Swing Arm Lamp Makeover

I have a tendency to stash future furniture projects. Sometimes I wait for inspiration to strike and then other times I know exactly what I’m going to do with something the minute I get it home.

This swing arm lamp has officially sat in our bedroom, unfinished I might add, for over a year. Yep.

When I told you that our master bedroom was home to about 6 unfinished projects, I really wasn’t kidding… Please tell me I’m not the only one with a room like that!

It was time to scratch one of those items off the list…

When I found the swing arm lamp, I knew that it could be a total beauty.

I was right.

Swing Arm Lamp Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

But, here’s the thing… it started out as combination of brass and silver…

Before | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then I sprayed it white….

Before | The Wood Grain Cottage

And it sat like that (in our bedroom) for a solid year. True Story.

I’m thinking that for some odd reason the white paint stopped the makeover process.

BUT…

A year later and after a few coats of oil rubbed bronze spray paint, I have an entirely different lamp. Plus, to give it a true & total makeover, I splurged on a new lamp shade from Target.

I love it!

Swing Arm Lamp Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

Now for the big question… Why did I wait so long to finish it?

Swing Arm Lamp Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

It took about 10 minutes to transform…

Swing Arm Lamp Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

And the really funny thing is, that it could have looked this good for a year now!

But, on a different note, I’m pretty sure that it was made to go with my wicker rocking chair and side stool. They complete each other!

Smiley

Shayna | The Wood Grain Cottage

*HAVE A VERY HAPPY & SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!*

30 Comments

      1. Yes Shayna, great minds do think alike. : )
        Wanted to also say I love your new pic on the side bar. You look totally different…but in a good way.

        1. Awe- THANK YOU so very much, Cheryl! I’m so happy that you like the new picture… the other one was old! 🙂
          -Shayna

    1. THANK YOU so very much, Amanda! I think it looks so much better too! The perfect mini makeover! 🙂
      -Shayna

  1. Before I could write my answer to your question”why”, you answered what I was thinking…the rocker inspired the lamp…love it! Simple chic and effortless I tell ya! Nicely done, Shayna:) Now, if only I could do that…lol;)
    Blessings,
    M

    1. THANK YOU so very much, M! You’re right— the rocker finally gave me the inspiration I needed to finish it! 🙂
      -Shayna

  2. I have a shiny brass floor lamp that was horribly expensive when it was bought. Can you spray paint over lacquered brass do you think?

    I love your reading nook – it’s perfect!!

    1. THANK YOU so much, Anne! Yes, you can spray paint over lacquered brass. You could either rub it down with a bit of sandpaper to remove the sheen, or use spray paint primer before the actual spray paint. Light coats would probably be best too. 🙂
      I hope that helps!
      -Shayna

  3. They DO compliment each other well! And to be fair, there were a whole lot a holidays between now and a year ago. You totally have justification to set a project aside! Love it 😉

    1. THANK YOU so much, Corinna! You totally just made me smile… there were a lot of holidays! 🙂
      -Shayna

  4. it’s beautiful Shayna! I can’t believe how this lamped looked first and now it looks well with your beautiful chair! 🙂 great makeover! 🙂
    Hope you had a beautiful 4th yesterday and wish you a beautiful weekend too! 🙂

    1. THANK YOU, Ingrid! It looks much, much better now! 🙂
      I hope you had a great 4th too!
      -Shayna

  5. This is gorgeous! I would so overlook something like this in my ‘items to restore’ searches….but will definitely keep an eye out for this type of thing in future. I love your stuff!
    alice :o)

  6. I have way more than 6 projects stashed in my bedroom waiting to be finished and I also have a gold swing arm lamp that I have been contemplating painting. You have now sold me. I am definitely going with a dark finish.

    1. Hi PJ! I’m so glad I’m not the only one with unfinished projects in my bedroom! Good luck with you swing arm lamp- it will look fabulous! 🙂
      -Shayna

  7. I love your home! I just found your post about spray painting your swing arm lamp and am wondering how you protected the swinging joints. I have been worried about clogging them with paint so have been afraid to do this with my bedside lamps. Thanks.

    1. Hi Vel! 🙂 Thanks so much! I don’t remember doing anything too specific when I paint the lamp. I sprayed the swinging joints the same as the rest of lamp. I haven’t had any issue swinging the lamp. Just be sure not to spray that area with heavy coats… more light, even coats. I hope that helps! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *