It was a sunny Saturday when it came into our lives: our Rescue Lamp. We didn’t set out that morning to adopt a stray, beaten-down lamp, but when we saw it there, lonely, forgotten, abused, marked down to $1 at a yard sale…
We knew we had to rescue it and give it a good home.
It appeared Lamp had been abandoned to fend for itself, and there was evidence it had been abused, such as its broken leg:
(It couldn’t even stand up straight.)
Plus a few wayward bruises…
…its skinny appearance and, most of all, its skittish, shamed demeanor:
The first step to Lamp’s rehabilitation was to mend its broken bones and heal its bruises. Andy took on the role of physical therapist, and had it mended and straight in no time, with the use of needlenose pliers and sheer, manly, brute strength.
We were relieved to see Lamp’s bones heal, and see it begin to stand up a little straighter, but we knew there was more to be done to make it beautiful. Enter Rub-n-buff, Antique Gold, which I picked up here.
(Remember in the last post when we talked about the brass/bronze decor trend? It was all a ploy by me to make you think I’m not crazy for trying to make this shiny brass lamp look like antique bronze with a natural patina.)
I squeezed some Rub-n-Buff onto a sock and began massaging Lamp.
Here you can see Lamp’s base, where I had used the Rub-n-buff to take out some of that offensive brass shininess.
And here you can see on the left, a before, and on the right, the after. Lamp was really starting to look like someone cared…
…like someone was willing to get their hands dirty in its defense.
Now I’m happy to show you that Lamp stands taller, straighter, prouder…
…and you can see its beautiful rub-n-buff patina, how it looks a little more like real, well-loved expensive bronze.
Sometimes I catch Lamp alone at night, remembering its past life on the streets. Thankful to have found a place where it belongs, a purpose.
Lamp has found home with us here. It lives in the office, giving off beautiful task lighting upon our new desk, which I’ll be showing you soon.
Here again is Lamp’s before and after:
Truly a story of how love can transform even the most battered, broken down mutts and make them shine. Have your lamps spayed or neutered.
P.S.: Lamp got spiffed up even more. We hacked it so it runs on batteries! See how you can make any lamp cordless here.
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Hi, I'm Kelly. Glad you're here! This little blog is where I chronicle our efforts to fix up our beaten-down home on a tiny budget. We're not there yet, but here's a peek at the view along the way...
I will always gets my lamps spayed in the future. You are such a responsible lamp owner.
Lamp looks lovely! I’ve never used rub-n-buff though I have thought about it many times. Someday.
Totally addicting. I wanted to apply it to every surface!
i think that lamp was probably sitting in a window singing the song “maybe” from annie, and then you came along like daddy warbucks and saved it and it is going to live a long and happy life full of songs and dances.
Hahaha! Best comment ever! 🙂
HAHAHA. Lamp needs its own broadway production.
I’ve never even HEARD of rub-n-buff….that lamp looks awesome. Good work, Kelly and Andy!
You are the Bob Barker of stray lamps everywhere! It’s gorgeous – you really did that sad, malnourished little guy justice!
Kelly
Aw, this made me a little bit sad! But yay for happy endings!! I’ve never heard of rub-n-buff. Must lock that one away for the future!
Awesome! I love the look of it now and such a great deal!
It looks great! I have a sad lamp that needs some love!!
Ohhh I NEED to try some rub-n-buff I swear I have thought about buying it about a million times! That stuff is magic I swear! Thank you for the inspiration and what a perfect lamp!
Jaime
So good of you to take lamp gently under your sock and buff him back to health.
In the words of my good friend Brick – “I love lamp”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gId6nrMDmUU
Yes! Any friend of Brick is a friend of mine! (PS: I think they’re coming out with a sequel?! CAN NOT WAIT.)
Love that new (old) patina! That brushed finish is beautiful and makes all the difference!
Oh if only my next door neighbor had your compassion and rescued sad little broken and brassy lamps … instead of feral cats, squirrels, and pigeons …
I don’t think any amount of rub and buff could improve the pigeons who now roost on my roof … and poop on my freshly painted porch rug!
Love this post! One of my faves …
🙂
Linda
Seriously?! And I bet there’s no line in the homeowner’s association agreement about collecting live pigeons either, is there? (How dare they poop on that famous porch rug!)
I ADORE rub n buff — just bought some in silver to try a mixed metallic finish on a project. So happy for lamp… :-D. Your good deed for the day!
xo heidi
Looking good lamp! I need to look into this rub n buff stuff!
Now he’s like the belle of the ball … or whatever that saying is. 🙂
i have never even heard of this rub and buff stuff! it’s so cool! and i love the use of the sock for an application…gotta work with what you have!
I never would have thought to do this. It is such a subtle change but makes a huge difference. LOVE IT.
It looks awesome {and I love the commentary, ha!!!} I’ve been looking for a reason to try Rub-n-Buff…
Ooh try it! It’s so addicting! And one tube goes so far that I now want to apply it to EVERYTHING.
Rub-n-Buff. I’ve never heard of this magical stuff before. Must try.
(Will you still be my friend if I admit to liking the before too. :))
You are too funny. Love Rub n Buff and love that lamp.
I love the way that you write…. I was truly feeling desperation for this lamp! Love the post and the final product amazing!
“Refuses to look us in the eye” Hahahaha…Kills me! And I can’t believe you found that lamp for ONE little dollar. It looks all classy and expensive thanks to your compassionate care. I tried rub-n-buff for the first time recently and had to talk myself out of turning around from my finished project and just starting on the walls. That stuff is amazing! (Definitely keeping it on hand for when the weather makes spray painting a no go.)
Absouletly love it! I am a HUGE fan of brass 🙂
Wow, this light is amazing! Even all beat up and bruised, it was beautiful — good find. And, I’ve never even heard of rub and buff, but I’m totally going to try it — the finish is great!
I’m glad the lamp found a forever home 🙂 It looks amazing!
Bless your hearts for taking in such a dilapidated lamp and nursing it back to health. My question is, who rescued who?
$1????? It’s so very beautiful! I can’t believe someone had the gall to abuse something with such lovely bones! I am so pleased it got such a fancy-pants makeover and now has a nice home!
Hello! I love it! It looks so high end now. I neeeeeed one for myself!
I love this!
Hahaha I love your description of the Rescue Lamp! I’ve never used Rub and Buff before but I do have some brass pieces that are a little too shiny for my taste so I’ll be sure to put your tutorial to good use 🙂
It looks great now! I recently rescued a similar lamp, and I think it’s so much happier now with us 🙂 Thanks for posting!
hahahahahaha! Great post, and great makeover 🙂
Really great makeover! It looks brand new now, awesome job!
Thanks for joining the Keep Calm and Link Up party!
Barbara @ Chase the Star
What a great transformation. So glad he is all better and shining a light in the dark. 🙂 I would love it if you would share this on Tout It Tuesday. http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/08/tout-it-tuesday-19.html
Awesome transformation! And that Price! Wow. I’ve never used Rub n Buff, but I just picked up some candlesticks at Restore that could use some of it. Thx for sharing. I’d love for you to stop by and join my linky party, Twirl & Take a Bow. It’s every Tuesday. Hope you can stop by!
This has to rank among the best transformations ever! I love the lamp now with the subtle finish —quick question: did you remove the lacquer or just apply the miracle stuff on top of the lacquer?
Thanks a bunch for sharing this one….
Thanks! I did exactly nothing to the finish before applying the miracle gunk. I didn’t even clean it. 🙂
That is totally awesome!!! I’ve heard of Rub and Buff, but the results are even better than I thought they’d be!!!
–Katie
@ Creatively Living
Kelly, thank you for adding this to the Rub ‘n Buff Linky Party! What a difference changing the sheen on your lamp made – it’s crazy!
I am seriously so glad I found your blog. First I love how it’s written, its very fun to read. Second amazing tips!! So a couple of weeks ago I found a lamp very similar to this but its a floor lamp, you know the kind that are very much in style and cost an arm and leg 🙂 it too was only $4 and very sad and neglected.. it has the ugly brass shade and base with the stand being wood… I had no idea this product even existed! so excited to try this out.
Thanks so much!
camille davis @ imperfectly imaginable
Soooo… I just stumbled upon your blog and I, like Lamp, feel like I have found a home!! This project is everything. Right up my alley. As are the 2 others I’ve already seen. And I just love your let’s-not-take-ourselves-too-seriously style. Wit & irreverence mixed in with a perfect amount of details/info. So it’s after 2:30 AM but I cannot stop now… Hello?! We’ve got years of catching up to do!
WHY would you get rid of shininess? I think dulling the shine makes it look like someone doesn’t care, not the other way around. That and you will get rub and buff all over EVERYTHING. I spent MANY Saturday mornings buffing brass to a high gloss.