If you love the industrial look, as I do, it can be fun to scour the thrift shops for old pipes and lamps and refit them.
But if you also like a craft project or a bit of DIY, this project is the perfect one for you! Turn that lamp you have into an industrial style or steampunk decor by recycling old lampshades!
They just end up in the dump, and there are so many unique ones out there for cheap in thrift stores. It doesn't matter if they are stained, you will change the look of that old fabric with this technique using brown paper and white glue..
Check out the video, and get inspired!
What you Will Need:
Old fabric lampshade
White glue and water
Paint brush
Roll of brown paper (you can find this at the hardware store or online)
Stain
Modge Podge for sealing your work
Industrial looking accessories, or this guy made his own accessories from paper.
So... if you love to have all your own unique and possible recycled pieces, then upcycling lampshades that no one else wants is a perfect way to outfit your home with this unique style but also recycling!.
Get Creative with Cardboard and Epoxy
To create the strips that look like rivets, he used cardboard cutouts and then some drops of epoxy for the rivets. You could just use glue as well if you don't have epoxy.
It is amazing just what you can do with a bit of brown paper, glue and stain!
I hope I have inspired you to go out and check the thrift stores for some old lampshades. You could even take the lamp it is on if you are willing to rewire it. You can get the rewiring kits online below:
Remember, it is fun to shop for old antique and retro lamps, but PLEASE rewire them, or get them rewired to the modern safety standards.
This way you can create old world industrial styling but with modern innards. You can also get the industrial period Edison Bulbs for a more realistic look: