How to Paint a Lampshade.

This post shouldn't really be about "how to paint a lampshade."  The painting techniques are the same as if you were painting a chair or a wall.  This post is more about how to get the COURAGE to paint a lampshade because it's so weird to just slap a coat of paint onto a lampshade.

I bought a ten dollar shade at Wal-Mart for a lamp I found at the Goodwill.  The shade needed to be on the smaller side and it needed to be able to attach to the lamp without using a lamp harp.  I found a shade that met both of those needs but unfortunately it was a beige-ish grey.  I really wanted white but apparently it didn't come in that color so I bought it anyway and hoped it worked.  It didn't.  The color was just wrong for the space (our new office).  Here's a shot:

I thought about returning it but I was suddenly struck with the idea that maybe, just maybe, I could paint it. 

The texture of the shade was really rough so I wasn't so sure how it would turn out.  I covered it in two light coats of primer.  I really wanted the texture to come through so I didn't glom on the paint.  Here it is mid-way the first coat:

After I let the shade dry for awhile (it was actually 6 days because I went back to work), I coated it with Behr Ultra Pure White (just the semi-gloss kind that comes straight of the shelf).

And here it is:

Because I used light coats, you can still see the texture.  I think it looks great!

My advice when painting a lampshade?  Use a good primer, paint lightly, and don't be scared!  It'll turn out great!

Lindsay.