A couple of weeks ago I had the divine pleasure of shopping with my friend Lindsay. We first met at Blissdom, figured out her parents live right here in my very small town, and we’ve been buddies ever since. (Her father is Bre’s dentist – small world, huh?) Now when she comes to visit her parents, I get to see her, too. If you’ve ever met her you will know she is the most amazingly sweet person in the world. I love her to bits 🙂
Before she came to town, we talked and decided to go shopping (of course!) and she also agreed to come over and help me out by decorating my guest house. Thank goodness, because I’m not so great at decorating shelves. She did a fabulous job! All I did was get her what she needed and created a few props.
A set of 70’s encyclopedias came with the travel trailer. They were the only original bits left after we gutted it. I knew we didn’t need them for information purposes, but also knew the shelves I had in my head would need some stuff to go on them. So I kept them, wrapped each on in brown craft paper, and for about $5 worth of paper I had a bunch o’ books to help fill up the shelves.
When Lindsay and I went shopping (literally shopping ‘til I dropped – I had to come home and take a nap!), we went to my favorite local thrift store and I had a slight epiphany. We found all kinds of lamps, but I didn’t really need a lamp. I did, however, remember those lamp slips in the Ballard Designs catalog. $59-$129 each? No, thank you very much.
A $4 lamp… more my style (and budget).
I clipped off the wire and took off the lighting hardware.
Then gave it a couple of coats of flat black Krylon. (Had to do this step in my barn, ‘cause it was raining…)
And then I had my very own (real) lamp form for around $4. If you wanted an exact replica, you could easily paint it white – but I wanted black accents for this particular room. These type lamps are so easy to find at yard sales, Good Will, thrift stores, etc. You could have a whole slew of them for the $129 Ballard price tag!
So did you go thrifting lately? If so, share it over at Rhoda’s party!
Nice post. Nice ideas. Nice photos. I am tweeting about it on my Facebook Group page. Thanks.
Super affordable idea! Lindsay did a great job with the shelves and your little cottage looks adorable.
I really love the look of that lamp. 🙂
what a great idea! The shelves look great 🙂
This my friend, is absolute brilliance! I will be doing this project with your blessing! <3
They look fantastic!
In shelf-related news, I moved our two bookshelves from my office into our bedroom to make room for my ever-growing jewelry stuff. I dragged them in there by myself, and I kind of felt like a superhero. Crazy heavy.
Great idea Gina! I love that! Thanks for sharing and I will be on the look out for some cheap lamps.
Great ideas for styling the shelves! Love the photos! The lamp idea is superb! Thanks for sharing!!
Great ideas. No thrifting for me lately. Although I do have a mental list of things I’m looking for, Hugs!
love the lamp idea!!
I’d rather look at book bindings than books hidden in depressing grocery bag paper. I guess this is for people who don’t read.
Fabulous ideas and everything looks wonderful. Super tutorial. Hugs, Marty
I think it looks fabulous, Gina! I know you are a reader, and it’s plain to see that this set of shelves is ornamental. Not for displaying your library. I think it looks fabulous. I like to see what I am reading if I’m looking at the shelves I store my novels on, but for shelves that need a dressy look, this is spot on!
@Anonymous
haha, that was my thought too! I’m looking for creative ways to get ALL my books on shelves…the very last thing that I need it to cover unused books.
Love this post though…and the lamp idea.
I love this idea! Totally inspired me to rearrange our bookcase. The items you used for accents are lovely…
Cute idea!! TFS.
These shelves look fantastic! I always have trouble styling shelves but I just love how these look with the random goodies like the starfish and the ruffled fabric in the basket! Nice job!!! 🙂
The Ballard’s page has moved: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/suzanne-kasler-french-bisque-lamp-slips/311235