Crazy Lamp Lady
I believe I can now officially lay claim to the title as I’ve added 4 lamps to my “collection” over the Summer. I still look at FB Marketplace for lamps and have been eyeing a pair of brass lamps for $75 that I would love to have. I’m just trying to figure out where I want to put them. They may get to replace my current MBR lamps.
Early in the Summer, I ran across the cutest rabbit lamp for $40 at an antique store. It’s not an antique, but I AM rabbit obsessed, so there’s that. I pondered it for about two months then decided I had to have it. I told myself, if it’s still there this trip, I’ll buy it (I know you’ve done this as well). I believe it was a steal for a new lamp and I was able to find it online for $200, so I’m ecstatic with this purchase for my kitchen desk. Is this guy adorable or what?
More recently, I was perusing FB Marketplace and ran across a couple of ginger-jar style lamps in pretty rough shape. They were local so I plunked down $30 for the pair and promptly donated the shades. Then, went to work on the lamps.
They needed a good cleaning first and foremost. I took them apart and spray painted the bases and the parts of the hardware I intended to keep, a flat black. I believe the flat is a better contrast to the shiny glaze of the ceramics.
I then headed to Amazon to purchase new wiring kits and harps for them in flat black. I haven’t settled on a shade just yet, but these are at least compatible with the size and shape of the bases and they were only $6 at a local charity shop. When choosing a shade for your lamp, the shape should be similar to the lamp itself and the height should be 1/3 to 1/2 the height of the lamp. I try to match the style of the base, but don’t have any affinity for fringe or tassels so those are always out. There was nothing wrong with the pleated shades other than they were pretty dirty, but I just think the bell shade is a better match for a ginger jar lamp.
My last lamp was a very recent find while thrifting at a local charity shop. It required nothing in the way of refurbishing other than a good cleaning. I’m not completely satisfied with it, because there are still some spots of tarnish, but I only paid $8 for it and I’ve seen similar advertised for around $200 again. I really have fallen in love with the French Bouillotte style lamps. I believe this one to be a Baldwin. The shade can be raised or lowered by loosening the key at the top. It’s not in what I call perfect condition and I will definitely be on the lookout to replace the shade with a cream colored pleated shade of the same shape and size to class it up a little. I don’t believe it has sufficient value to warrant keeping the original shade with it (much like my previous two lamps).
What do you think of my new acquisitions and do you think I’m ready for the title, “Crazy Lamp Lady,” yet?