Monday, May 24, 2010

Milk Jug Lamp

Hello!

Did you have a good weekend?

It was a busy one over here at TLC!
Among other things, I finallllllly finished re-doing the jug lamp I got last year on the Endless Yard Sale...

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It's no longer blue, it no longer has a fabric decal on the front, and the shade is much spiffier now too.

Check it out!

Up at the top of the base, under a few layers of grime, I discovered a pretty copper color...

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And underneath the huge fabric ship sticker, I found the words

Mitchell Dairy Co
Bridgeport CT 63



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They're sort of engraved into the metal, so I used an old sponge tip applicator to rub some light brown eyebrow shadow into them so they'd stand out a little more...

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I used Rustoleum's "Heirloom White" spray paint (satin finish) on the base...

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And last but not least, I re-covered the shade in a textural, neutral-colored fabric and a bit of jute trim I had left over from my chandelier project...

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The fabric came from Claudia's Cloth Barn (here in Prattville, AL), and the jute trim came from M&J Trimming

Here she is!
All made up and ready to sit on my bedside table...

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I'm stoked about how it turned out!



Especially when I saw that this one (available at Bellacor) costs $524.90...

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My milk jug lamp cost just $30 altogether.

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout Willis!



Happy Monday!



PS- It looks like I removed the handle in the photos- but I didn't! It's still there!

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105 comments:

Cat said...

That is simply fantastic! :) love it!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! What a great transformation!

Anonymous said...

Layla, love the lamp! Aren't DIY projects so fun... and worth the work!

Unknown said...

Love it - especially that shade.

chris said...

It looks amazing. I wonder did you know it was embossed or did you just get lucky? Either was I think it's fab.

Good job Layla!

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love this! How cool to discover the engraving behind the label. You did a beautiful job on this, Layla! WOW! Would you mind sending the information about the braided twine and fabric you used to recover the shade? Thanks!

Leslie said...

awesome!!
only you would be so lucky as to find the writing under a fabric ship decal!!looks like you took the handles off too...

love it. can't wait to see the finished room!

The Charm of Home said...

Nice lamp makeover! Love the lettering you found underneath the sticker. That is when it gets really exciting when you make something over.

Cass@Happiness Lives Here said...

Super chic! What a terrific find to discover the embossing behind the lable.

TheVirginiaHouse said...

How cool that you found that under the sticker! I love how it turned out!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I am unbelievably jealous! I love it.

Lynn Kellan said...

Wow - Layla - you really have a gift to see what things can be!

Anonymous said...

Your lamp turned out so great! What a fun surprise to find the dairy wording under the sticker. I like what you did with the shade and the jute trim is a nice touch! Your lamp looks SO much better than that black lamp you found for $500+.

Anonymous said...

I was so excited about your lamp makeover, I skipped over the part where you mentioned the fabric. I just love this and now want to go on my own endless yard sale adventure!

COTTAG3 said...

I'll never understand why someone would cover up that lettering with blue and a sticker. Thanks for giving it it's life back. It's beautiful.

Courtney said...

Love it! How did you recover the lamp shade?

Anonymous said...

Would have loved to see a video of when you discovered the engraving.The lamp is smashing! The lamp and shade spew cottage!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

It turned out just darling!

Red Door Home said...

What a great transformation. What a lucky find having the letters under the sticker. Love teh shade too!

Virginia said...

Wow! What a turn around! I love this lamp. You did a really impressive job. Isn't it fun to do something like this, then find something similar for huge bucks at some designer place! I love it when that happens!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Holy crap that is like a thousand time better! Wow !

heidig said...

That's unbelievable! I love it.

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna said...

I like! Especially the lettering that you found under the sticker!

Kelly

Margitta said...

I LOVE this lamp! Lucky girl... And I love your blog. Your kitchen has been such an inspiration to my kitchen makeover: http://whiteaslinen.blogspot.com/2010/05/det-tar-tre-timer-kjre-til-ikea.html
Greetings from Norway! Margitta

Janine Claire Robinson said...

Wow!! It looks so stunning - even way better than the super expensive one!!! So very cool :) You deserve to smile big and broad after that!! Love Janine

Urban Farmgirl said...

GET OUT! That is fantastic! Man, were you lucky finding those words under the crazy ship fabric! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

~mary~

Jenni said...

I think I like yours better than the pricey one anyway--especially the choice of shade. The eyeliner trick was genius!

Kathy@ uptodateinteriors.com said...

It is beautiful! I am so excited for you!

Unknown said...

Can you tell us how you re-did the shade!

Thanks
April

Heather said...

Beautiful!

fiddler's wife said...

Waaaaaaaaaay cooler without the ship decal thingie and also better than the spendy one. GREAT JOB!

Rosemary said...

I love it!! It's so great now!!
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary

Samantha2818 said...

Wow - this looks amazing. I honestly would never have spotted this lamp's potential - you have such a great eye!

M.J. said...

what an eye you have! It is just over the top fabulous!!!

Cathy said...

I would never have have bought that lamp the way it was. Amazing. I totally love what you did with it.

Duly Inspired said...

It's amazing the talent you have, and really the eye that you have to see what something "can" be with a little love and attention and a change here and there. I'm learning so much from you and my own mind has completely opened up to transforming ideas. :-)

Daralynn said...

I am new to your blog, and am loving it. Lo and behold, I am from Bridgeport,CT, so it was nice to see a little shout out here. My father-in-law used to get his milk delivered by Mitchell Dairy when he was growing up- I have heard about it many times! Nice to see a little piece of our local history here in CT turned into something so beautiful! Great job.

My Cottage Charm said...

I'm glad you put that last snippet about the handle, cause I was gonna ask you where it went! lol
I doesn't even look like the same lamp...great job! I am lovin' that jute trim too! :)
Have a great day my friend!
Melissa

Country Contemporary said...

Lovely job, Layla! The lamp is soooo much nicer with the little shout-out to its original function as a milk jug revealed.

Mz V said...

This may be my favorite project to date. I know, I say that about everything you do..but this time it's true! This lamp is just out-of this world fabulous!!! Well done.

Lori said...

I like your lamp better than the expensive one. Quick question...how do you keep your jute from unraveling? I've tried fray-check, but I think I am now going to try sewing it. Can't wait to see the lamp in your bedroom.

Stephanie said...

That came out SO great! Really great job!

Amber said...

I love this! If I had seen that lamp at a flea market, I would have kept walking. I have a thing or two to learn!

Jane@Little House of Projects said...

I love that! And I'm so glad to see that someone else has used makeup in this way!

Anonymous said...

That is soooo awesome, I love it! I would like to know what you would have done if there had been no writing on it, would it have just been plane? That would have been terrific too, but the letters are a big bonus. Thanks for sharing, I am loving your blog!

Marie Anne said...

oh wow! That turned out awesome! What a great surprise to have those words underneath!

Mary said...

I like yours better than the expensive one. :)

Simply LKJ said...

Love it! I agree...I like it better than the pricey one. It looks very cottage/beach (my fav decor).

For My Rat Pigs said...

So beautiful! I love the one you redid over the expensive one!

Jean said...

great make over of a make over. neat that it had the embossing.

Anonymous said...

and yours looks so much better than the store-bought one...

Kathy said...

Awesome re-do Layla! It's better than the $500 one. Love the shade with the jute trim. I've got a lamp or two that could use the same treatment.
I found a pr. of old milk strainers at a yard sale this past weekend. I'm going to make some pendant lights with them - can't wait!

Fenima said...

wow, awesome Layla. Love it.

Jill said...

When you first showed us that lamp in the other post I kinda' thought, "Oh." But wow you really made it look current and gorgeous!!
Love it!
Hugs,
Jill

Anonymous said...

Layla,

Great transformation from yard sale find to earning its spot in TLC!

Your Friend,
Deborah

Cottage Dreamers said...

I'm just amazed at what a good eye you have! I would have never given that lamp a second glance and now it looks incredible.
☺ Celeste

Nicole @ the style hatch said...

Now that is awesome! Why would anybody want to hide that with a fabric piece? Love it!!

Nicole

KarenB said...

Wow, what a treasure! It turned out fabulous!

Carisa Knox said...

You are freaking amazing. Seriously! When I saw the lamp "before" I thought "there is no way Layla can turn that into anything worth keeping. Some things are simply meant to fade away never to be seen again." Boy was I ever wrong. Love, Love, Love the lamp. You've got a gift.
;-)
Carisa

ggfblog said...

Layla, I love the lamp! You did a wonderful job as always. Exciting news -- I saw that your kitchen is featured on the HGTV website again today for painted kitchen renos! If only they knew that you transformed it TWICE and both versions are amazing. Oh also I saw your comment about Tybee a few days ago and I will be there in June also! I'll have to email you the details because I'd love to meet up.

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Wow! I like yours SO much better! Great job and what a find!

Christie said...

Your lamp is so much cuter than the $524 one too!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

As the previous comment said, yours is better! Janell

Tracey Johnson said...

Such a cute look! Very cool and hip and expensive looking. Way to go!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

I'd be stoked, too! What a fabulous find! I love that you see the beauty in things under the layers of the not so beautiful.

Great job! Who would have thunk?

Becky

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

And you should be excited, gf!! WOW, it looks great & I love that it had that engraving underneath. A hidden treasure. It's beeeutiful.

Staci at Craftify It ! said...

Where can I get some of your luck!?! I keep dreaming of finding wood planks behind my drywall. And now you have discovered lettering behind your lamp sticker. Not fair Layla! But I'll keep enjoying your finds for now;)

The lamp looks incredible! A perfect touch in your home!

Unknown said...

OMG - That turned out amazingly well! You are truly a handy gal. Love the lamp.

nana said...

Your lamp is MUCH prettier than the $500 version!

Anna said...

Gorgeous!! Super gorgeous. Question: how do you get a smooth, even finish with spray paint? I'm just a terrible spray painter and would LOVE some tips. Maybe fodder for a blog post??

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

It looks great Layla! Thanks (again and again and again) for all of the inspiration!

juliet said...

Awesome transformation! I like yours a lot better than the expensive one. Nice work : )

Ally said...

You're a genius. It must be said!

Tessa said...

L-o-v-e it! I actually like yours better than the expense one. So adorable! I really love the fabric on the shade too.

Benn's Wife said...

I love it! Thanks for sharing!

Shana said...

Simply gorgeous. Just like everything you do. I'm amazed at your ability to see something kinda lame and see its great potential. :)

Kim said...

Love the lamp redo!!! Lots! Love it lots! :o)

CassieMarie said...

That's awesome, I love it! And I'm also so very very happy to finally find another Alabama blogger! I live in Clarke County, near Thomasville. I will most def. be following you and would love for you to check out my blog as well!

http://www.apinksouthernoak.blogspot.com

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Your lamp looks amazing!! What a treasure to find the words on it. And I love the fabric you used for the shade. It is amazing what a coat of white spray paint can do to something, isn't it? Love & blessings from NC!

Shannon said...

LOVE IT! Looks way better than the expensive one!

judi said...

layla,
the lamp is GORG-eous! it was well worth the wait, for sure. to think that someone covered up that glorious lettering...and how cool it came to reside in the "lettered" cottage!
judi ;)
the1829farmhouse.blogspot.com

lisaroy said...

wow! that looks fantastic! what luck to find fantastic writing under that label and highlighting it with eyeshadow is brilliant! I LOVE how it turned out!! :)

Lou said...

Gorgeous makeover Layla... lots of lamp-love going on!

BTW, I saw something on your site with the initials LPK (I think)... my initials are LBK- so close- we could be sisters (if only we weren't half a world away... I'm down in not-so-sunny Sydney).
xLou

Unknown said...

Don't you wish you could take your "finds" back to where you got them and say," Look what I made it look like!!" It's great how you use random items to help in your re-do's ( eye brow shadow) I use leather shoe polish to age furniture, haha. Ya just never know what's useful!

Anonymous said...

looks FAB layla!

Whitney said...

It looks fantastic. I especially love it because I was born in Bridgeport. You are such an inspiration!

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

Fabulous. You always inspire me!

Miss Mustard Seed said...

It turned out great! What a discovery under that ship sticker. I love surprises like that. Well done, girl.

Heidi said...

Your lamp is WAY better than the $500 one! I was looking at it thinking that would be so perfect in my Ocean Cottage...and then you photographed it with the starfish...aaahh! It is beautiful!

Heidi

Sandra said...

Wow - you lamp is MUCH nicer than the very expensive store bought one.

We have a large milk cannister (about 3.5 ft tall) sitting out on our deck. Actually, we have a couple of them, so I may try turning one of them into a lamp after seeing how well your turned out!

(the other) Sandra

Debbers said...

Congratulations for have two of the top twenty favorite spaces.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45814

Anonymous said...

Wow that lamp is the niftiest thing EVER! I never would have thought of doing something like that - thanks for continually inspiring with your fabulous ideas. :)

Gina said...

S E R I O U S L Y !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE THE EYESHADOW IDEA ... VERY CREATIVE LAYLA :o) YOUR LAMP TURNED OUT SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE PRICIER ONE ... AND THE SHADE COMPLETELY ROCKS. Your video blips crack me up :O) Gina

Ann said...

Good for you! It looks beautiful.

Barnwood Urbanist said...

Wow, Layla! That looks fabulous! You are so lucky to find the milk company marking, too. What a find! Unbelievable!

Caitlin @ That House on the Corner said...

Beautiful work Layla! You never fail to impress! Love the eyeshadow idea-- gotta love being creative!

Thanks for sharing yet another beautiful piece!

xoxo
Caitlin @ That House on the Corner

SweetSimpleLife said...

This is great! I love the seaside look - so cottage :)

SweetSimpleLife said...

This is great! I love the seaside look - so cottage :)

Unknown said...

What a wonderful transformation, Layla. I love the neutral colours and the texture of the shade, but my favourite part is the uncovered Dairy stamping. We love anything dairy here at our home! Love love it.

Tracey said...

I love that you used eye brow shadow--and oh that video clip brought back memories and made me laugh!

Tanya said...

Of course you peel off the sticker and it has an amazing surprise underneath! Can you come to my house because I've pulled down drywall (flood) and peeled stickers off of all sorts of things and all I find is "ugly"?! ha ha

3egirls said...

Love it!!! Especially the shade!

Bargain Hoot said...

I Love the whole thing!!

Rene'
@bargainhoot

Julie said...

I really love that lamp!

Emily K. said...

I would love to know how you recovered the shade, have you done a post on that that I could refer to?