Good Will…Good Advice!
I’m crashing the end of Thrifty Decor Chick’s Goodwill Party, in the hopes that I can count on all of you brilliant bloggers and readers for some good advice about my Goodwill find.
I found the lovely lamp at Goodwill a while back for a mere $5. I really like the shape and style. I could paint it, but probably won’t since it’s already a little naturally distressed and that is what everyone is going for, right? What I did not find was a shade to go with it and have been searching since. I haven’t had a lot of luck finding any thing cheap, which is always the first priority with me. Just a little while ago I grabbed this shade for something like $8 at IKEA (yes, the plastic wrap is still on). I’m trying to decide if it works with the lamp, will work with a little tweaking, or if I should go in another direction.
This picture is to give it a little context. Did I mention that while getting ready for the birthday and baptism (and a bunch of other stuff) my parents and I wallpapered the wall beneath my stairs? This gives you a pretty good view of how it came out. I’ve planned to do a whole post about what I’ve learned about wallpaper in this century, but we’ll see if I get around to it. Anyway, the paper stays. The table will either be painted or stained a very dark brown (it’s a little too distressed!), and I have lots of plans for wallhangings, like an artful family tree, and silhouettes, a la Nie. I am decorating with a lot of reds through out my house and some lighter greens. I’m going for more of a transitional feel. I like classic lines, but prefer a more modern, simplified take on them. That is what I was hoping to accomplish with the IKEA shade. Bring in a little green and a little more modern feel to this old-fashioned setting, but I’m afraid it might be too modern. What do you think? Do you….
a) Think the size, design, color, etc. of the shade is great and will work well when I finish decorating the space.
b) Like the shade, but it needs to be embellished a little. Maybe some fringe or pom poms around the bottoms, or a ribbon around the middle to dress it up a little (what would you do?).
c) Think the shape and size are good, but don’t like the pattern there at all. I should cover it with a more complimentary fabric or paper.
d) Use the shade elsewhere or take it back to IKEA. With a little more persistence I can find a better suited lamp shade for cheap. (What color, shape, size would you be looking for)
e) None of the above (Tell me if you have a different idea).
If gotten such great advice from blogland in the past, I’m thinking of making it a regular feature. Thanks for all of your comments!
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I vote C, but considering the fact that I am now living in a chaotic mess of boxes and furniture, I doubt my decorating sense has much merit.
I am looking forward to reading about your wallpapering experience.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24911212
I am not this Etsy artist but how cute would something like this be on this table next to your chic lamp in maybe the same green instead of the black damask? Or even the black damask but the stripe through it being the same green as the leaves? Just some ideas. . .I can stare at one wall like this and have a million scenarios, it's a sickness 😉
Like I said total sickness but here is another random idea. White table runner with white bowl and same color green candies in it.
Wal-mart has lamp shades for $5 right now. A pretty good buy and then you can embellish it however you'd like, even recover it for that price. I do believe they are more of a square shape, but that wouldn't look bad with the lamp base. Just a thought
I like the shade.. but I don't think it matches your wall paper and pom-poms, etc is too expected and not very modern. I would use it somewhere else or return it.
I would switch to a crisp white or solid bright green shade and consider adding a silhouette with cut black paper/tissue paper glued to the inside so it shows when the lamp is on. This would compliment your nie silhouettes (lovely idea!!) and they could be traditional family shapes or a branch with leaves/birds, etc.
I like the shade.. but I don't think it matches your wall paper and pom-poms, etc is too expected and not very modern. I would use it somewhere else or return it.
I would switch to a crisp white or solid bright green shade and consider adding a silhouette with cut black paper/tissue paper glued to the inside so it shows when the lamp is on. This would compliment your nie silhouettes (lovely idea!!) and they could be traditional family shapes or a branch with leaves/birds, etc.
I like the shade.. but I don't think it matches your wall paper and pom-poms, etc is too expected and not very modern. I would use it somewhere else or return it.
I would switch to a crisp white or solid bright green shade and consider adding a silhouette with cut black paper/tissue paper glued to the inside so it shows when the lamp is on. This would compliment your nie silhouettes (lovely idea!!) and they could be traditional family shapes or a branch with leaves/birds, etc.
I vote C. And the silhouettes. I think the pattern on the shade clashes with the pattern on the wallpaper (which I LOVE). Sorry, though: I won't be any help on the replacement… I kind of freeze with ideas. Ü
I vote C! take it back! Go for a solid shade, maybe with a more unique shape that you will be able to dress up a bit. Love the idea of adding tassels or a ribbon but you can't do that with this shade – it would look strange with the leaf pattern.
oops – I meant D
I LOVE the shade but think it's too much with the wallpaper (beautiful by the way!!) What about something in a solid with a fun trim? You don't too much right there, competing with the wall.
Hi!
First – what beautiful wallpaper! I can't wait to see more! 😉
And why can't my good will carry pretty things? lol I love the lamp. I agree with the others that a solid shade would work best. Pretty table too!
Nice to "meet" you!
Enjoy the weekend!
D- get something cheap at walmart and embellish it…
see this post here
http://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/2008/04/diy_lampshade.html
I love the shape and size of the shade. I actually like the color ant pattern very much too. I just don't know if I like it in that context. I think the patterns compete too much. It is great, though.
The wallpaper looks great too.
Have a great weekend!
*Tricia
I love the shape and size of the shade. I actually like the color ant pattern very much too. I just don't know if I like it in that context. I think the patterns compete too much. It is great, though.
The wallpaper looks great too.
Have a great weekend!
*Tricia
I love the shape and size of the shade. I actually like the color ant pattern very much too. I just don't know if I like it in that context. I think the patterns compete too much. It is great, though.
The wallpaper looks great too.
Have a great weekend!
*Tricia
Hmmmm…. I love the shade, but I don't think it compliments the wall paper. It's like that space has conflicting personalities. I would cover it, and definitely add pom poms (because I love them so).
I love a good find- looks like you have tons of options…and they all sound wonderful, let me throw one more into the mix- If you are planning to leave the lamp there by the wallpaper- I kind of like the two different looks- but maybe a lamp shade this is totally different- I just made a light fixture out of thin hanging shells- I think something like that would look glamorous with you wall- paper. I think westelm carrys capzi lamp shades- I've even seen them at pier one.
Love your creativity.