DIY Friday Desk Lamp

The "before" photo of a desk lamp that almost ended up in the last yard sale.
I didn't get rid of it because it provides great light and my son needed a desk lamp.

I just hated the black and chrome look of it.

So...I finally made it a priority....

First I masked off the base and lamp with paper. Then I painted the chrome arm with Rustoleum paint in an oil rubbed bronze color. I moved it around several times to make sure I got all the cracks and crevices.

I did add a spray finish coat to the metal after painting it, since it will be moved around as the lamp is adjusted.

I printed out the vintage playing card graphic on onion skin paper (almost the texture of tissue paper).

I used regular old Mod Podge to apply the images to the lamp area and the base.

In hindsight, I wish I had used the matte Mod Podge instead of the gloss, but that is what I had on hand.

I think it turned out pretty good! Now my son has some good light directly on his desk. By the way, his desk was a prior DIY project aso. We used leftover hand-rubbed hardwood flooring from our house and mounted it on plywood. We trimmed out the edges and placed the desk top on two wood filing cabinets.

Instant desk with character!

What a great feeling to cross this project off my list!

I have so many projects in mid-stream right now and so many I want to start on. I'm sure many of you can relate to that?

But, there are just so many hours in the day.....

I will continue to practice one of my favorite practices....At the end of each day I try to focus on what I HAVE accomplished, not what I didn't get to.

That makes for a happier life : )

Hope you enjoyed this little project.

Happy Friday!