That is what hubby wanted me to title this post. I told him what I wanted to do, then got out the camera and he sighed, glared at me and said “Make sure you title that blog post How I Ruin Antiques”. I burst out laughing. I have no idea if it’s an antique, nor does he. It was my grandfather’s. It could be ancient or it could be from 1995. Who knows. All I know is that it had no lampshade, was taking up precious space in my home, and quickly nearing my junk box. I like the structure but wasn’t digging the tarnished brass. My hubby and from what I hear, other men too, are funny about painting things. It’s horrifying to him. In my defense, I love good antiques and don’t run around painting perfectly nice things.
That dresser that it’s sitting on was my great grandmother’s. It used to be white. My mom stripped it and I love it and appreciate it in all of it natural, imperfect glory.
There are some things that need a little help though. Things that a little paint won’t hurt.
I had hubby remove all the electrical stuff from the lamp and then put it back together again so it looked like this
Then I cleaned it
and took a picture of it in front of a very dirty mirror and next to a dirty window. I cleaned the mirror and washed the window, then painted the no longer a lamp thingy.
And made it a beautiful candle stand.
That, my friends, is how I ruin maybe antiques. I think it’s a nice way for the ugly old lamp to start the new year!
Side note: I wrote this blog post on Saturday. Between then and now when I am publishing it, I have had dreams about my grandpa. In them, he has complained about me going to a family dinner in jeans and not being dressed up but he didn’t say anything about the lamp, so I guess he’s okay with it 
Added to Kimba’s DIY Day. Check it out!
I liked your ruined antique- I think it’s rather ingenious.
I’m also loving your yellow walls- painting our great room yellow is one of the first things we did after buying our home last year, and I love to see how others work with it. Really inspiring!
.-= Rae´s last blog ..Sunday Inspiration- yes, I know it’s long. =-.
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it’ perfect. I didn’t like the before either. Or, I would not have chosen it myself rather. As a candleholder, yes!
.-= Denise´s last blog ..Introducing =-.
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I love it! What kind of paint do you use??
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Stripping paint or adding paint — looks fabulous to me!
.-= Squawkfox´s last blog ..Happy Blogiversary! Year Two on Squawkfox! =-.
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Tana, I used spray paint. Can’t find the container to tell you specifics right now. How do I lose spray paint? Hmph.
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I think you ruined it very nicely! With all the lamp works gone I immediately saw a candle holder too! Great job!
.-= Amy Lynne´s last blog ..Pantry Inventory =-.
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LOVE it! I’m glad I have your blog to come up with awesome ideas for me. This would never have occurred to me
.-= Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog ..Making Throw Pillows =-.
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Now that’s just downright smart! I’m sure your grandpa would just love the fact that you enjoy something of his, however you see fit. LOVE THIS POST!
.-= Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Bunches of baskets =-.
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Lol, I occasionally “ruin antiques” and it horrifies my mother.
I love it as a painted candleholder! Repurposed and used is a million times better to me anyway.
.-= This Thrifted Life´s last blog ..Streamlined =-.
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You didn’t RUIN, it you RESCUED it!
I think it looks awesome.
.-= Kimm´s last blog ..How Do You Do Winter? =-.
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I like it, and I really like that your Grandpa seems to approve.
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ha, you just gave it a little facelift is all! Love it!
.-= melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog ..Ten: Design Solutions to Kick off Your Resolutions =-.
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Hilarious title! I love your “ruined” antique much better than the original it is fabulous. I had no idea you do that with a lamp thanks for the idea!!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Old Shirt to a New Dress =-.
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Oh ya, you did the right thing…much better, antique or not it is a huge improvement.
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Wow that turned out much nicer ruined than not. I love this idea.
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i had to laugh at the title of this post!
you didn’t ruin ANYTHING, it turned out great!
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Haha- mine has the same fear, but I do it anyway
Check out my chair I did, that I’ve gotten a few comments about painting it:
http://design-aholic.blogspot.com/2009/10/reveal.html
-Amy
.-= Amy @ design-aholic´s last blog ..Bathroom Before and After: PART 1 =-.
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I love it! Clearly this am-I-an-antique-or-not lamp was meant to be a candle stand.
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I am with you – better to paint and re-use than box up and junk it … but as you have rightly observed … most men think it is somewhere this side of soul destroying .. best le
.-= le´s last blog ..Meet the Artist =-.
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Woo Hoo! I think your grandpa would be proud! Remember the “make do or do without”? And, girl … you certainly did a FABULOUS “make do”.
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[...] How I Ruin Antiques from Remodeling This Life [...]
I have to say, it’s a great title, and frankly, i like how you ruined it.
now living in Italy, people constantly ruin antiques and that;s how you get a layered culture
:0-s0
.-= Craft Rose´s last blog ..Green Design Trends in Fashion World 2010 =-.
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I loved your post. I spray painted a piece of collectible pottery that was handed down to me. I didn’t care for the colors, but loved the shape. So
I altered it to my liking. I kept it for years, then grew tired of it. I knew I could get some money for it and removed the paint with chemical stripper.
It looked brand new. When I told the antique dealer this his face went white, but he still bought it from me, as it was no worse for the wear. So you are not ruining anything, just making it better for your style.
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i want to paint my grandmother’s piano but my husband says i’ll ruin it.
.-= melissa stover´s last blog ..Featured Fan Friday ~ Elizabeth =-.
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Love it. My husband is happy letting me paint maybe antiques. Yours came out great.
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Emily I would have never thought to do that! I love it!!
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..How to make delicious easy Lattes at home! =-.
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Someone in my family hates antiques (“I grew up with that crap”) and believes wood should NEVER be painted. I don’t understand either opinion. I figure that if I own it, I can do whatever I want to it. And if I don’t own it but it’s on my property, it’s up for grabs too!
Of course, the value of antiques is their rarity so if we ruin some antiques we’re just helping out someone else. hehe
.-= Sherry Ball Schoenfeldt´s last blog ..My First Giveaway =-.
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I don’t see how he wouldn’t be OK with it! It looks wonderful, and I agree that it’s better to repurpose it than to junk it altogether. Great job!
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[...] of you that all while this project was going on, my husband was rolling his eyes and mumbling about how i ruin antiques. By the time it was done, even he was admitting it was really cute. He even told me I did a nice [...]
candle holders that are made of porcelain or brass are very nice looking but a bit expensive compared to cast iron.,.
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