Re-Purpose Re-Use and Green Stuff: For The Love Of Vintage Lamps

Reuse those old lamps.  They are a dime a dozen at flea markets, junk shops, and consignment stores as well as antique shops, yard sales, and online.  You can find one to fit just about any design or decorating project in any price range.

This lamp pair recently emerged from my closet making a debut in the master bedroom (an eBay find a couple of years back).  A new drum shade lifted them from their previous era and a large hand painted finial (from another vintage lamp) complemented and balanced the proportions of new shade and old lamp.  This lamp is tall, perfect for a cozy late night book reading session.


The detail is exquisite and the metal base adds texture and dimension to the bedside tables.

It was the casual carved look of this ceramic lamp pair that caught  my eye (in a Spencer, WV Antique Store) for a den project.  The den needed a lift without a major expense.  These lamps took on a very different persona once the old huge shades they came with were removed and traded for others from a previous consignment store buy.  An ivory elephant finial was a perfect topper.  One already had new wiring and the wiring on the other was in great shape.  

This old floor lamp had been in the family for years.  A new silk shade (a smaller shade than would have graced it originally) provides a soft light, without a big old heavy floor lamp statement, in an otherwise dark corner.  This old three way light can amp up to 200 watts of task lighting, if you need it, or hang out quietly using only 15 watts for a little night light atmosphere.

A $5.00 brass Stiffel lamp (a Roanoke VA flea market find) perks up with a new linen shade and new wiring.  The brass of the three-way lamp has mellowed with time befitting the gentleman who uses it next to his new not old Stickely leather chair.  A three way bulb allows for good reading light.   And, low wattage use is possible when the lamp is only needed for general room lighting.

This sweet porcelain rose bud lamp found on eBay brightens up a guest bedroom.  Although the cost was similar to lamps now found at major discount stores, the quality and craftsmanship of this lamp is superb.

This low cost Asian style consignment store find is also of very good quality.  It can handle a variety of shade styles and would work in just about any room.  Here is graces an antique chest of drawers.  However,  with a different shade it has also graced an entry hall table of a modern clean lined home.

Occasionally, at least for me, it is the lamp that catches the eye, inspires, and waits hiding in the closet until I dream up a project to surround it.  My most recent vintage lamp pair purchase from "The Designer Consigner" in Christiansburg, VA fits this category.

These are now hanging out with temporary shades in a bedroom waiting for more designer touches.  I know this lamp pair can be spectacular with the right shades and the right setting.  They were originally vases, possibly French from the late 1800 French Deco and Aesthetic style.  They were made into lamps many years ago with hand painted wooden bases and perfectly fitted metal caps with a harp.  The harps on these lamps are permanent and somewhat limiting of shade height.

I love the warm tones of the bird paintings and I am challenged by the pink deco design with black handles.  The warm painting behind and the rich wood of the dresser are already bringing this lamp back to life.  Ah, but it can have more energy and current design style than this.  I can hardly wait!  These are one of those finds that will inspire a complete room redo...

...and there are more great finds still waiting in the closet.