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DIY Love Letter Lamp

This Love Letter Lamp has been one of the most popular projects I’ve ever posted on the blog. It’s a simple way to give a thrift store lamp a pretty makeover with just a little paint in about an afternoon.
Pottery Barn Inspired LampOnce upon a time there was a lamp that I loved at Pottery Barn (but now neither the lamp or the shade is available). And together, the pair was $159. Kinda pricey for a lamp if you ask me. But I can always find a cheaper alternative!
Turn a thrift store lamp into a pottery barn inspired lamp with just a bit of paint

With a little thrift store luck, I found this lamp for $7 and the shade for $2 – so grand total of $9 on both pieces. That price is much better, huh? So let’s turn it into the Pottery Barn inspired Love Letter Lamp.

DIY Love Letter Lamp

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience, which means I earn a tiny bit of the sale to support this site without any additional cost to you.

Love this pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - so easy yet so pretty!
Start by giving the lamp a few coats of spray paint  <– this kind works best! Let it completely dry (at least 24 hours), then distress it a tiny bit with fine grit sand paper.
Easy DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - perfect for that thrift store lamp in the garage!

Next coat the base with some glaze (I prefer Ralph Lauren glaze in any tan shade). Lightly wipe off the glaze with a cotton cloth, using a circle motion. Take off small bits at a time, leaving behind enough to give you the level of distressing you prefer. If you want more, then use another layer. Let the entire thing dry overnight.

Now let’s make the shade….

 

Gorgeous DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - with an actual love letter on the shade. Pinning this for that thrift store lamp I've been saving forever.

Just like with these  French Script curtains, translate your favorite phrase (mine is from a love note my husband wrote me years ago, hence why I’m calling it the Love Letter Lamp), and print it off, I used this font at 175 point.

Gorgeous DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - with an actual love letter on the shade. Pinning this for that thrift store lamp I've been saving forever. Trim your words out to separate them and tape them to the inside of the shade in whatever arrangement you’d like.

Gorgeous DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - with an actual love letter on the shade. Pinning this for that thrift store lamp I've been saving forever.

Put the shade on a lamp, turn it on, and use a small brush as a pencil to trace over the words  with air brush paint <– that kind is THE BEST.  If you’d like to add post marks, just use some rubber stamps to make it easy.

Gorgeous DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - with an actual love letter on the shade. Pinning this for that thrift store lamp I've been saving forever.

Once everything was dry, I put it all together and that’s how I created the DIY Love Letter Lamp.

Gorgeous DIY pottery barn inspired love letter lamp - with an actual love letter on the shade. Pinning this for that thrift store lamp I've been saving forever.

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Embellished Bayou says

    February 11, 2010 at 1:31 am

    I like your version even better than the PB one! The shape of that lamp is great & you did a fabulous job transforming it! As always, thanks for hosting us!

    Reply
  2. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    February 11, 2010 at 1:32 am

    So super cute Gina!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Vanessa says

    February 11, 2010 at 1:59 am

    Goregous!! Love this transformation!!

    Reply
  4. Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:21 am

    Such a sweet lampshade, I love that you used sentiments from your husband. I’m a sucker for all things French. 🙂

    Reply
  5. { L } says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:28 am

    I am absolutely impressed with this!! It looks STRAIGHT out of a PB catalog! I’m stunned.

    Reply
  6. Sabrina says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:29 am

    Great lamp and LOVE the lampshade idea.

    Reply
  7. Hoosier Homemade says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:38 am

    That lamp is awesome! I love it too!
    Thanks for hosting!
    ~Liz

    Reply
  8. Thrifty Miss Priss says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:41 am

    you did a fabulous job! I agree…straight from the PB catalog!

    Reply
  9. Jessica @ This Blessed Life says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:05 am

    Ahhhhh!! I am in love, too! And I am LOVING the idea of taking a love note and translating it – keeps it private yet so sentimental! Wonderful job!

    Reply
  10. Michelle @ Sweet Something says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:22 am

    That turned out great! I’m working on a lamp project too….hope to link up next week! Love this party!!

    Reply
  11. FleaMarketTrixie says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:22 am

    That lamp is gorgeous, great transformation

    Reply
  12. Sherry says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:35 am

    Oh, now you are awesome! I had been wanting to do some slipcovers for my dining room chairs with this font and you just posted it. Way cool.:)

    Reply
  13. L.Duncan@home23duncanboys says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:01 am

    You did a GREAT job! I love it!!!

    Reply
  14. RuthM says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:13 am

    I totally like your version better!!! It’s gorgeous!

    Reply
  15. Beth says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:16 am

    I like your version better! Oh, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who drinks a gallon of sweet tea a day!

    Reply
  16. Pam says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:19 am

    Awesome…looks great and your directions are so easy to follow.

    Reply
  17. Rocio @ Casa Haus says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:27 am

    Wow! I LOVE your lamp better!

    Reply
  18. randee says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:30 am

    that lamp looks absolutely positively fabulous!

    Reply
  19. Wendy says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:36 am

    The lamp turned out great!

    Reply
  20. Jen~ Lipstick and Laundry says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:00 am

    GREAT job, I too saw those and thought… Need to make it NOT spend that HIGH price!

    Reply
  21. Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:05 am

    ooooh, I saw that shade and loved it too! thanks for a great tip and making a knock off

    Reply
  22. Leanne says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:13 am

    You amaze me. It looks so perfect, even better than PB. Hey, I want to go thrifting with you too. Thanks for hosting again. I would never miss it.

    Reply
  23. Procrastinating Perfection says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:19 am

    Love. it. ♥

    Reply
  24. Enchanted Rose Studio says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:22 am

    I’ve been seeing the distressed vintage ballisters turned lamps every where now. Those lampshades are killer! Love em! I really like how your lamp turned out. You did a fabulous job!

    Thanks for the great tips!

    Tina

    Reply
  25. Valley Girl says

    February 11, 2010 at 5:23 am

    Holy COW! I think you just made Pottery Barn cry…cause now we don’t have to buy their lamp (tee,hee, hee). That looks great, thanks for the tut.

    Reply
  26. Molly @ A Bit O' Shine says

    February 11, 2010 at 8:19 am

    Now that is a fantastic lamp makeover!
    I made over a lamp this week too but all I did was spray paint it. Still…it was a serious improvement.

    Reply
  27. Robin says

    February 11, 2010 at 9:52 am

    You are brilliant! That looks over the top amazing!!!
    Would you mind telling me the color on the walls behind the finished lamp? I’m in love with it!?
    Thanks Bunches~
    Robin
    All Things Heart and Home

    Reply
  28. ::cottage instincts:: says

    February 11, 2010 at 11:00 am

    That is amazing Gina! Looks fabulous and way more personalized and ‘you’ than a mere PB off the rack overpriced lamp. 🙂

    I got nothing to post this week, but I’ll enjoy visiting the others who do!

    Reply
  29. Melissa says

    February 11, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Yours is gorgeous, better than PB’s

    Reply
  30. Theresa @ 612Riverside says

    February 11, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    I am loving this! The fact that you used a personal note for the shade is awesome. I gotta try this, Thanks for the inspiration, Theresa

    Reply
  31. Cindy says

    February 11, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    I saw that in their new catalogue and I was wondering how I could make it, too. Wow, yours is gorgeous!!! I really want to make one now! Thank you so much for the instructions. Hugs, Cindy S.

    Reply
  32. Paula Grace Designs says

    February 11, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    Gorgeous lamp and the price is right!
    Paula Grace ~

    Reply
  33. Heather@PixieDust says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    wow, I love your lamp!!!!! Thanks for sharing the technique of how to paint a design on a lamp shade 🙂

    Reply
  34. Wendy says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Thank you!! I needed a lampshade for the office / craftroom and this is perfect!!! I love it!! Hurray…I am so excited to try it.
    Wendy

    Reply
  35. Sherrie says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    I just love seeing what you can put together. Love the lamp. You provide such good photos and detailed descriptions. Thank you for your patience and time in doing this.

    Reply
  36. Jenn says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    I am all about PB hacking! You did a fabulous job!

    Reply
  37. JessicaDoesMakeup says

    February 11, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    That lamp is gorgeous! You are so creative! This blog is definetely going to save me tons of money over the years. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  38. Sonja @ Craft-Werk says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    That lampshade is beautiful. A great idea from PB – but your cheap recreation is even better! Love it and might try that, too!

    Reply
  39. Erin A says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Wow, this is truly fabulous!! I am so loving that lampshade!!! It seems like a lot of link party ideas are pretty similar, but this is a good, slight deviation. Great job!

    Reply
  40. Low Tide High Style says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    Your lamp and shade turned out beautifully!! So creative and so much less expensive! Truly lovely!

    Kat 🙂

    Reply
  41. Maman Tattoo says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    It’s funny I did the same thing 2 weeks ago 😛
    Yours turned way better I shall say!

    Reply
  42. Creativedecorbybrooke says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    I love that idea. The lampshade is so neat and so easy. You are so creative.

    Reply
  43. a fan of anything chocolate says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    Clearly you are a fan of things French! Loved our trip to Paris and love your lamp and anything else PB inspired. You did a fabulous job and your how-tos are great!
    http://robertapm28.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  44. Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    That is such a creative idea. I love the way it turned out!

    Reply
  45. Jessi @ Yankee Belle Home says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    WOW! WOW! WOW! Gina, you are an inspiration. The lamp is gorgeous!

    Reply
  46. One Cheap B*tch says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Oh dear god, I love that soooooo much! Great job, I want it!!!!!!!

    Reply
  47. Chez Zizi says

    February 11, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Oh My God! I love that lamp shade as well and have been trying to find a way to make it. Thanks for the tips! I am going to run out and make it this week.

    Zizette

    Reply
  48. Katie says

    February 11, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    I was looking at my PB catalog over the weekend, wondering how I could knock off that lamp myself! Thanks for the tips — will definitely have to give it a shot!

    Reply
  49. Diane @ InMyOwnStyle says

    February 11, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Hi Gina-
    I like yours better than PB, not only because it cost a lot less, but it just looks better – more of your style put into it. Thanks for having the under $5.00 link party- can’t wait to get some good inexpensive ideas.
    Diane

    Reply
  50. Siggy Spice says

    February 11, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    Absolutely FABULOUS!!!

    Reply
  51. Jan @ bobbypinsboardwalk says

    February 11, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    Absolutely wonderful lamp project. Very clever. Thank you for hosting the link party!

    Reply
  52. Pins + Paper says

    February 11, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    I love this idea! Great tutorial, Gina!

    ~ Kristen

    Reply
  53. Kim says

    February 11, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Positively lovely! Anything with French script wins me over.

    Reply
  54. Living With Lindsay says

    February 12, 2010 at 3:53 am

    You already know I absolutely love it! Great job, girl! I need to feature this on Teach Me Tuesday.

    Reply
  55. Thelittlebrownhouse.us says

    February 12, 2010 at 4:20 am

    That lamp is seriously amazing!! I love it!
    Thanks for sharing, and for hosting!

    Reply
  56. Sherry says

    February 12, 2010 at 6:36 am

    The lamp is wonderful and I am in love with the shade. Great Job!

    Reply
  57. Richella says

    February 12, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Wow! I really, really like this! I went back and re-read your curtain tutorial just so that I could be sure of how to do this. Double wow.

    Thank you for sharing this, Gina!

    Reply
  58. Charris says

    February 12, 2010 at 7:00 pm

    Hi Gina;
    I have chosen you and your blog as a recipient of my blog award. Come on over and pick it up
    http://Inspirewithcharris.blogspot.com
    Congrats!!

    Reply
  59. Ceekay- Thinkin of Home says

    February 13, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    That is very impressive…I love that look…and for so little money!!! Happy Valentine’s day!

    Reply
  60. Miss Fanny says

    February 14, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    That lamp is awesome and you made it look easy. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  61. Anonymous says

    February 22, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Hi Gina,
    Love this lamp. Would love to use the font for a plain sage lamp shade in my guest room.
    And I just discovered you are located in my Hometown. I live in VA now but was born and lived most of my life in L’burg along with other family. My Mom stills lives there. Love your site.
    BJ

    Reply
  62. Anonymous says

    February 26, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    Hi — I’m new to this, so excuse my “dumbness” here. I’m looking at the part where you cut out the phrases and taped them inside the shade. The next picture shows no outlines of the paper after you paint the shade. How did you do that?

    Reply
  63. Ashley says

    March 15, 2010 at 4:28 am

    LOVE!! Better than the one for $159!!!!! =)

    Reply
  64. Colleen @ MuralMaker&More says

    July 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    Gina, I bookmarked this darling lamp way before I was posting love links. Finally got around to Decorating Lampshades today & had to include yours! Love it!

    Reply
  65. marle says

    December 30, 2010 at 4:05 am

    i love the tutorial thanks.

    Reply
  66. Cortney says

    January 1, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    I love this!

    Reply
  67. Parents of a Dozen says

    January 2, 2011 at 1:41 am

    You did a great job on the lamp. I am a new follower.

    Reply
  68. Suzy @ Joy Is At Home says

    January 3, 2011 at 5:03 am

    I love this! It is totally going on my “to do” list..

    Reply
  69. Anna See says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:35 am

    Oh my goodness! I love this. I actually have that lampshade from PB, so I am doubly impressed!

    Reply
  70. rockpaperscissors3 says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    What a great way to have your space personalized! love it-great for gifts, to!

    Reply
  71. Tessa says

    March 21, 2015 at 7:19 am

    so you used the taped printed words in the inside like a stencil? Then traced on top of the lampshade? Did you use fabric paint or markers?

    Reply
  72. Carol says

    February 27, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Its GENIUS! Thank you for showing us how to do this!

    Reply
  73. Stair says

    October 31, 2018 at 3:14 am

    My soon-to-be sister-in law got crafty over the holidays and sent us some pretty awesome packages. One of the coolest was this DIY trivet, constructed from wine corks she’d been collecting.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 31, 2018 at 9:25 am

      Very cool, I love wine cork creations 🙂

      Reply
  74. Daneka Dodson says

    January 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    Should we put some type of clear or protective coating over the lampshade to preserve the painted on words? Also, can you please recommend what material of lampshade would work best with this?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      January 14, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      You can if you want, I didn’t and any lampshade will work, just keep in mind you’ll be writing your words so something that will easily accept the paint, or marker 🙂

      Reply

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