When I was about 6 months pregnant I spotted a lampshade online at Anthropologie and had to have it. Being the instant gratification person that I am, I didn’t order it and went to the local Anthro to pick it up. Once I saw it in person I realized it would be a really easy diy! It was my first project for the babe’s room and I love how it turned out. All the fabric “puffs” make it put off a nice soft light.
I started with a basic lamp shade and base from Target. I painted the base a vintage aqua color that coordinated with the rest of the decor in her room.
Now for the star of the show, the lamp shade. Start with strips of fabric (I used a heavy linen) about 4 inches wide.
Cut those strips into 4″ squares. I stopped counting at 200 squares… let’s just say you’re gonna need a lot of them. Obviously the amount will vary depending on the size of shade you use.
Cut the squares into circles. Lots of cutting going on in this project.
Take your glue gun and put a ring shape of glue about half way in the circle. Kinda like a bulls-eye. This part definitely doesn’t have to be perfect and you can adjust how you do the glue to get either a tight puff or more loose.
Take the fabric circle and gather it at the middle to create the little puff. I think I may have ruined my fingerprints forever after doing all of these!
After the glue has cooled, cut the base of the puff off so you’re working with a flat surface to glue to the lampshade.
Add a little hot glue to the base of the puff and stick it to the lampshade. Easy as that! Not gonna lie, it’s a little time consuming but so easy and worth it!
You could do so many variations of this. I’ve been kicking around the idea of painting the edges with gold… we’ll see if that ever happens :) You could dye the linen different shades of one color and glue them on in an Ombre like pattern. Lots of options!
Happy diy-ing!
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Love this! What is the paint color/brand of this antique teal you use?? Love it!
Thanks Layce! The color is Glidden Highest Mountain. I must have gone through 5 or 6 different teal-aqua(ish) colors and this one was just right :)
This is such a gorgeous idea! I will have to do this to something haha. Stop by and say hi :)
Thank you Christina!
Doing this for my first home next May, would look glorious!
Redoing my livingroom Soft retro and found some real 70’s lamps at a goodwill with shades. The shades are in perfect shape … so going to do this with the shades! Thanks for the DIY!
So doing this. I’ve been looking for this idea for my lampshades in my living room for ever.
I’ve started this project (cut all the strips, squares, circles) and have stopped for the night.
Did you have any circles left over or use them all? How big was your shade? I’m hoping I have enough circles to finish tomorrow & am excited to see the final product come together!!
Thanks for the great tutorial!
I cut a bunch in the beginning, but as I got close to the end I cut circles as I went (a few at a time). I was so sick of cutting circles at that point I didn’t want to cut a bunch extra :) I’m sure it turned out great!
This is beautiful. I took an old lamp I bought at a yard sale and then bought a cheap lamp shade from the dollar store and covered in Spiderman material for my grandson’s room. I then made him window curtains and pillow covers for some old pillows to match. It’s amazing what a little craftiness can do.
It might be a little more work but is so worth it!
I love this lamp sooo much, and i’m thinking of taking this project on. I have a question though,,when you have the light on in the lamp, does it still look as cute? Does alot of light shine through?
Hi Kaitlin! I actually think they lamp looks even better when the light is on and the light still shines through. I used a heavier linen to cover it so if you’re concerned with getting more light to shine through maybe try a lighter fabric? Good luck!
Great question- I wonder about the effect of the heat on the glue, too. What about that and any safety issues with fabric flammability? Surely only a low wattage bulb could be used- right?
I just love this! How much fabric total did you purchase or use?
If I remember correctly, I think I used about 2 yards. It will also depend on what size lamp shade you cover, mine was a Target size medium shade.
Thank you for replying to all these additional questions! This is really helpful info!! I love this and I think I might try to do it. I like the look and our son needs less light from his lamp so this might be just the thing!
Does the hot glue get warm and soften or melt? Do you think that fabric glue would work, too? I really want to make this for my room but I want to make sure it is perfect!
Also, What other fabrics would you recommend? do they make this heavy linen in brown?
I really think you could use any fabric you wanted. You can get the linen in lots of different colors too. Good luck!
The hot glue doesn’t get too warm or soften when the lamp is on. Even if it’s been on for a long period of time. I think it would be a lot more difficult to make the puffs with fabric glue just because of the time aspect. It only takes the hot glue about 10 seconds to dry enough to let the puffs sit without having to hold them to shape. Fabric glue would take much longer.
Hi!! so I LOVED this diy! I did it and it came out awesome! I now have people asking if they can place orders. And as much as I loved to make some side cash I also know how much cutting and gluing it involves (pushing my insanity overboard, haha!). So I wanted to ask someone who has done this same project how much you would charge? (it’s a bigger lampshade as well) Thanks so much for your tutorial!!!
Oh gosh, I have no idea what I would charge… probably a lot more than someone would be willing to pay. I would say I would charge at least $100 give or take depending on the hours you put into it. Good luck!
I love what you did with the lamp… just wondering if you have pix of the what you’ve done with the whole room. I’d love to see it.
Working on getting some good quality pics of her room… it’s just so tiny it makes it tricky :) Stay tuned!
could probably use cricut to cut out circles! a lot quicker! its beautiful!!!
Great idea! Thanks!!
Beautifully done!
Do you have any problems with the hot glue becoming gooey again if it gets too hot from the lamp? Looks great!!
Nope, I haven’t had any issues with the glue getting sticky at all. After almost three years! :)
Hello! I’ve bedn reading your weblo for a while
now and finally gott the courag to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas!
Just wantedd tto say keep up the fantastic work!
Three years later and just finding this tutorial-love how mine is turning out! Thanks so much!
Did you spray anything on the fabric after so it didn’t fray over time.
I didn’t. The edges are slightly frayed but since you don’t really touch or mess with the lamp shade it hasn’t frayed at all.
how many yards of heavy linen should I buy for the anthro inspired lamp?
Gosh, it’s been so long ago I’m not sure. I think I used about two yards- but it will vary depending on the size of your lampshade.
Reblogged this on charlotsite's Blog.
fantastic and creative idea
Love this idea! Do you think it can be done with tuile instead of butrlap for more light?
Tulle is kinda tricky to work with but I think it would definitely work (and be super cute!) if you were willing to take the time :) Good Luck!
I can be so … duh !! So you are gathering the flower and gluing it .. and then you are cutting off what you just glued to make it flat??
Haha! Yes, cut last. You can cut the rounded part of the end off while leaving the rest which will still be glued together. Hope that makes sense :)
Thanks for clarifying … think I got it :)