I am SO excited! I finished the lamp for my office. The total price? $17.00.
Like many others I have long admired the gorgeous lighting selections Anthropologie offers.
A few months ago I decided to create a knock off version of the Silhouette Lampshade and I still adore that light fixture. But I also needed a little something for my office. The Needlework Garden Shade had me at hello.
What I didn’t like? Well the $128.00 price tag to be sure and the color palette of reds and oranges wasn’t exactly what I had in mind either.
I went back to the store twice to study the lampshade. It appeared that the cream colored fabric had been enhanced with beautiful crewel embroidery and quilted cotton and wool flowers. The fabric was then applied to the lamp shade base.
But as my crewel skills are sadly lacking and my sewing machine doesn’t quite do all that either I had to come up with another plan.
First, I had to find a lamp base that fit the scale I was seeking. A strong contender was this lamp I had purchased from Tuesday Morning eons ago.
Over the years dust had somehow made its way inside the glass column which resulted in a foggy/dirty look that I really was not fond of.
So I taped off the electrical parts and strung it up so that I could give it a good primer coat of a paint.
Warning~ make sure to give your lamp a light sanding first. This creates a rough texture so that the paint has something to grab on to.
Ugh! The paint just peeled right off of the glass section. Start over!
Much better! Like the color?
Next I had to find a lampshade that was a similar shape to the Anthro shade. Target offered up this gem for $7.00. Sold!
I thought that the closest thing to the flowers on the Anthro shade would be a few blooms made from wool felt. I purchased a custom combination of petal styles in shades of teal, turquoise, purple, mustard and fuchsia from Just Greetings.
I then ran the petals through my sewing machine with a contrasting color of thread.
The petals were then hot glued on top of one another.
I cut the leaves out in a freehand fashion but you can find patterns online by googling “leaf templates”. They too received my version of a crewel embroidery treatment. Sing with me…. “Don’t be crewel…”
I then placed the back of the blossoms on the lampshade with just a smidge of hot glue in the center.
The lampshade then sat on my filing cabinet for awhile until I figured out how I wanted to make the stems. I decided upon some Yarn Bee yarn from Hobby Lobby and placed it under the petals and guided it over the lampshade in a willy nilly form. (Oh the excitement!)
I then added in the leaves.
At this point I began to get REALLY excited! It was so pretty.
After everything was in place I added more hot glue to secure the petals and leaves onto the shade.
So once again, the “before”.
The “After”.
I am thinking about how gorgeous this would be done in all creamy neutrals. Hmmmmm.
All lit up,
Laura
sissie says
I love your anthro inspired lampshade. It looks pretty and I love how you used the felt and created stems with the yarn.
hugs
Sissie
Auntie Em says
This will go soooo nicely with your new room. Great idea. And yes, I think it would be gorgeous in neutrals too. Even some natural wool tweeds. I like the cord cover on your lamp. You think of everything!
Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Blondie's Journal says
Beautiful! You put a lot of work into this and it shows. I love it!
XO,
Jane
Karena says
Laura I was in Anthro ( right up the street) just the other day looking at the amazing lampshades. I truly love yours better!!
Oh so many projects so little time!!
PST I have a Giveaway I think you will love!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Tiffany @ {Living Savvy} says
Wow! I love it and love the colors!
Jen says
So clever, and quite honestly, much prettier than the Anthropology shade! I love your color choices, and how savvy to update a lamp you already owned.
Have a great weekend!
Jen
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
You did a great knock off of that beautiful inspiration shade, Laura! I love that you customized the flowers to work with your colors. Love the lamp base transformation, too.
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
This is totally amazing. I love it. You are so clever, I would never have thought of the felt. Love, love, love. Hugs, Marty
Julie Tucker-Wolek says
Looks AMAZING Laura! I loveeeeeeeeeeeee how it turned out!!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):)
Kelley says
Breathtakingly gorgeous, dahling! WOW! The creativity becomes you!
The Boston Lady says
It turned out so well Laura! Ann
Jill Elaine says
That is beautiful and so totally you! Now the same thing done in creamy neutrals? you had me at hello!!!!
Charm Bracelet Diva says
O.M.G. to say I love this is an understatement! You totally nailed this one,it is better than Anthropologie's! I like your colors better, too. You've given me inspiration to make one for my family room, I've been looking a long time for a shade to revamp, maybe it'll be Target for me too! Absolutely gorgeous!
Tammy @BeatriceBanks says
Wow! You did an amazing job! I love it. So pretty!
Miss Sandy says
Laura,
Hands down, I think this is my most favorite how-to/knock off post you have ever done! I ADORE this! Can I pretty please be a copy cat? L*O*V*E
April says
Breathtaking. Astounding. WOW! You DID that YOURSELF?
I'm practically speechless, Laura. This will just have me smiling ALL DAY when I think about all those happy colors and textures!
It's wonderful!
🙂
~april
Craftymoose Crafts says
Great job, Laura! I like your color palette better, too!
Linda says
Hi Laura,
It's me, Linda, writing from my entirely new blog. Not sure where it's going to take me yet, but I wanted to start a new chapter… at the encouragement of my daughter and her best friend.
I love what you did to the lamp – you always come up with the coolest ideas.
Love, Linda
ImagiMeri says
Hi there sweet friend,
Your lamp looks amazing…..you are so freakin' talented!
Just want you to know your always in my thoughts and prayers.
Love ya'
Meri
DREAMS ON 34th STREET ~ French Bread & Family says
Laura,
The detail…just amazing! You have inspired me to try this! I LOVE IT!
I also love how you took your own creative liberty to task!
(Gosh, I stitched so many crewel projects in the 70's. I wonder if I have any muscle memory!)
Have a great weekend, Laura. You are always in my thoughts and prayers!
~Lynne
[w/L]
the language of design says
It just doesn't get any better than this! Love it. Hugs, Karen
Lady Dorothy says
Stunning! You done did good!
jeanetteann says
Laura, your lamp is amazing. You have done such a good job.
xx jeanetteann
openid says
Laura,
One word: PERFECTION.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
Debbie says
I am standing and clapping. Can you hear me?
That is an awesome knock off. I actually love it more than the original. Really, Laura, EXCELLENT.
Tisha says
I love this. I am so going to have to make one. I picked up two lamp shades at the thrift store and they are just sitting there begging to be beautiful This will work!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Terri says
Wow! You did a fabulous job creating your own version of their lamp! I love their lamp, but love, love, love what you did for yourself! Way to go girl!
Thank you so much for sharing the process you went through with us.
Hugs,
Terri
(I love Anthropology too, it's a great place to be inspired!)
Pam says
Wow I love this and I have never seen anything Anthro! I might have to steal your idea hope that is ok. I am saving to pinterest so that I can give you credit if i can ever make one!!!!
Pat@Life At Lydias House says
That is too cute! You did a great job!
Bettyann says
Laura…what a fabulous makeover…can't believe your gorgeous work …have a good weekend..
Kim @ Too Much Time says
Awesome! I featured you today:)
http://too-much-time.com/2012/01/good-morning-sunshine-9.html
Plain Graces says
Fun! Stopping by from Tip Junkie. Great idea and unique!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
Oh how I love a good Anthro knock off! Yours looks fantastic!! THanks
Kristi says
Oh this is gorgeous! The detail you put into that shade is amazing. And I love the blue!! Would be delighted for you to link up to my brand new party at: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/01/mop-it-up-mondays-party-1.html
{HUGS},
kristi
Liz says
Ok! I NEVER would have thought to paint a crystal lamp like that. It awesome. You did such a great job. 🙂
~Liz
Julia C. says
Wow!!!you did a great job!!! Love your lamp!! Julia
Anya says
Looks WAAAAAY better then Anthros shade!
Anya says
Looks WAAAAAY better then Anthros shade!