This idea has a lot going for it – it’s simple and inexpensive.  It doesn’t require anything but fabric, a rubberband or two and some decorative ribbon.  Yet it has the potential to give a decorative planter or lamp base a makeover.  

We moved from California to Arizona in 1991.  At first I wanted to blend into my new state and bought a couple of southwestern themed items for the home – one was a lamp.  After living with that for a couple of months I came to realize that I may live in the dessert but I’m most comfortable in a eccentric country and mediterranean decor.  I was raised to do with what you have and as a stay-at-home mom money was tight so I knew if the lamp was to be saved I needed to get creative.  

I took the lamp shade and bulb off and started weighing my options.  Painting would not work because the lamp base was raised.  I needed to cover this thing up and fast – hmm?? – it needed a garment.  I went upstairs and gathered a piece of navy blue cotton fabric.  I spread the fabric out with the wrong side towards me, sat the lamp in the center and started gathering the fabric up towards the neck of the lamp.  The fabric was separated in the back to allow for the electrical cord.   I was able to secure the fabric at the top of the lamp with a rubber band and then tuck the ends back into the rubber band which hid the edges.  A piece of raffia tied into a bow to hide the rubber band and the lamp was transformed into something I liked and still works for me today.  A bottle of acrylic paint was used on the tan lamp shade to pull the navy color in. 

I have had success using this process on my navy blue household planters when the pots need to be blend with a party theme (see top picture).  This is also a great idea to use to refurbish thrift store finds and because there are so many fabrics the skies the limit on different options.