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Easy Updates for Lamps: Details Make a Difference
by Kathy Wilson, The Budget Decorator

Description: Tips for re-purposing a lamp to brighten up your home decor.

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in home decorating, but it need not be regarded as utilitarian. Any lamp in your home can be updated, upgraded and customized to add style to your rooms. Here are some easy ideas for updating your lamps and lampshades!

Is your lamp one of those bright brass tone discount store specials? Easily update these type of lamps with a can of "hammered metal" spray paints available in any paint section. Follow the directions for prep on the can, and make sure to use masking tape to protect the cord, switch and interior of the lamp. ALWAYS make sure any lamp you are crafting on is unplugged.

Older ceramic base lamps that have lost their luster can be decoupaged with white glue and pretty torn tissue paper or handmade papers. Glass lamps can be painted with craft glass paints, or frosted with glass frost spray.

Lampshades can be updated easily be simply gluing a ribbon, lace, or other trim onto the lower and/or upper edge.

Create a silhouette lampshade. Place a drawing of a simple shape behind the lampshade and tape in place. Using a large upholstery needle, punch holes along the line of the drawing. Remove the pattern. When the lamp is turned on, light will show through the punched holes to reveal the pattern you chose. Pick a shape or pattern that coincides with your room theme, or how about simple inspirational words? Tip: The closer together your holes, the clearer the image will appear.

Finally, make a few quick tassels from a pretty yarn and hang from lamp switches or fan pulls. You can find instructions for making tassels at http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/make_tassels.html

Don't overlook lamps and lampshades as great accessories in your home decorating that deserve attention to detail!

Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and is the home decorating expert for http://www.LifetimeTV.com. Visit her for more home and garden ideas at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.TheGardenGlove.com. Also visit her at http://www.Women-on-the-Net.com where any woman can learn to make money on the internet!