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How to Makeover Tall Candlestick Lamps

ByDiane Henkler Updated:

How to makeover tall candlestick style lamps that are used on buffets and console tables using paint and wallpaper. It is an easy DIY lamp makeover project that can be done in 30 minutes or less.

Here are the candlestick lamps – Before

Desk-in-foyer

I liked the black opaque shades as they provide more dramatic light at night as the light only shines up and down – not through the shade. 

I think this foyer looks best at night because of that lighting effect.

Lamp-Shade-Before

But I was ready to brighten the space and decided to spray paint the outside of the shades a glossy white.

Decorating-Trick

After spray painting the shades white – the candlestick shaft section on the lamp looked too yellowish-orange. 

I needed to change it somehow, but didn’t want to paint it.

Scrapbook paper to the rescue.  You can see the difference it makes in the photo above.

How to Use Decorative Paper To Update a Lamp

This is a very easy and fast lamp makeover that will be done in 20 minutes or less.

Lamp makeover ideas
  1. Cut wallpaper, scrapbook paper, maps or any decorative paper tall and wide enough to fit around the stem of the lamp.
Glue-one-edge-of-paper

2. Spread some tacky glue on one inside edge of the paper.

Lamps

3. Then wrap it around the base  – the glued edge is overlapped on the paper so it will not damage the lamp if you decide to remove it some day.

That is all there is to giving my foyer, candlestick lamps a makeover.

Foyer-Desk-and-Lamps

The scrapbook paper is a soft taupe color that looks better with the white shades and the wall color.

Decorating-the-Foyer
Quick-Decorating-Tip-for-La

Here is what the desk compartment on the sideboard works.

Desk-inside-sideboard

I keep stamps and stationery in here.  I also have a few letter writing books to use as inspiration to help me come up with the right words when none come to me.

This is the most formal space in my house – every other room is pretty casual.

I made the mirror when we first moved in and it has been hanging here ever since. I needed something tall since the space is open to the 2nd floor.

Foyer-Decorating-Ideas

When I was working on the lamps the phone rang and I went to answer it.  When I got back a few minutes later this is what I found. 

Trax

My helper, Trax – he just had to check out this new empty surface.   He made himself quite comfortable – gotta love him.

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42 Comments

  1. Lonnice Seubert says:

    Hi Diane, I have not been receiving your emails for several months. I hope all is well with you and your family.

    Reply

  2. Know this is two years after the fact, but hope all is well. You are an inspiration to everyone who visits your incredibly, beautiful website. Artistic people, such as yourself, are truly gifted. Putting a smile on someone’s face from your work is truly a gift. Love that the uncle’s console/desk came from Brooklyn. My Aunt Gen passed away in 2013, lived in Bay Ridge, and had a beautiful condo. Here’s to Aunts and Uncles! Linda

    Reply
    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks so much Linda for taking the time to leave me such a nice comment. I do love the hand me down through the generations furniture. I feel it gives my home much more meaning. My mom’s name was Gen -short for Genevieve and she grew up in Brooklyn. XO

      Reply

  3. I love your website. Thank you for all the hints and tricks. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply

  4. I absolutely LUV your mad decorating skills! I also luv hydrangeas and have dried some of mine for my decor. I have enjoyed your blog and your ability to decorate on a budget. >…Jenny

    Reply
  5. Angela @The Not So Functional Housewife says:

    Your lamps look amazing! You have such a beautiful home!

    Reply
  6. Katharine says:

    P.S. I love love love your foyer table/console. I think my mom’s secretary has the same knobs. Here secretary has a small glass hutch attached. I have a secretary desk, in my living room, and am thinking of painting it, but first my living room needs new colors and sprucing up. Now I have a fall thing going on with a burnt orange wall (you can see my wall through my kitchen window if you drive down the street. bright and fall like which is perfect for this season. I still have to show that in a blog post. hmm!!!

    Reply
  7. Katharine says:

    Thank God my daughter’s dad works now but he’s forever affected by being in your husband’s boat two times since we got married in 1988. First it was from 1990 to 1994, unfortunatly when I went back to college, and again in 2001 when he lost the same job twice. His company went out of business, was bought by a pervious president and then a few months later was let go cause of downsizing with the new corporate structure. I wish he wouldn’t still act, 10 years later, that he is under a dark cloud ready to get him. This has ruined our marriage and puts a huge strain on our household.

    I really respect how you and your husband have worked as a team. I’m also grateful that you have been able to work. That has been our huge downfall, that I got chronically ill. I think you put a very positive and brave front for all of us and enjoy reading your blog for every new post. I’m also glad to see that your fairy godmother has helped you and your blog. I did my first paid post the other day through social spark and I’m hoping I get many more assignments. Every penny counts. :)

    Now I know one of the things I want to do with my old windows when we get new ones, one day.

    Reply

  8. This space is just beautiful. Clean, simple, yet inviting.

    Thanks for choosing to be positive through your trial. I believe that in blessing us with this blog, you in turn will be blessed!

    P.S. Thanks for the tip about PlannerPads. Bought one for myself and for my daughter. So far, so good! I’ve had the most productive week with much less mental static. Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Lisa (A Room with A View) says:

    I am sorry to hear about your current situation and hope that some good news comes your way soon in that regard. We went through something similar 3 years ago with the wall street chaos, but for a shorter period of time. I wish your husband the best. You have shared some amazing projects – keep up the great work! Love that sideboard – it has a lot of character.

    Reply
  10. home decor accessories says:

    I just ran upon your blog, and what a treat! I am sorry to hear about your husband, I hope he finds something very soon. You have great style, I love your splashes of purple both in the foyer and the guest bedroom!

    Reply

  11. Hi Diane…I love your site!!! I am loving all of the printables…so glad to have found you…I am so flattered that you liked my DIY Vera Bradley Pendants, too. It means so much to me!!! I will be back to check out this site…Thanks again.

    Reply
  13. Sheryll & Critters. says:

    Diane,

    I am so praying your hubby gets a good job locally. Moving to me is so traumatic and I am going to admit to loving your house so much that I would just hate for you to sell it. I love all your make over’s. And I so agree with loving them also because you don’t break the bank doing them. Also that you give such great instructions and you give us the cost of stuff you use or sometimes that you reuse. I think your house is so perfect that I can not imagine it needing anything more, but you are so clever to come up with great new ways!

    Sheryll & Critters.

    Reply

  14. Just found your blog and I was sucked it by your amazing use of scrapbook paper! I have lots of scrapbook paper waiting for me to be creative with it. Sorry about your husbands job, I am sending positive thoughts and prayers that he finds another soon.

    Reply
  15. Project Queen (Mandy) says:

    Diane – I’m so sorry for the tough times you and your hubby are going through. We have been there…God has a way of closing doors and opening another one but of course it’s in HIS time, not ours. Looks like you are doing wonderful, beautiful things while you are sitting in HIS waiting room.

    xo

    Reply

  16. Prayers that your hubby will be offered a good job someplace very soon, my friend. I know how difficult and frustrating it must be for you both. Keep your chin up—-keep on decorating and making your home look beautiful! :)

    xoxo laurie

    Reply

  17. My husband lost his job 8 years ago – he was a VP and it was a shock! He began his own consulting business as we were not willing to move and leave kids and grandkids that live nearby. It’s up and down and I work too for the benefits. I enjoy your blog and get some great ideas for frugal yet stylish decor. Our home is paid for so at least we have a place to live! Keep us posted on the job search. Blessings!

    Reply
  18. Carol-Anne (Use The Good Dishes!) says:

    My husband has been laid of 4 times in the 20 years we’ve been married, and it’s been one of the most stressful times of our lives. I so hope it ends soon for you both and you can decorate the heck out of your house!

    Reply
  19. Linda @ A La Carte says:

    I wish the best for you Hubby as he job hunts. I am about 2 yrs, 1 mo into my jobless state since being ‘downsized’. At age 61 I feel like I’m in early retirement as jobs are almost impossible to find. I know how to live on a very limited income and all my crafts, updates and decorating is on a very frugal budget…it can be done as you show us all the time. Keep thinking positively!

    Reply

  20. I really enjoy all of your posts. You have an incredible gift, and you are very inspiring. So sorry to hear of your family’s difficult situation. I pray that things turn around for you and yours very soon.

    Reply
  21. beachhouseliving says:

    The lamps look so different. How do you think of these things?
    I am blown away by how long your husband has been out of work. It’s got be hard trying to be positive when time lingers on so. Hope it looks up very, very soon.

    Reply
  22. mary beth says:

    That is one amazing piece of furniture! Don’t you dare paint it! I love your blog and the thing I love most is the way you make things cheap and easy and that you share them with the rest of us frugal copy cats! I’m sure your hubs is so proud of you and the way you keep it lovely and simple and easy on the wallet! Prayers for a job soon!

    Reply

  23. I understand the struggles you are going through with your husband not being able to find work. My fiance has been looking for work for about a year and a half here in AZ. The blog that I have came about because he couldn’t find work, so we decided to makeover furniture and sell it. Keep your head up and thanks for your inspiration.
    http://shabbytochicqueencreek.blogspot.com/

    Reply

  24. Hi Diane, Your blog is such and inspiration for me. My husband lost his job at exactly the same time as yours. 2 1/2 years later still nothing. He has started his own business but there is no income on that front yet. Just kind of hanging at this point until something happens. I know what you mean about limbo. I too have been trying to update on a budget and get things that need doing completed in case we need to move. You have so many inspiring ideas. I do have a question on your stairs. We have been removing all the carpet from our second floor but when I removed it from the stairs they were awful builders grade. I painted them white but would prefer stained. How did yours look when the carpet was removed? Thanks and best wishes for a new job to you and hubs, Pam

    Reply
  25. Christina says:

    Diane, thank you for so many great ideas on a shoe string budget. My fiancee and I have just purchased a home and we do not have a lot of extras for decorating but I have found so many wonderful ideas on your blog that I just cannot wait to try out!!!! I hope your hubby finds a new job I know how tough it is to be looking for work!

    Thank you again!!!

    Christina

    Reply

  26. Diane, another brilliant and inexpensive solution with the scrapbook paper over the lamp stem! Why didn’t I think of that?! I sure hope your DH finds something soon. I know very well how you all are feeling since we have had two bouts of unemployment in the past 10 years. But I really liked having my husband around for those times, though, and there are some good memories attached, too.

    Reply
  27. Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs says:

    Call me crazy but your home does not look like it’s done on a small budget! It’s beautiful and gorgeous! Here’s praying your husband will find work soon. In the meantime, count your blessings that you have a home to live in AND that you actually have money to do something as wonderful as decorating it….on any budget.

    Reply

  28. Covering lamp shafts with paper… what a smashing and creative idea! Imagine the possibilities! So sorry to hear about your husband’s job situation. What a dreadful mess we have now found ourselves in here in America.

    Your blog is entirely adorable! Keep it up.

    CC

    Reply

  29. I love that sideboard as well – that’s a great piece, Diane. Well you’re a very positive person so I’m sure having you as a spouse has also helped your hubby through the process as well.

    Reply

  30. I have the same desk, well mine is the bottom of a hutch. I used the top someplace else and I was left with the bottom. I love the baskets you have in the shelves. Mine has doors in that place but you’ve inspired me to take off the doors and put baskets in the shelves. Thanks for the pics!
    Susan

    Reply
  31. The enchanted home says:

    WOW your home is just beautiful..the lamps look exquisite. I am so impressed. Sorry to hear about your husband, times are scary right now for our country and I cannot believe the stories I continue to hear, I know there is no magic bullet. But praying for our country to rebound and for people like your husband to secure a stable job. Sending you a hug….beautiful post.

    Reply

  32. I do hope your husband finds something soon. Your home looks wonderful, you’d never guess that you were working on a minimal budget, just goes to show money can’t buy taste! Love the lamp make over, they look wonderful! Hope you have a lovely weekend

    Reply
  33. Roses and Rust says:

    I hope your husband finds something soon. Your home is beautiful and certainly doesn’t look like it is done on a budget! I think it is a lot more rewarding making a change with creativity and hard work than just going out and spending a whole lot of money. You can be very proud of what you’ve achieved. x Sharon

    Reply

  34. I love your blog and your wonderful ideas! I would have never thought of scrapbook paper to put around the candlestick lamp. I have some lamps that I painted….I am going to do that to them.

    Reply

  35. Wishing your hubby all the best as he continues to search for a new job. You’re an inspiration. I just love the beautiful, creative work you do to make your home reflect you. Love that old charming desk.

    Reply

  36. I just discovered your blog. You are amazing! You have so many projects I want to try!
    Best of luck to your hubby with the job situation. I hope it all works out even better than your dreams!
    Wendy

    Reply

  37. You are an amazing DIY, homemaker, decorator. I receive so many ideas from you. I am posting something tomorrow where I mention you and show something I learned from you.

    All the best as you travel the road of unemployment . . .we are on that road too!

    Reply

  38. The lamps look great, Diane. You always make things look great with the resources you have. Love your stairs and would love to do the same maybe some day. Right now I think the carpet is better for the little grands that go up and down the stairs.

    Reply

  39. This is really pretty and I love your makeovers! Hope things turn around for you soon! Sometimes hard situations bring out lots of creativity, your blog looks like proof of that! I’m your newest follower!

    Reply
  40. Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating says:

    Oh my, so sorry about your hubby’s job and that it is taking so long to find a new one. This economy has really been the pits for so many. You have done great with your thrifty decorating. I especially love your guest bath makeover. Keep up the good work and keep your chin up! :)

    Reply

    1. Hi Kate-

      Thanks. We have been doing OK, but it is hard living in limbo for so long. There are so many others in the same boat. My hubs has been at it for so long he is somewhat of an expert at what to do to find the jobs to even apply for. He has gotten 3 calls this week alone from people he knows who just lost their job and are still in shock and don’t know how to proceed. I think my hubs can start a consulting business assisting them in the transition process.

      Reply