10.21.2008

WFMW: Easy Lampshade Rehab

This project "works-for-me" so well, I can't believe it took me this long to try it.  I wanted to add a night light in my downstairs powder room, and I found those lampshades at Joann's (or Michael's or wherever) that have a sticky exterior for easy fabric attachment.  I bought some cute fabric, grosgrain ribbon and a little dangly fringe.  Just smooth the fabric over the sticky side of the lampshade, trim it to fit, and use a glue gun to seal the edges.  Then use the glue gun again to attach the ribbon and fringe.  Easy!


It was so easy, in fact, that I decided to make one for my daughter's bathroom upstairs.  Same process...and about 15 minutes of work.  So rewarding!  Instant gratification!

Finally, I had this lampshade in our upstairs hallway, and I figured, Why not?  This time I bought some spray glue to use on the lampshade, then attached the fabric.  In the case of a lampshade, I also needed to fold one edge over to create a pretty seam, and then I used the glue gun to seal it up.  The rest of the process was the same as with the night lights.  A little fringe, and voila!

Now my only problem is overkill.  One day my husband is going to turn around and the light in the garage is going to be all covered with fabric and fringe.  I'm sure he will love that!

P.S. All these lampshades were bought at Joann Fabrics.  The night lights and shades came as a set, but the lampshade for the little lamp above was sold separately.  Just FYI!

Works for me!


59 comments:

Amy said...

I love these! Are the nightlight and shade sold as a set, or did you add the shade to the nightlight from elsewhere?

Unknown said...

So adorable! Like always! I am so tired now after waiting up to post at WFM Wednesday! I am off to bed, but I am awfully glad I got to see your post first! You have beautiful ideas!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

These are adorable. Do something to your husband's...just for fun...come on! :)

Carry Grace said...

Love this project. I love the ones that don't take a lot of time.

I love the fabric on the one in your daughter's room.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I love the lamp with the toile pattern! Great idea!

AJ said...

I've been wanting to do this! I had to laugh at your garage comment:)

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Haha, you husband is going to walk in and everything is going to be covered in fabric and fringe, haaa! Super cute!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is really neat! Thanks for sharing!

Betsy said...

I love making lampshades. I have recovered many for my house but I want to try the nightlight.

Jennifer said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Looks great! Such a cute idea!

Anonymous said...

those turned out so cute! i have a try of those night lights around the house and love them... i might have to recover some of them. those would make very nice teacher gifts!
~nicole

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I really like those shades. I collect lamps. I have them everywhere.

Sarah said...

The lights are so great! We are in the process of remodeling our bathroom so this will be a great project to add that special touch once we are finished!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Why do you do this to me??? I just love it...I may have to go out and do this TODAY!

Seriously, though I have been on the HUNT for a nightlight for my first floor bathroom and can't find anything. It never occured to me to make it!!! How pretty they are!!!

-Sandy Toes

Jodee said...

Those turned out so cute! I think the garage definitely needs one in a masculine fabric! What does your hubby like -- hunting, sports, whatever?! That would be hilarious!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Love it! sooo cute-every one of them!

daniella said...

I'm going to Michaels TODAY and buying a glue gun and ribbon. THANKS!

the undomesticated wife said...

Ooo! Great project! I especially like the fabric on the last picture.

Jboo said...

Oh my gosh -- so cute!! I must run out and try that -- my hub has night lights everywhere -- wouldn't he love a cute little lampshade nightlight. Thanks for the tips!!

Janet

Whitney said...

Oh how fun! I love these shades! :)

Lisa said...

They are adorable!!! What a great idea! I may have to think about doing this....!!

Sweet Simplicity said...

I love that turquoise toile fabric! I really want to recover the lamp that I found at a garage sale this past weekend. Thanks for the tips!

The Golf Widow said...

They turned out awesome.I've seen the kits. Great to know it actually worked!

The garage deserves fringe,too!:) However,my husband would not see an improvement.I covered a cord with fabric and his point was that we all still know the cord is in there. Hello, but now it's a pretty cord.

edie said...

I love the 3rd one with the fringe .. What a great idea. I'll have to try it.

Anonymous said...

Love it. Now I'll add this to my long list of projects.

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Love them all and what a great way to use leftover fabric. I'll definitely be copying you on this one!

Shannon said...

Those are all so cute but I love that last one!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

The shades are so cute....I can see them falling down the same path as your vinyl letters.....ADDICTING!!!

I have one in the kids bathroom, this post makes me want to go buy some more!!

ROXY said...

I love the blue and black toile!!! Great job with this project!!

Kristin said...

Very cute! I have one of the night light ones at home from Walmart to make for my daughters room. It's still in the closet though. I'll have to dig it out since it looks so easy.

jennykate77 said...

I LOVE those! Awesome idea...I'm going to Michael's today! I've covered my lampshades before, but to already have the sticky stuff on them...that's genius!

Too cute as always!

Thanks for sharing!

Ms. Tee said...

How did I not now about these sticky lampshades before?!! You amaze me. I'm so doing this. The toile is my favorite! :)

Anonymous said...

Love these! They came out so cute!
I'm going to have to try the nightlites. I forgot they had those at Jo-Anns.
Manuela

Anonymous said...

Love these! They came out so cute!
I'm going to have to try the nightlites. I forgot they had those at Jo-Anns.
Manuela

Tara said...

So cute!! Great ideas! I just love popping in here...never know what great idea I'm going to see! thanks so much!! My list of things to buy and do is growing each time i drop in.... :O)

angie {the arthur clan} said...

That turned out great! I have a nasty old lampshade that I might have to think about covering now. Thanks for sharing...

Angie in OH

Free Art Printables said...

It looks awesome~!

Wendy said...

This is one of my favorite things to do, although I admit, I haven't tried to nightlights yet! I'm going to have to go grab some...love the blue toile in your daughter's bedroom. So pretty!

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Carrie, I've been away....I'm having sooo much fun catching up! I've got a few lamps shades to redo! I do adore the mini shades with beaded fringe.
My Parisian Give Away (valued at $200+) is now posted. This truly has your name written all over it!! You won't believe your eyes! It is my way of showing my heartfelt appreciation for all the support I was given in the infancy of my blog. My Lil' Boutique's Grand Opening is now official too. I'm slowly filling it with my favorite designs and treasures. I'm truly enjoying this blog journey, especially the new friends I'm getting to know through our visits. Thanks for sharing your precious time with me.
*SWEET WISHES*!
Sara

Liz Harrell said...

Overkill? No way! I love this!

Faith said...

Very pretty! Now you need to have some fabric embroidered and then cover one to make a monogrammed lamp shade!

Queen Bean said...

Making those lampshades is so addicting I can't stop. Deana

Marie said...

GORGEOUS! You use the best fabric!

Thanks for your comment today... not preachy at all! Putting it all in perspective for me. :o)

Stephanie said...

Could those be any cuter?!! I love lamps and lampshades with fringe are even better! I have a night light from Pier 1 that has a lamp shade that I just love. I will have to make these for my bathrooms. So they come with the nightlight and the shade at JoAnn's? They would make cute gifts for a friend. Keep the fun ideas coming! You are an inspiration! Thanks for always visiting my blog...I really appreciate your comments! So nice!
Stephanie

♥B said...

Very Creative. I wish I had a creative side, but sadly I don't.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Very cute, you know I just love a good lampshade redo.

Anonymous said...

oooh yeah fringed shades in the garage, my kinda garage lol!

I love what you did, are you sure it's really that easy!

Sarah

AndreaLeigh said...

How clever! I've seen those before but never knew where to purchase them. I love, love, love the fabric on the lamp. Golds and reds are my favorite colors!

Genny said...

15 minutes of work? That's my kind of craft! Love it.

Stacy said...

You go girl! You oughta market these! You could even offer custom!

~Stacy

Monogramchick said...

Those are great, again, your an insipration :)

princessmimi said...

Very cute...I love the fringe!

duchess said...

They turned out great. I love the toile fabric.
Don't worry - a little fabric & fringe can only make a garage look better. ;)

blueladybug said...

Cute, cute, cute!! love these. You have such great ideas. I might have to do one of these for my kid's surf themed bathroom.

Christina said...

Victoria and I have an award for you over at our blog. Stop by and pick it up when you get a chance.

Anonymous said...

Those lampshades are so very pretty and the beading just dresses them up perfectly.

I can't wait to try to make one.

Gretchen

Hannah E. said...

This gave me a great idea...Christmas presents! My mom just redecorated two rooms in her house, and I was wondering what I could get her to add to one of them. I'll make one for each room! Thanks!!!

Becky said...

I love it! And I'm the same way--when I like an idea, I do it all over the house.