My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

Thrifted Lamp Turned Concrete Lamp

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I found this lamp at a thrift store for $5…did I need a lamp? …No…could I pass this one up?… absolutely not! When I found it, I knew I wanted to try to turn it into a concrete lamp. I have never done this before so I didn’t even know if it would turn out.

I’m sure there are other cement mixtures that could be used that would stick even better, like a cement repair, but I wanted it to be “grainy/stoney” so here’s how I did it…I mixed high strength quikrete concrete mix…

The mixture was an “oatmeal like“ consistency before I smeared it on.

Using gloves, I smeared it on, thicker in some places than others. I wanted the design to show through the concrete so I went very light over the lamp’s design area.

I made it a lot thicker on the top of the lamp, to give it more of a natural concrete look. Being a quick drying concrete, the thicker parts even dried in an hour!

I didn’t want any of the original color of the lamp to show through so I added a bit more in some places that weren’t completely covered, after the first dried coat.

When it was completely dry, I used 150 grit sandpaper to smooth it out just a little. I made sure not to sand off too much so that the underside would still be covered.

I absolutely love it! It’s exactly what I was envisioning!

I thought about sealing it, but since it’s not going to be something that is necessarily “high traffic“, I think it will be fine with no sealer. it does leave a little dust on my hands when I touch it, but it stuck to the lamp really well!

I would love to hear in the comments below what you think of my “thrifted lamp gone concrete” and if this is a project that you would think about taking on!

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Comments

    • I LOVE how you can turn thrifted items into amazing pieces of furniture, lamps, coffee tables, picture frames…you have a talent for making anything beautiful!! ????????????I can’t wait to see everything in your new build!!! ????????????????????????????????????????????

      • I love how creative and industrious you are. Such s beautiful lamp to start with. I’d probably just have painted it but you gave it an entirely new look. Wow! Love it!

    • I never doubt your vision and love to see your finds from the OPT ! Love it! ????@t_smak

  3. I love the transformation! It’s fun to watch you give new life to these old/outdated items. ???? @amymadduxcooley

  4. I would never have thought to do that with the lamp. But wow! I absolutely love it ????????. Just recently started following your account and I love it! Thank you for bringing sunshine to my day!
    @amandalelton

  5. Love the lamp. I love even more that you exposed some of the raised design and covered it up in some areas! Great technique! ????

  10. It looks amazing as usual!! I love all your tutorials ????????????????????????????
    (Tiffyj7 on Instagram)

  11. I love love how it turned out. I am going to try it on something smaller to start. ????????

  12. It’s amazing how you can see an object I wouldn’t even consider buying and turn it into something so incredible! You truly have a gift to see the potential in things ????????

  13. I love this process. Your projects are unconventional, yet work so well. Please keep sharing!

  15. It turned out so great! I’m on the look out for a lamp to try this technique on.
    Janiefox2 on IG

  16. This is so beautiful! I get so much inspiration from your work!!!!????????

  17. I think I love this lamp but I am having trouble seeing it. Could you please just mail it to me and I then can give an honest opinion. I will in turn send it back one day in the not so near further. Thank you❤️ My name is not Heather.

  20. O my goodness! I love how this turned out! Ill be honest…wasnt sure about it when you started the process…but as always your work is AMAZING and turns out soo cute! ????

    thelilredbarncompany is my instagram name

  21. You’re so creative and inspirational! You have a beautiful family and live for God!

  22. Such an interesting technique!! Always quirky, but the results are????????????????
    ????????????????

  24. I so love your blog posts!! It’s perfect to refer back to! ???????? -@amberregister

  28. ???? I love the lamp now! I couldn’t see what you saw. I want to be brave and try this!
    @sheryltututilly

  29. I love the way this turned out. I definitely want to try it! ????
    @oetremoi

  31. I love how you see the potential in EVERYTHING!!!! You are so inspiring! I have a house and barn full of things that I hope to transform someday!!! A kindred spirit… love all your projects and your out look on life!????????????????????????????????????????

  32. Always love your projects! I think Heather is loving this one too!????????????

  33. It turned out so perfect! I honestly admire your eye, I would never have seen the lamp done this way. Great job, as always! ????

  34. Natalie, is there no end to your talent????? Again this turned so beauiful.:)
    Love your stories and post and DIY…I only WISH I could do 1/4th of what you do.

    Tell Hallie congrats on graduation

    God Bless your Family …..

    • ???????????????????????? I forgot to leave this emoji ????????????????????????????????

  38. I’m going to try this! You inspire me! But will I be able to recreate or will it be a hot mess? Lol ????

  42. This lamp turned out so great!! You find such amazing things at your thrift shops ????
    @Kimberly_Sanford77

  45. I love what you did with the lamp!! ????????Love the painting you got for free too!! ???? @nancysthename ????

    • Wow, you dId it again Natalie! Trash to treasure. It’s stunning!!????????????????????????????

  49. Wow, you dId it again Natalie! Trash to treasure. It’s stunning!!????????????????????????????

  50. Well Natalie…you have done it again girlfriend!! Woohoo!????????????????????????????????Great job and thank you for always inspiring us to be better!!????
    @swisschalet

  51. Just love everything you create, the fam, and the treasures found at the OPT! ????????????

  53. Love your projects & seeing your stories on Instagram! You brighten my day! I love that you are so down to earth. Thank you for sharing. Also, t hi s lamp is pretty cool ???? one day I’ll I’ll get brave and redo one! I did sand down one of my dining room chairs a month ago lol.. only 5 to go.. I might just need to spray them like you did the purple chairs! Anyway, thank you for sharing your DIY and vintage thrifts ????????????????
    @amber_mackay

  54. It’s absolutely stunning! One of these days I’m going to get brave enough to try some of these things! Just love following you ????????????????????????

  55. 11heavenlygifts
    I forgot to leave my IG handle in my last comment ????????????????????????????

  57. Love it! I think it isn’t too complicated and I could take on the project! ????????

  60. I love watching your projects. It makes me look at things in a different way when I’m thrifting????????@angiepmartin

  62. It looks so good! As usual, your vision to transform things into something more beautiful just floors me. ????????????????

  65. Wow! Just wow! ???????????? I love how you share your talents with us. Thank you!!

  66. Natalie, I love how your mind works when you see something and envision what you can turn it into. If we could all be so lucky to have your talent. Your are a true artist. I love the concrete lamp and can’t wait to see all of your creations in your new home when it gets built. ????????

  67. I don’t know why I’m always impressed how cute thing like this turn out! I should know better than to doubt you!! ????????@thehotseason

  68. As usual, I’m over here in awe of your creativity and unique ability to change something from blah to beautiful! ????
    @jessicanoelle

  70. ????Another amazong transformation! You have much patience & determination with these projects. Love that your write detailed instructions with each one. (Jealous of your Lake Winnipesakie tshirt)???? @vintagetrail

  73. ???? Once again you took something that I wouldn’t look twice at, and made it beautiful!
    @the_sandycat

  74. Absolutely love it. Especially how the pattern underneath came through. Now I want one. Do I need another lamp? Noooo! So now I need an end table to put this future lamp on! It’s a slippery slope, these thrifting and redo adventures!

  76. I love watching you transform ol’ “junk” into gorgeous home decor!! ????????????
    @carolemomof4

  77. I love what you did here! You have such vision … to see the potential in so many things! @flmgreg

  78. It looks like a very expensive designer lamp now! Great job!! Love watching your projects. ????

  79. I just love it!!???????? I’m so inspired by your projects!! Been looking for a dresser to refinish????Found on TODAY????????Going to pick it up later????
    Can’t wait to get started????????
    Lost my little pup last week unexpectedly , so looking forward to getting started on a project????????????
    Love watching your stories and reading your blog!

  80. I love it!!???? This is one of my favorites of yours so far. I have been wanting to try some of these techniques on some outside pots. I think it’s time.

  81. I think I’m going to leave the same comment on every post. You make me contemplate giving up my MCM colors for more muted colors.
    ????
    tularosa00

  83. I’m here for the DIY’s, dumpster diving, OPT store shopping and ‘inspiring’ Heather as much as possible. (Jk. Kinda.)

  85. That looks amazing! I always love how your projects turn out and you keep me laughing everyday????

  88. ???? love this lamp & the process. Can I come shopping with you? For reals.

    aubsajober

  91. ???????? Ah! This is the tutorial I’ve been looking for! I have 2 cheapy pots that I want this look for so now I can try it myself!!

  92. Another win! What amazing deal! You could sell these lamps, but I guess shipping would be pricey!

  96. I know whoever you are renting from must be kicking herself for not letting you “update” the rental. I can’t wait to see your new house. ????????????????????????

  97. You are truly a light and oh so talented, love following along with your journey. ????????

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