Metamorphosis Monday: Lamp Makeover

I needed a lamp and I knew what I wanted.  I wanted something similar to this lamp from Pottery Barn.

Image from Pottery Barn

Instead of filling the base of my lamp with a silk fern or driftwood I wanted to fill my lamp with shells. 

Image from Pottery Barn

Here is another lamp from Pottery Barn that is filled with shells.  This is the look I am aiming for but with a simpler lamp base.

I found this lamp at the thrift store.  These lamps were popular in the early 1990's.  I have one that I bought at that time.  The base has a wing nut that will unscrew and you can fill the lamp with objects, such as in the Pottery Barn lamps pictured above.  I wanted to update this lamp and get rid of the brass finish.  So, I took the lamp apart and taped all  the areas that might be sprayed by the  spray paint  I am using to refinish it.  

Here is how it turned out.   I used white spray paint first but it didn't take to the finish due to some flaws on the brass finish originally.  So, I repainted it with a textured sandstone color that is made for outdoor metal furniture and it took really well.  

The total cost of my lamp makeover:

Lamp $4

spray paint around $5

shade (also found in excellent condition at thrift store) $3. 

Total =$12  

I will link this to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at her site Between Naps on the Porch.
Also, Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative.
Also, Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.
And, Make It for Monday at Cottage Instincts.
Please visit these sites and check out all the great projects.