Splash ‘n Dash

Here's another small change with big impact from my story in the Easy Decorating issue of Woman's Day. 

ER_WDEasyDecorating

Take a store-bought sconce (ours is from Lowe's), prime it with spray primer, then spray it white. 

ER_RoyceFixture

Now pick up a box of Rit Dye, roll up your sleeves and dip them shades in magic. Here's 60s supermodel Susan Blakely, sporting her splash 'n dash dress, a midriffed reminder of Rit's colorful history.  

ER_Rit

Finally, measure the top and bottom edges of each shade, add an inch, measure and cut grosgrain ribbon, then glue.  

ER_FixtureAfter3

How splashy is that?

ER_FixtureAfter2

Gotta dash…

 

47 Comments

  2. traci zeller designs on June 6, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    That is amazing! The sconce looks gorgeous … and so much more expensive than the original. Another incredible transformation by E+J!

    Reply
  3. Karena on June 6, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Love these very fresh, light and fun! Wonderful transformation!

    Be sure to spread the word to come & enter my awesome $250 Giveaway from Tracy Porter!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply
  5. pve on June 7, 2011 at 5:21 am

    There is something fresh about white for summer – just lights up a room.

    Reply
  6. susan on June 7, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Eddie i love this! i love the edition of the ribbon, super idea! xo Susan

    Reply
  7. Melissa on June 7, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Love it! Saw very similar lights at my Habitat the other day– will purchase, spray and splash and hang them in my hallway, which I painted in navy/white diamonds. Hope ya’ll are having a good summer– and there is a minute to slow down and breathe!

    Reply
  10. SilverMagpies on June 7, 2011 at 10:15 am

    Wonderful! I must have been catching your wavelength last night as I was wondering if something similar was possible. I guess it is!!

    Reply
  12. PJ @ Home and Gardeen Decor on June 7, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    It really is amazing with what little effort you can achieve a big change.
    I really love the wall sconce after this makeover.
    Great idea!
    Best Regards
    Paula Jo

    Reply
  15. Lauren Liess on June 7, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    love it!! hope you get some time to relax soon!!
    xoxo,
    lauren

    Reply
  16. savvycityfarmer on June 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    you hiring?

    I’ve got styling ideas coming out of my ears!

    Reply
  17. eclectic revisited on June 7, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    wonderful idea..I have older style curtain rods and finials that I may just have to spray paint to give them a new look..will be keeping my eye out for lamps and sconces at thrift stores so I can have something to go with the newly painted curtain rods….

    maureen

    Reply
  18. Donna Atkinson on June 7, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Ooo, I love it! Gotta get a copy of this issue!!

    Reply
  19. pretty pink tulips on June 7, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Oh…that was GOOD! A dash of chic with a big dose of gorgeousness. You’re so smart!!!

    xoxo elizabeth

    Reply
  21. kathysue on June 7, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    Eddie it seems to be a lampshade week for us!!! Love these sconces on the great cobalt and white paper, Kathysue

    Reply
  24. Modern Country Lady on June 8, 2011 at 6:36 am

    O my Goodness!! I die of deliciousness!! Mmmmmm wonderfull.You are the best!!

    Reply
  25. carey on June 8, 2011 at 8:22 am

    Hi Eddie! Just wanted to say thanks for using York Wallcoverings as a backdrop for your shade transformation. It’s always fun to seen something I’ve worked on in print. They look great together. Keep up the great work! You don’t need to post this just didn’t have another way of sending you and your team a message. Feel free to contact me if you have more paper needs in the future.
    best, carey

    Reply
  26. Patti Davis on June 8, 2011 at 8:32 am

    So fresh and pretty. I love it! xoxo, P

    Reply
  27. Mr. Goodwill Hunting on June 8, 2011 at 8:46 am

    This is quite helpful guys!
    I have a pair of sconces right now I need to tackle!

    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    Reply
  28. Franki Parde on June 8, 2011 at 10:22 am

    You “light up” my life! Luv this! franki

    Reply
  29. peggy braswell on June 8, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Hi Eddie..thanks for your kind comment+stopping by my blog. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  30. stitchfork on June 8, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Makes you look at it in a whole new light! Very dashing!
    xo Cathy

    Reply
  31. Visual Vamp on June 8, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I love this issue!!! It’s really good.
    xo xo

    Reply
  32. Loretta Fontaine (APPLESandRUBIES) on June 8, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    E+J- Love the wallpaper, but the shades went white to ivory? Am I missing something? With all those fabulous RIT colors out there?

    Loretta

    Reply
  33. Sandra Jonas on June 8, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    Another great idea! I love the ribbon edging and how clever to dye the shades!!!! OMG I think you have turned me on to something I might regret…all day I have been mentally dyeing everything in sight..the cats are avoiding me!!!!

    Reply
  34. jerseygirl on June 8, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Eddie, love the light and the wallpaper! Will you share the source for the paper?

    Reply
  35. allumer * decor on June 9, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    great fix for a inexpensive fixture with a good shape – And i love the navy trim… splashy indeed… *

    Reply
  36. Randy @ AJ Barnes on June 9, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    OK..boys. It’s splashy. I need/want to replace my dining chandelier. Maybe I’ll try this first. White w/it’s existing crystals could be fun.

    Reply
  37. Acquired Objects on June 11, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I need to pick up this issue today and wrote it down on my shopping list. You always amaze me with your fearlessness to do pieces over, wonderful!

    Reply
  38. masterb ringtones on June 11, 2011 at 9:22 am

    these are very cool decorations, makes you see things differently

    Reply
  40. Kim@Chattafabulous on June 13, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Super easy project for lots of impact! My two top requirements!

    Reply
  41. sandy@oohlafroufrou on June 13, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    And when you splash, you make big waves, Eddie boy. Fabulous once more!!

    Reply
  44. Jennifer on June 16, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Eddie, I just scored a sconce just like that for $9 and sprayed it oil rubbed bronze to match the fixtures in my guest bath… I’m going to add some ribbon now to make it extra special! Thanks for the great tips. 🙂

    Reply
  45. splendid Market on June 20, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    The ribbon is a great idea, but spray painting the basic sconce white is such an improvement!!

    Reply
  46. Anna Spiro on September 14, 2011 at 8:14 am

    Wow – love the navy and white wallpaper! Thank you also for your lovely comments you have left on my blog lately!

    Kind regards,
    Anna Spiro

    Reply
  47. peter on February 24, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Like the blog, appreciate the share!

    Reply

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