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Monday, January 31, 2011

Huge Finial

Do You Recognize this?

This was my big $4 find at a thrift store back in December.
This is what it looked like when I bought it.
I knew it could be something fabulous.
A Big, Huge, Crazy, Nicknack.
It's almost three feet tall.
The electrical did work in this lamp and I put off making this transformation because 
I hesitated to take out the wiring just in case I did want to use it as a lamp.
But finally, I decided to just go for it. 
The moment I saw it, I knew it would make a great, huge, chippy, white finial.
I covered the hole left in the top that was left after removing the socket and wire with a small
wood finial that I bought at Michael's.
I did not glue it in place because as one reader suggested back when I first posted it -
it might make a really cool Christmas tree stand. 
I agree, I have a skinny pink aluminum tree that might fit in the hole.
Although I have not tried it yet.
Or I might put some great big huge tissue paper flowers coming out of it on really long stems.
Anyway...I wanted to keep my options open.

This lamp was made of plaster and had a few chips in it but after being painted I can't even find
them any more. 

Sorry, Steve (An Urban Cottage)...I know you voted for painting it a great color, adding a barrel shade and keeping it as a lamp.
I know this would have been fabulous....but I carried it around my house and just could not imagine it
fitting in with my decor...so I went with chippy white. 

in other news....

Today is my Blogiversary!

As of today, I've been doing this for a year.
To celebrate I had a CSN Stores Giveaway.
and the winner is #27

I'll be emailing you your code so you can go shopping at CSN!!!!

It's been a great year of blogging, due entirely to all the unbelievably talented, nice and thoughtful 
people I've met through this.

and finally....

We are awaiting a blizzard here in Oklahoma City that is due to hit tonight about 10 pm.
We are suppose to get ice first...which is the worst part.
Last time we had an ice storm...I lost trees.
I don't want to lose any more trees.

This is the first big snow of the year for us. We've only had some minor dustings up till now.
It was 75 degrees here on Saturday.
A friend and I were out running around and decided we were dressed way to warmly and now 
it's going to be like 10 degrees.

Do you have snow on it's way to you? 
I guess its hitting lots of places. 
I feel terrible for all of you that have already been hit this year several times.

I hit the grocery store yesterday and am ready to buckle down.

sharing at

68 comments:

Unknown said...

The finial is divine. I mean it, it is amazing. I can't wait to see what vignette you create around it!

The Vintage Farmhouse said...

Loooove it! I would have never thought of doing that!! Good luck on the ice, we are getting hit here in Indiana. Stay safe and warm! ♥

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Congrats on your blog anniversary! Glad my friend Robin won your give away!

Now that finial! WOW...fantasitc idea and it turned out wonderful!

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

Love it...So much prettier now..

Stay warm and safe..

Blessings Kelsie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Nita, how cool that you found a finial to fit in the hole to make that complete. It looks like it was always like that. You did a great job painting it. Happy blogaversary. I didn't know you started the day after me.

Cindi Myers said...

HaPpY BloGiVeRsArY!!!!!!
I can't begin to express how happy I am that I found you and your blog!
Your blog is always so lovely and funny too. I LOVE seeing what you come up with next. I adore your puppies and I have found several great blogs through your blog.
I am looking forward to this next year and reading your posts.
Please stay warm and safe during this bad weather. We are supposed to get hit with the worst snowstorm since the recordbreaking one of 1979!
Thanks for being a great friend!
XOXO - Cindi
Oops! and Congrats! Robin :)

Wendy said...

Fabulous! What a great vision...love it :)

Dawn said...

What a find...you are so fab. You did such a great job on painting it...so impressed. Happy blogiversary too...Dawn Suitcase Vignettes..XX

An Urban Cottage said...

NITA!!!! I think today is my blogiversary too!

Your finial looks awesome! It looks like it's always been like that. It sounds like you have lots a great possibilities for it and it's nice you left your options open.

Good luck with the storm. Stay safe.

Steve

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Nita, Thank you! I am so excited to win your blogiversary giveaway! Can't wait to go shopping at CSN! Love following your blog :)
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Nita - I just found your blog not too long ago and I'm so glad I did. I enjoy reading all your posts and see all the beautiful pictures of your home. Thanks for sharing. The finial is beautiful --great find and even better transformation. Jana

Olive said...

Holy finial Batgirl!

Happy Anniversary♥

Anne said...

One fantastic word...WOW!!!

Allison said...

Happy Blogiversary, Nita! Love the finial painted white. That was a fun find! Congratulations to Robin. I'll say a prayer for you that you don't lose any more trees. Take care!

Anonymous said...

Wow, so much to comment on with this post! First - Happy anniversary! I think I have followed you most of this year, and have loved every minute of it - you are a really special friend, and I'm so glad we met in the blog world! Second - love, love, LOVE the finial, and holy wowzers, I NEVER would have seen that - you rocked it!!! And third - I am in Dallas, and have spent the day being jealous of OKC, the news just keeps saying "we will get some ice/snow here in DFW, but it will MAINLY start in OKC", lmao. Dangit, sounds like we will miss out again!! ;) Enjoy being buckled down! -Jealous to your South, Dawn. (teehee!)

Meadowsweet Cottage said...

That has to be my favorite before and after EVER! Love it and I'm completely jealous, lol. Happy Anniversary and stay cozy!

Unknown said...

Love, love, love this finial! You did a great job refinishing it!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

I do remember this piece and knew it was going to look great. Love big, huge knick knacks. Just did a post this a.m. on cleverness. This certainly fits the bill.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

It's fantastci - great job and what a bargain! Happy Blogiversary as well, mine is tomorrow :)

Adam Hazlett said...

Nita,
Happy Anniversary!!! You have one of the most enjoyable blogs. That finial is amazing, it looks like it would have cost $400 at Anthropolgie or the Pottery Barn. You should do a "how to" post on it. I love how you can see an items potential.....If I bought stuff like that at thrift stores, I would probably end up on a episode of Hoarders screaming at the cleaning crews that "I have plans for that lamp." Stay safe in the ice storm. Cool and sunny here in Vegas, with a slight breeze expected here mid week.
Your Pal,
Adam

"Create Beauty" said...

That is GORGEOUS!!!! Wow!!!! What a fantastic idea. You made it into something beautiful!!!!
Happy Blogging Anniversary!

~ Violet

Connie said...

Your blog is one of my very favorites always informative and entertaining. You can apply your creative eye to every little thing.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand during the bad weather and always.

Amy Chalmers said...

That is amazing Nita! I think it cannot be a knick knack cuz it is too big!! It has to be a statement piece! Looks great, I never would have thought of that.

Jane@Little House of Projects said...

I love it!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Hi nita. The finial looks great. Amazingly clever! Sorry you are getting a blizzard. We've already had five feet here in Mass. In the middle of another foot! Enough all ready! I'm sorry you lost your job. I havent been here in a little while. I hope everything goes ok for you. I think you are a kick and i want good things for you! :)

The Inspired Nest said...

I just did a post on my pottery barn finial knock off's a few weeks ago. Mine were not near the size. This is truly amazing and something that will last forever! I am in awe!
Lacy

Anonymous said...

I paint lamps all the time to make them fit my new decor, but I've never turned one into a finial. Really love the chippy white! Your piece looks very in style, especially considering what it started out as!

Savannah Granny said...

Great finial. I like it much better than as a lamp. Good eye to come up with this one. Congrats on the blogging anniversary. I am new just started in Oct. I am your newest follower. Please come over to visit me. I saw on another blog that you like vintage bathrooms. I just posted a bathroom redo of my daughter's. I think you may like. Come on over and follow me as well. Hugs, Ginger

Lindy said...

That has got to be the best thrift store buy on record. I love the "before" and the "after"!

Olivia said...

Oh my goodness this is just heavenly! I love it!
Squishy Hugs,
Olivia

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Loving that big ol' nicknack!

Happy Blogiversary!

Miss Char said...

WOW WOW WOW, what an eye for re purposing. I'm totally impressed that you looked at that big old lamp and saw a beautiful centerpiece for a room. Thanks so much for sharing.

Homeroad said...

Oh my Goodness! That was one of the most clever things I've ever seen... how did you see that finial in that old lamp??? Very clever!
Susan

KarenB said...

You were right! It turned out fabulous! How fun!

Paulette, Jvona & Rachel said...

*SIGH* one more thing to be on the look out for at the thrift store. ;-D
Beautiful!

the old white house said...

I have to agree with craftewoman! I never would have thought of that! OHhhhh just when I thought I had enough projects to do! It is fabulous! Theresa xoxo

Unknown said...

this turned out beautiful. great idea to change it from the lamp

Debra@CommonGround said...

Nita, this is wonderful, your really a girl with vision, and smarts!! LOVE the chippy white. So glad you came to the party!
big hugs,
Debra

oneshabbychick said...

What fun! $4... unbelievable. great paint job, great vision...

My Dream Canvas said...

This is so lovely! You have a great blog. I am hosting a giveaway on my blog...hope to see you there:-) hugs Anu

Donna said...

What an awesome and creative idea! I never would have thought of turning a lamp into a giant finial! The color is perfect, too. We had our snowstorm the other day, just finally got dug out! Keep warm!

Anonymous said...

Love the huge finial!! I have a silver piece like the one pictured with the lamp and would love to know what you did with it!

bee blessed
mary

Robyn said...

WOW! You have wonderful vision! It's gorgeous now! WTG! ...btw, I'm adding you to my sidebar so I don't miss anything fabulous like this finial ;-)

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

That lamp base made a fabulous decorative piece, Nita! I like it with the distressed white finish. The idea to use it for a tree stand sounds like an interesting option, as well.

Happy blogiversary!!! I just celebrated my first year on January 11th.

Thanks for linking to the party each week!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Brenda Pruitt said...

It doesn't even look remotely the same! It's gorgeous! I just talked to one of my daughters in Tulsa. They can't get out their front door. There's a foot and a half of snow!
Brenda

Angie Holden said...

NO WAY!! You are a total GENIOUS!!!!!!

Noble Vintage said...

wow!! I remember when you showed this after you bought it- what a fantastic transformation. I never would have guessed it was the same piece.
I'd love it if you would like to link this up to my new party- every Wednesday. (it's still available for this week's if you get it in by the end of the day.)
:) Have a great weekend.

Audrey Pettit said...

Love your big, huge, chunky, artsy finial! makes a great architectural piece. :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Such an inspired find Nita!! It looks fantastic all shabby and pretty and I just love how it turned out! It would look adorable as a tree stand too- soo sweet! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday! :) Stay warm and dry!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Grabbed your darling weenies button too!! :)

Carole said...

WOW you're good I have to admit I would have past on that lamp at first glance. Great job!
x
carole

Good Junque said...

I just love this!!!

I posted about it on my blog!

http://goodjunque.blogspot.com/2011/02/featured-blog-post-mod-vintage-life.html

Staci @ Life's Sweeter with Chocolate said...

How smart! Love this!

InMyOwnStyle said...

Your lamp transformation truly shows how a simple tweak ot two can bring something back to life. It would look perfect in my family room. Now I am going to be searching for some big old ugly lamps.
My best- Diane

Unknown said...

Love this finial transformation-found you at a party-great job!

Sam | Away She Went said...

I'm a new follower from Better After. I saw this and fell in love! I can't even express how much I love and want this finial! I'm adding huge, ugly lamp to my shopping list this weekend!

Vicky said...

I absolutely love this. I hope you don't mind that I made a comment about it in my blog. It is just gorgeous - and it made my imagination go crazy for a lamp I saw at Goodwill. I hope you visit my blog and take a look at how you inspired me.

Amy Taylor said...

I totally love this idea! I am on the lookout for an ugly lamp now!!!

Honey at 2805 said...

So great and for only $4! I have been looking for a lamp to convert but just having found the right one yet. I have happily become your latest friend and follower.

O.C. said...

I wish I could find something like that! Great find!

KimMalk said...

Hi Stacy, I ADORE this! I transformed a lamp similarly this way, BUT I love the shape of yours so much more. I'll definitely be looking for one of these!

Jeannetta said...

That finial is fabulous! I'll be on the lookout now! Well done :)

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

That is phenomenal! I love it!

Tracy Wills said...

Wow, that is fabulous! What a great idea.

Allison Shops said...

That was a great idea. It makes a perfect giant finial.
Dropping by from How To's Day. Hope you'll come see DD2's picture wall we did for her.

Allison
Atticmag

A Vintage Vine said...

So creative! Love it when something gets new life!

~Ali~ said...

Pretty much in love with that! I can't stand it! I want one! Good work!

Oh P.S. I found you through Vintage Revivals! ;)

Tami Michel said...

Love it! Very clever. I just featured this post over at Scribbles and Swirls. Please take a look http://tamiscribblesandswirls.blogspot.com/2011/11/large-finial.html
I hope you like it and will follow as well. Thank you for the inspiration!
~Tami