one side only, as a compromise?
    Ok-how funny for me to have such an opinion about someone else's found object...I guess it just goes to show I am a 'preservationist' at heart. :)
    I am wondering too, did you ever post the song title and artist from your smile box awhile back? Several people asked about it, myself included. I love jazz, and it was great.
    Thanks, Layla-Happy day,
    Holisticgal Jen

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  15. love your little architectural find! i would turn it backwards...but that's just me!

    can't wait to see the new project!

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  16. love it!!

    Susan @ www.peanutpetunia.blogspot.com

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  17. Really cool finds....I like the back of the architectural piece.

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  18. what a find! I've been eyeing those PB lamps too :)

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  19. Your architectural piece looks like the top of a headboard for at twin bed. Is it that large? Looks like the headboard of the bed I grew up in!

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  20. Turn it the second way and don't even paint it....so cool!

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  21. Layla...you are so lucky to find such fabulous finds at your flea market. Boy, I wish we had a flea market like the ones you go to in my area. You are so talented and so inspiring to my!! Love what you did with the lamp and I think you should leave the architectural piece just like you found it!!

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  22. Your lamp blows the more expensive ones away.

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  23. You are a girl after my own heart! I love the vintage, rustic appeal of your lamp much better than the more expensive ones!! ;)

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  24. Love the lamp and don't ya just love when you see the same item in Pottery Barn for ridiculously high prices and you got something BETTER for less!?!? Pleeeeeease don't paint your architecural piece, hang it with the back showing...simply gorgeous!
    Toni

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  25. i love the back - the last shot, the way it is.

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  26. Cool pieces I love the back of architectural one!

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  27. I love the basket lamp, and I love that you have comparables at such high prices--yours was definitely a steal!

    As for the decorative wooden piece, it would be very pretty over a door. Or, attached to the wall over a twin-size bed. And I would totally attack it with a couple cans of spray paint before taking a brush to it. Lots of angles, but the spray seems like it would be so much quicker.

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  28. I like the back of the architectural find better than the front. I like the messiness of it too. I would want to clean it up but I like the combo of tones. I love the lamp as well.

    Cheri
    www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
    come by for my GIVE AWAY

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  29. Great architectural piece. It would be hard for me to decide which side I like best too.
    I love incorporating old pieces like that into our home. I think that is what gives our home its character. I thought my husband was going to flip out during the construction of our home when I brought home a pair of old crusty columns from the flea market. But he loved them so much that he redid the entry to our living room to accommodate them.

    xo
    Brooke

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  30. I have just decided to head out to the architectural salvage store at lunch after reading your blog today!! My living room makeover from your consultation is almost done...:) Loving it.

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  31. I am IN LOVE with the lamp. It's funny, I saw that in PB catalog and have been keeping my eye out for something similar while thrifting.

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  32. Such a lovely,lovely find. The comparison to the other lamps have me speechless.

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  33. Wow! Love that piece. Love your blog Layla, you are truly talented! I'm an avid follower as I too love the coastal, cottage, sea look. Keep the eye candy comin girl!

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  34. You are perpetually, incredibly resourceful!

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  35. Hello Layla - love that lamp! Ooh...can't wait to see what you do with it and where her new home will be. And the architectural piece is so cool! Thank you for sharing your great finds with us.

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  36. Layla, you shopped for me again! I saw the Pottery Barn lamps and had to buy them. Mind you, I've never even been inside a Pottery Barn...but they have their website and the lamps were perfect for a new bedroom we have! Thanks, kiddo!

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  37. I do not think the back needs a paint job at all. I love it just the way it is. Antiqued and worn naturally.

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  38. Can't wait to see what you do with this one!

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  39. I don't know how big that piece is, but it almost looks like the part of an old piano that holds the sheet music. Very cool!

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