Lamp Montage
A good lamp brings us light, creates atmosphere and can really add something special to decor. Thrift shops have proven to be a great place to get the kinds of vintage lamps that compliment a romantic room. Here are just a few of the lamps I’ve discovered over the course of my travels.
The lamp up top was, believe it or not, a thrift store acquisition. The roses are hand-painted, the art is signed, and as I recall, I paid $6 for it. Since very few thrift store lamps come with shades, typically they’ll need to be replaced. There are, however, a few places you can get interesting and appropriate lampshades for not 
much money. Like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and even Wal-Mart. In this case, the shade was one I ordered through Ebay.
much money. Like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and even Wal-Mart. In this case, the shade was one I ordered through Ebay.The lamp here at the right was one of my first finds. It was without its globe shade, needed rewiring, and its gilding was pitted. I simply rewired it and gave it a fresh coat of gold paint and sealant. The globe shade came from Southern Oil Lamp & Supply. (You can learn more about them in my Resources/Online Resources section.)
The yellow rose lamp, below left, needed a shade and rewiring. While the lamp itself came from an antique mall, the shade was a thrift store find. This lamp w
as an expensive one for me-- I spent a whopping $20 on it, not counting the $3 shade and about $4 for the rewiring kit.
as an expensive one for me-- I spent a whopping $20 on it, not counting the $3 shade and about $4 for the rewiring kit.The pink lamp you see below, which I use as my nightstand light, came from the Salvation Army. I liked this 
one so much, that when I found two green ones almost identical to it (and each other), I bought both of them. Now they sit on either side of my vanity.
one so much, that when I found two green ones almost identical to it (and each other), I bought both of them. Now they sit on either side of my vanity. The green lamps, ironically, were purchased at two separate antique malls over the course of about
a year. I haven’t been able to find out any specific information on these, but I suspect they’re from the 40s or 50s, and based on the style of the cherubs on the base, they may have been manufactured in Japan.
a year. I haven’t been able to find out any specific information on these, but I suspect they’re from the 40s or 50s, and based on the style of the cherubs on the base, they may have been manufactured in Japan. If anybody has any information on these, or any of these other lamps, I’d certainly love to hear about it. Most books I’ve found on the subject are specific to the TV lamp or art deco lamp categories. So even if you know of a good book that talks about vintage lamps from the 40s and 50s, I’d appreciate the info.
Oh, and lastly. The red-shaded lamp at right isn’t a vintage lamp at all, but a favorite I found at TJ Maxx which I wanted to include. With a shade like that, I simply could not resist. This is in my livingroom.
Happy illuminations!
Copyright 2006-2009 Jenn Thorson. All rights reserved.