Wednesday, June 29, 2011

This Little Light of Mine

Just another little project to report from the garage sale rejects which managed to meander back into the house at the beginning of the month.

Because it's the end of the month you see, and as you might recall, I promised the Man of the House that I would  use 'em or lose 'em by then. I showed this little beauty in that last post.


It's the top half of a lantern post that I've had in my attic since the mid 80s. I got it for the walk in our first home. Of course, I didn't take into consideration that it might involve a major electrical installation beyond our pay grade...

It procrastinated in that attic until we moved to our second home, There, it rusted for the next decade, its final humiliation being rejection at the recent garage sale.

I can't imagine why ...


I had a notion that it could still be useful 
so I took it apart and cut out all the electrical guts.


And then took it apart some more. The glass, as you probably know, just pulls right out.  Then I primed it and painted it Heirloom White.  I had to cover some (now) useless holes in the top with some wooden pegs but actually think that gives it a bit more character.

As you might have noticed in that second photo, the base was a hot mess. Fortunately, that stone flecky paint covers a multitude of sins.


I'm currently using it on my kitchen table for the holiday week.
I decoupaged the candle appropriately.

And  I made a set of coasters to match since I have that little decoupage a coaster addiction...


Anyway, that's another one down.

Once the holiday is over, I think  I'm going to move it to the top of the china cabinet in the dining room for a while and use it for a little vignette inspiration there. I might even schlep it to a party or two. In the meantime, I'll be sharing this little light of mine with Vanessa  and Heather for Inspiration Friday.

44 comments:

Anita Diaz said...

Debbie!!! That is a brilliant makeover! I would have never thought of it either. Thanks for stopping by! I have been a very bad blogger about getting around visiting, but things are just crazy around here these days. I'm about to tackle my girls' room and it looks like a tornado went through.

Eileen said...

Wow! I wish I had an eye for this sort of thing! I would never have thought of that. Beautiful transformation.

Thank you, Debbie, for stopping by my blog this morning. :)

Barbara F. said...

Hi Debbie, I love your July 4th setting and a great job on the lantern. You certainly brought it back to life. Your coasters look like the ones I see (and buy:() in Pier 1. Nice job there as well. xo,

no spring chicken said...

There you go again... over the top. I love it! I'm having a shindig here at the house for the fourth. You are officially invited. Wanna come early and decorate?

Blessings, Debbie

Nancy said...

I am so glad I found your blog; so full of wonderful ideas....

I love what you did with the light fixture; so creative and now so useful.....

Canadagirl said...

Ohhh how neat! I have to admit there things that I have brought home to hopefully incorporate into our decor. I love how you came up with such a neat way to use it and you can just keep changing the theme any way you like. Those kinds of things are the best. Good job girl!

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Ann said...

I wish I had your imagination, Debbie! Yea, I can sew ... but without a pattern, I'm lost.

Your ideas are sooooo good! Love this white lamp. Beautiful setting for the upcoming 4th!

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Debbie, this is soooo cute and inspiring. I LOVE your post title. :) Your tablescape and coasters look amazing. I am seriously inspired.

I hope you can make it to my White Christmas in July Blog Party and share something spectacular. I haven't hosted a blog party in like FOREVER, but I couldn't resist the theme. Will have it up soon so be on the lookout.

Much love!!

Sharlotte said...

Debbie,
This is so cute! I love it white and the wooden dowels...What a great idea! Your table looks so festive. Have a great time!
Sharlotte

Sharon said...

I'll just say it again - you are one of the craftiest women I know!

What a neat idea - it turned out so cute. I think this "little light of yours" should get a permanent place in the house. I had visions of changing the inside decoration each month - a sort of "Light of the Month" theme?

And oh - thank goodness the decoupage coasters made it to the table. I was in dire need of a little Mod Podge in my diet...

I feel Mojo comin' back...just sayin'

The Polka Dot Closet said...

OMG what a great cloche and at Christmas I want to see a little bottle brush tree! The bonus is, always remembering your first place! Great idea, so did you go.....See, hubby!

Carol

Lynn said...

It really turned out cute Debbie! There are so many things you can do with it now-enjoy:@)

Denise said...

You are so very clever! That old brass fixture looks great. Love the candle, too. I might see if we can borrow it for our going away (sad face) party for our soldier son-in-law. How much stuff do you have to get rid of by tomorrow? Good luck!!

Miss Char said...

Debbie, this is just a great idea for re-purposing an old fixture. Love it and your table looks so festive with the candle and all the red, white and blue.

Patti said...

Debbie, that's totally beautiful. You did an awesome job!! What a clever and creative gal you are.

Maryann said...

Debbie,
You never cease to amaze me, where do you come up with all these ideas?
This turned out great, I think I might even have one of these old light things stored in my garage somewhere. Now if you could only motivate me as well.

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Great idea! It looks wonderful with the candle and the coasters. Festive indeed.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I'm very impressed! Love, love it!

Savannah Granny said...

Such a cute transformation. I would have never thought of this neat idea. It really looks great and I love your 4th of July table. Have a great holiday. Hugs, Ginger

Joan Hall said...

You are so clever! I would have ended up with a tangled mess if I even throught of the idea.

Beautiful table!

Blessings,
Joan

Joan Hall said...

Oops - I meant thought of the idea. I don't think throught is a word. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Totally terrific! I love these "second chance" stories! What a lovely addition you have to seasonal decor! Nice to have a husband who challenges you to - use it or lose it!
Joy!
Miss Kathy

Marlis said...

Debbie, that turned out just great. I love that you were able to reuse it since it has super lines.. The table settings with the coasters are soo cool too. Happy Fourth, Many Blessings. marlis

Kathleen said...

I think it looks great! Now you get to keep it you clever girl!
Happy 4th!

Tanna said...

You are one creative lady, Debbie!! Great save for the fixture!!

Babs said...

Debbie, You did let your little light shine.:) Just like the song... Adorable tablescape and what a good use of the light fixture. Too cute!
Babs

Unknown said...

Debbie.....how clever!! You did a great job giving a new life to that old lantern :)

Blessings!
Gail

Chatty Crone said...

I can't believe what a little white paint can do - it is just magical. Very nice!

Kelli said...

You have amazed me with your creativity today. Who would have thought that the rejected lantern could find new life? I think I'll take a trip to Goodwill to see if I can find something similar to transform. Thanks seems inadequate for the joy your bring to my day!! How about a HUG?

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I am so impressed with your craftiness woman, you seem to come up with these wonderful ideas on the spur of the moment. Come on, how long has that idea been on the back burner of your mind? :) Good job!


~Jean

Rettabug said...

Wow...I'm impressed! It looks GREAT & I agree, the little buttons knobs filling the holes really DO add character. Well done, Debbie!!!

Happy 4th!
fondly,
Rett

The Decorative Dreamer said...

And here I was thinking you were going to revive it for your yard, like I did. LOL! What a great idea there! I love it! It looks wondeful on your very festive table too! I hope you and your family have a very happy 4th of July!

Okio B Designs said...

I love what you did here! So very patriotic and pretty! Coming over from Inspiration Friday and a happy new follower!

Jeanine

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

This post is a hoot, Debbie! I had TWO such lanterns that followed/moved with me for years. Eventually I tossed the metal and saved the pretty beveled glass. Then, it got tossed, too. I KNEW I was keeping those things for something, but I couldn't figure out what. Wish I'd known you back then! Nice job!

At The Picket Fence said...

YAY!! Debbie, I'm so glad you came and shared this at Inspiration Friday this week!! You did such a great job transforming that and now I'm kicking myself for passing up some that I saw at the thrift store the other day. Of course, I'm not the decoupage queen that you are! :-) It all looks so fun and festive and I sure do hope you guys have a fantastic 4th of July weekend!
Blessings friend,
Vanessa

Tami said...

That is so creative and pretty. I would have never thought of doing that to a light. Very cute! I can't wait to see it in future table decorations.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how smart you are! If you had displayed that light that way at your yard sale, you could have marked a high price on it and people would have fought over it. Love your candle and coasters too. laurie

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

You made the lamp beautiful! Talented!

At The Picket Fence said...

So, so fabulous Debbie! I'm so glad you shared it with us at Inspiration Friday. We both were so excited when we saw you had shared it with us! You did an amazing job transforming this little light. :)

Heather

FrouFrouBritches said...

Debbie, that is soooo cute! I love it! I have seen them painted black and hung up outside to light outside another day. But this? This is SO COOL! And you know I love the decopauge cnadles! Love it!

The mum of all trades said...

I love this, and I just love your blog. Its just so quintessentially American!

Anonymous said...

Saw this and wished I had one just like it! I do have a metal hanging lantern that I always wanted to paint white. I'm wondering did you have to sand it or do anything to the lantern before you primed it? I started spraying my lantern and It looked so so bad I scrubbed all the paint off. Must be using the wrong spray paint. I am so disappointed.
mary2alight@aol.com

Kathleen said...

I like it, you did a great job on the lantern. I'll be looking out for it in future posts. I too have been absent from the computer for a while, thankfully I've been happily absent, been busy with my "American" sister. I've enjoyed catching up on your doings. The Trail of Tears flower is a beautiful flower with such sad connections. I particularly enjoyed that post.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Love the transformation of this beautiful LIGHT...

And I'm immensely enjoying reading these posts...

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