Any help for faded silk( faux) lamp shades?

11 years ago

Before I toss out otherwise perfect faux silk

Lamp shades, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has successfully dyed or painted pleated shades? Once tan, they have turned an ugly pale gold- ish purple. TIA!

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Annie Deighnaugh

11 years ago

Here's a pic of my lamp shade. Sorry the pic quality isn't the best.

This is one of a pair of alabaster lamps from MIL from the 1930s . The original shades were pleated gold velvet but in terrible shape. The lamps are only 12" tall so finding replacement shades would be difficult. So I stripped it to the metal frame and started wrapping with gold satin ribbon being careful to space the overlap evenly. When done, I hand stitched the ribbon to the beginning. I then hand stitched on the trim...though I suppose glue gun would work too or fabric glue.

Martha showed this technique on one of her old shows...she really saved me $$$. It was a lot better idea than her Easter ham in fresh grown grass!!

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Comments (13)

Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
If you are going to toss them anyway, why not try it?

I have small alabaster lamps with oval shaped shades that was going to cost me over $80 each to repair. So, thank you Martha Stewart, I stripped the frame to wire then wrapped them in satin ribbon. It came out great for a whole lot less!
cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
I've painted many a shade.
I had white pleated lamp
shades (white) and they looked blah...before buying
new one's I painted the old one's... I spray painted
the insides gold...then painted the outside with
craft paint from Michaels, (I mixed two colors together
gold and brown to get a bronze color)

Then just a few weeks ago my DH bought some gold leaf
paint at HD and it has changed my life! LOL

I painted my big gold fish in the DR gold, then looked
at the lampshades and said to meself...go for it!
They look smashing, (I think so, anyhow :) even when not lit, they look good.

close-up

this is what I used..the gold paint is called 'superlight'
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Yep, there it is. Good find, and it looks like Lindac92 pretty much nailed the date, too. And it's true, replacement shades, regardless of period, tend to be expensive... Those straps you spoke of... I suspect their purpose is merely to hold the socket body, which is probably a non-conductive plastic of some sort, on that white platform. I doubt very much that the metal straps have any part in conducting electrical current. That's what insulated wires are for. Could they act as a ground? Technically yes, but only to electrically bind all the metal pieces of the lamp together so that in the event there was a short circuit, probably caused by an insulation failure, the rogue current would be directed to the ground wire, which is always Green and which leads directly to the round pin of a three wire plug. I'm betting the lamp doesn't have a three-prong plug, or a three-wire cord. Regardless, if you're worried about it, get it checked out by someone who knows. Could be an electrician, but if you have a lamp repair shop anywhere nearby, take it there, have them address your electrical concerns and ask them to replace that missing screw (or whatever) while you're at it so that the bulb will be stable when you have it all together again, ready to use.
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martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow! Just as I'd hoped, crafty folk here Have a plan. Am off to Michael's for paint. Annie, could not quite picture your ribbon wrapping.
Joan, are your pleated shades cotton or a poly ?
cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
martinca, The gold leaf paint was from Home Depot...only the
craft paint was from Michaels...wait until the craft
paint thoroughly dry before applying gold leaf...(at least 24 hrs.)
donno, about the shades poly or cotton?
cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
This gold paint is good for everything...
it smells like acetone ( the ingredent in nail polish remover)

I painted my ceramic fish from green, and orange to
gold...and love it.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
11 years ago
Joan, your projects are gorgeous! For my shades, I'm simply hoping to turn them back into their original light tan. Did you use a brush to get into the pleats!? No adverse reaction from hot light bulbs, I guess?
TIA. For your help. Be so nice to not spend $$$ on new shades and also learn a grea new skill'
User
11 years ago
Annie, would you post a picture of the shades you wrapped in ribbon? I have a lampshade that is the perfect shape but wrong color... Thanks!
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
11 years ago
Joan, you do such a great job at transforming things!
cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
thanks Bumblebees,
Martinca, I've had them painted for a few years, so no problem
with the lights, and yes, I used a paint brush.
I actually painted them the bronze / tan color until
I got the color I liked.
User
11 years ago
Very creative! I guess you could probably have used velvet ribbon, or really any kind. I was afraid it would look like those string shades, which are not very nice (imo). Thank you for posting this :-)
Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
Yes, you could do any kind of ribbon. What's nice with the satin, is when the lamp is turned on, the overlap areas are darker and the non overlap is lighter so it gives almost a pleated shade effect. It also leaves a nicely finished shade on the inside too so it's very professional looking.

I meant to mention that the shades are oval in shape so very unusual and I was glad I could make them work.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
11 years ago
Your beribboned lampshade looks great, annie!

Any help for faded silk( faux) lamp shades?

Annie Deighnaugh

Comments (13)

Annie Deighnaugh

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Any help for faded silk( faux) lamp shades?

Comments (13)

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