Little Lamp Makeover.

A couple of years ago, J and C found this lamp for me at a "frou-frou" shop (their label for the type of stores I favor):

It wasn't quite as dusty back then and I thought it was really cute, but I had a really hard time finding a place for it within our house.  I was busy trying to convince myself that I wanted our home to be more traditional than country and I was frantically trying to switch our decor to a cooler color palate, rather than the warm reds, yellows, and greens that I've always favored.

But there was a problem.  I kept getting stuck.  Every time I would try to morph my house into a beautiful space like The Nester's or the lovely spaces at Young House Love, I found myself frustrated and uncomfortable.  I lost all decorating confidence and this was evident in the fact that it took me two years to pick out a paint color for our living room.  Not good.

I think that there were really two problems.  First, we don't currently have a lot of money for re-decorating.  I know just the look I would pick for our home if I had an unlimited budget and could start from scratch, but trying to completely change our style while working within my limits was like swimming against the tide.  It wore me out.  The second issue is this:  I feel best when I'm surrounded by warm colors, pattern, and texture.  After months years of trying to figure out which direction to take, everything changed with one question from J.  He just asked "What do you want?" and I immediately thought "warm." 

I want our home to be warm and cozy. 

Which brings me back to my little red lamp.  I have closets full of great things that are just waiting for imaginative (and free or cheap) updates so that they can be re-introduced to our new decor.  So, please join me in welcoming our first updated friend: 

With a few strips of fabric and a hot glue gun, I found a (free) way to freshen up my little friend and I could not be happier.  New paint, new lamp, and new artwork (did you notice my latest love???).  I think I'm on a roll!