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| Chalk Paint and Golden mixed |
I've had this old vintage lamp lingering in the garage for ever.
When I happened upon this tutorial for changing a lamp from electrical to cordless, I knew exactly what to do with the lamp.
In case you don't remember, the Garden Palace has no electricity.
I have been spending a lot of sweaty hours working in the attic of the GP and I tell you when I'm over there I get filled to full and overflow with inspiration.
When I first saw the tutorial I ordered the necessary supplies for the lamp change but waited for color inspiration.
The lamp was ugly and was spray painted gold.
Ugly gold.
The attic spoke.
My color palette in the attic will be very light pastel and creamy white colors because there are only two windows and the GP has no electricity.
I have big plans for aqua in the attic.
So the first thing on the list is an aqua lamp.
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| lamp in progress |
I have one little Old White sample jar of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
I decided to experiment with mixing my own aqua.
I used Golden heavy body Cobalt Teal and little by little added to a puddle of Old White chalk paint until I had the color I wanted.
The thing that I love about Annie Sloan paint is
no preparation is needed and
it sticks to anything.
For example, this old spray painted metal lamp.
While in the experimental mode, I decided to add a paper napkin.
I probably could have made a better choice of napkin but I like it OK.
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| Painted Lamp |
After painting and adding the napkin, I used the Annie Sloan clear wax first and then I add the dark wax.
I do love the aged effect.
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| Painted Lamp |
When I was staging the photo showing the end result, I realized how pretty these two paintings look with the lamp.
Aqua is one of my colors.
FYI: the bulb is a 12volt LED, the kind used in RVs.
I'm now on the hunt for a shade which will be another GP project in the future.
♥
Love the lamp, the napkin, the process, the story - thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteand thank you for looking!
DeleteI love it! I think it's gorgeous and I love the color. I'm a turquoise girl, so aqua is good for me! You did such a great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear Marian, I'm all about turquoise and aqua and every thing in between. Love to wear it too.
DeleteI love this....as someone who uses chalk paint, loves redoing items and uses aqua all the time....it speaks to me on every level. I can't wait to see what you choose for a shade. Shades are fab to redo/repaint/cover!! XO
ReplyDeleteYes I want to "redo" a shade. I don't seem to have time to go thrifting for one. Or should I just buy a new one to redo. Not sure what I want to do to it but I'll just wait for it to speak to me.
DeleteI just realized I had seen the tutorial before but they used strip lights......how did you create yours with the bulb?
ReplyDeleteI did buy the strip lights and then when I went back to look again they had added a little edit about the RV 12 Volt lights. Amazon has them and so I got 4. I'm thinking I will rig the led strip lights someway on the rafters in the attic. Maybe.Gotta figure out how to add a switch. I know it is doable.
Deletebeautiful, sharon! soooo gorgeous with your paintings!
ReplyDeletei've never heard of annie sloan's wax before and now i'm wondering how it would be to protect watercolors. my main 'thing' is toxicity and odor. is it toxic and (in your opinion) does it have a strong odor?
thank you. : )
xoxo
Lynne, I'll have to experiment on the watercolor question. The wax does have an odor but not too much. I guess you might say it is toxic as there is a pretty standard "HARMFUL" health notice on it.
DeleteYou might find more infor on there web site. http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html
thanks, sharon... i did go to the annie sloan site and also searched for info about toxicity, but couldn't find much. if it says 'harmful' on the container, i guess it has some kind of petroleum based solvent/s in it.
Deletemy understanding is that you can put pretty much any wax on watercolors, the question is whether they 'dim' the watercolors down or not. the waxes i've tried so far suck the life right out of them, but i remain hopeful. : )
Sharon, Gorgeous! Gorgeous lamp and your painting is so lovely!!! Aqua is my all time favorite color also. (I used to wear Lacy Aqua eyeshadow by Yardley...remember that?) I have been looking at Annie Sloan paint recently in order to cover an old dresser, and you just gave me the push I needed to get started. Love the napkins on the base of the lamp. I just found some lovely napkins at the dollar store. Maybe they will end up on the base of a old lamp that I need to do something with. Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteGet going on your projects. I love to inspire! And thanks
DeleteThere is so much excitement centered around your Garden Palace. I can't wait to see each and every new item you add. The cordless lamp is ingenious. I looked up the tutorial and it seems a bit difficult but definitely doable. Your beautiful, soft looking paintings do go with the muted, soft shade of aqua. I've also never heard of Annie Sloan paints but will try them. I was just thinking of what fun it would be to have a girlfriend party in your palace. You'd feel like a kid again-one who has found a secret getaway. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The lamp turned out not to be so difficult since I used the bulb instead of the LED strip. And yes there is a lot of excitement centered around the Garden Palace. I thought my passion was gone but all I have to do is show up and I feel the surge of passion and excitement.
DeleteReading about the Garden Palace is always exciting. I really must try this lamp idea - or I should say have DH try it. I'm not much good with electrical wiring and never have soldered anything. I have the perfect lamp though. Thanks for the link to instructions.
ReplyDeleteDarla
It is a really neat idea. I actually didn't end up soldering anything. On the connection to the battery I just twisted the wires together and then used electrical tape. And since I used the RV bulb, I didn't have to solder at the top.
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