A fun and easy project for entertaining this spring and summer! I found this lampshade at the thrift store for a few dollars. If you’re looking to use a tiered platter, I would suggest looking for a lamp shade that is on the taller side. Make sure to do some measurements before you go thrifting to find a lamp shade. While this lamp shade was still in ok condition, I wanted to give it another life. Making it more useful for me in my lifestyle. Some may be appalled that I took a perfectly fine lamp and make it into something else. I look at it as the opposite. Someone donated this lamp shade, which means they no longer had a use for it. I’m rethinking what an item can be by upcycling. By ucpcycling items that means you are keeping objects out of the landfill! If you read until the end you’ll see I did reuse the fabric around the shade. Nothing goes to waste here.
What you’ll need:
Lampshade
Tulle fabric
Scissors
Drawer pull (with screw)
Washer
Glue
Ribbon for trim (optional)
Step 1: Start by taking off all the fabric around the lamp to reveal just the wire frame underneath. If you are planning to reuse the fabric you can carefully use a seam ripper to make a clean cut in one piece.
Step 2: Clean the frame next. There may be some glue or rust left over and we won’t want that near any food. I used some hot soapy water and brush. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of this step.
Step 3: Drape your tulle fabric over the top of the wire frame. Making sure the sides reach the bottom of the frame. I like to secure the top using some clothes pin. This ensures it won’t move around once you have it in place.
Step 4: Using your glue. (I used hot glue for this step.) Place a small bead of glue on the bottom on the frame. Then attach your tulle to that glue. Making sure you pull the fabric taut. Do this around the entire bottom on the frame. Then remove the clothes pins holding the tulle on top.
Step 5: Cut any remaining tulle fabric that isn’t glued to the frame.
Step 6: While this step is optional, it does give the project a finished looked. It also is great at hiding any visible glue spots. Using a wide rimmed ribbon, glue and fold it over the bottom edge of the wire.
Step 7: Add the top pull. Flip your shade upside down and place the spacer in the top hole of the lampshade. Then add the screw. While keeping your finger on the spacer and screw and flip the lampshade over. Now attach the pull on the top. Poking the screw through the tulle and into the pull to secure. The pull allows others to easily open the lamp shade screen to access the food.
That’s it! Now place your new shade over a platter of food. Watch as the bugs won’t be able to get to it! And enjoy your meal outside.
If you ended up saving the fabric from the shade you could also upcycle that if you wish. I ended up making some little placemats after I washed the fabric. I thought it was funny to make them into the shape of a lampshade. I think it gave homage to this entire upcycle. It also reminds me of my all time favorite Christmas movie “A Christmas Story”.
Hope you enjoyed this fun upcycle. Let me know if you try it for your next outdoor party! Be sure to also check out this post on others ways to reuse this lampshade upcycle.
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