Before & After - A Lamp in the Making

Here's another treasure from that beach house we did in the Hamptons. Last year, while out and about in Sag Harbor, I came across this beautiful, old apothecary jar at Sage Street Antiques. It's handblown glass, probably from the late 1800s, and even though it was completely broken at the top, I really didn't mind. The footing was so elegant and the size very unusual. Plus with a price tag of $24, I couldn't resist! Now in its first life, back in the city, we used it as a vase with big palm ferns in the living room. All along, though, I had a hunch that, in the right hands, this old jar could be transformed into a fantastic new lamp.  

Enter our dear friend and fellow blogger Susan Schneider, owner of Shandell’s, a vintage lighting studio right here in Millerton. 

Susan makes custom lamps and lampshades using vintage papers, prints, maps, and just about anything else her customers bring her. She even offers matchboxes and tissue box holders on her Etsy store that make perfect hostess gifts, especially around the holidays.

Check out her incredible collection of vintage and new lamp finials, along with just about every kind of trim you could want!

Susan's a true craftsperson, making all of the shades by hand, according to the dimensions of the lamp. She then finishes them off with a coordinating trim for a more polished look. Below, clockwise from top left: marble and parchment paper; nineteenth century topography map; vintage print; and seagrass. Lampshades, especially for a chandelier or small table lamp, don't require a lot of material, so a little goes a long way. It's details like this that add such unique character to a room.  

In my experience, as long as you keep your mind open and your eyes peeled, you’ll come across plenty of unique objects that can be transformed into great lamps. Why not make a one-of-a-kind statement with, say, an architectural remnant or a piece of driftwood?  Or for something daintier, try a vase, candlesticks, or even a teapot. At Shandell's, Susan uses unusual vintage wallpaper rollers, often painting them to make a pair or coordinate with an interior. 

Which brings me back to the apothecary jar. Drilling a hole would not be an option—the glass is simply too old for that—so to avoid seeing the cord through the lamp, we decided to use paint in a beautiful creamy white on the interior. To start, Susan first poured latex paint into the jar, swirling it around carefully for good coverage. After letting it dry completely, she then fitted a custom-made “collar” piece onto the jagged neck to accommodate the wiring and harp. 

Finally, for a fresh, more modern look, I decided on a drum shade covered in seagrass. We then added trim in ecru and khaki for the finishing touch. And speaking of drum shades, the drum roll, please…

Don’t you just love the way it turned out? This vignette I styled just off the living room in our friends' beach house, where Jaithan and I like to go for a little R&R. Quality details like the vintage crystal finial and cloth-covered cord are like jewelry for a lamp. Plus they lend historical heft—something you just can’t get from mass production.

A huge thank you to Susan not only for her artistry but for her friendship as well. Moving to the country, then starting a business, hasn't exactly been easy for Jaithan and me, but it's friends like Susan who've helped us every step of the way. She's a dear, dear friend whose talents deserve to be known. 

Comments

[Juice]

I love the idea of painting the inside - so smart! Beautiful project.

[Mitzi Curi]

I absolutely love this post! Your style is impeccable, and Susan's shop is overflowing with eye candy. I've never seen a wallpaper roller before, now I'm going to have to track one down.....

[linda@LimeintheCoconut]

Oh man...That is so beautifully and elegantly gorgeous! LOVE it. What a talent she is!

[seleta]

Gorgeous end result [of course]. Love all of those creams and textures in the picture of the new lamp's home on the chest at your friend's beach pad.

How fun to have such a talented friend like Susan to share in making a lighting masterpiece with such character.

P.S. Glad you still like the petite silver lamp.

xoxo
Seleta

[Myriam Façonne]

Jolies photos !
Voici mon site:
www.myriamfaconne.fr

[Live In Full Color]

Wow that really turned out beautiful! I never would never have thought to coat the interior with paint. What a clever idea!

[Rhonda Irizarry]

This is so inspiring I really love it!! Yup talented folks like Susan should be known.. Thank you Eddie for sharing the process.

[In the Tweeds]

Eddie & Jaithan - the jar turned lamp is awesome!!!! Brilliant! Susan is truly talented!

xoxo Leila

[Jennifer]

just beautiful! and the lamp bases made from wallpaper rolls? genius!

[Jacquelyn]

Lovely lamp. Susan is a true talent.

[Sarah]

Beautiful work. You really have the most creative spirit! Loved seeing you on PVE's site today. Congrats on the Rooms with a View event. Look forward to hearing more about it!

[sarah { abeachcottage }]

p.s.

was it really $24?

[sarah { abeachcottage }]

wow, not only a stunning result but more great inspiration

to be honest I get tired of so called 'designers' showing us what we can do for oh a coupla hundred 'budget' bucks or two, this however speaks to me and all that I do - scour and source for old special things, add my touch to it, usually by painting it white...and normally from a thrifted, junked or garage sale source

nice post ;-)

Sarah

[julie]

love it! it turned out beautiful!

[Joni Webb]

I love the lamp, but her lampshades really are fabulous!!!! I wish I wasn't all thumbs. I need an Eddie!!!

[carlee @ deliciously organized]

Oh wow! It is so gorgeous! ANd I LOVE the styling of the vignette!

[Cindy]

How beautiful, and so wonderful that you saved it and allowed it to have a new Life, many would have thrown it in the trash (or the recycle bin...) and I loved learning more about the Lamp Arts!

[Queen Vee]

Wow, truly fabulous!

[Pink Wallpaper]

that looks awesome...and great tip about adding the latex paint to the glass- wouldn't have thought of that!

[abby jenkins]

Hey! I was with you when you bought that gorgeous glass creation. Who knew it could look even better than it did that perfect work day in Sag Harbor?! I will certainly bring some lamps that need loving up your way and perhaps we can stop by Susan's and drop them off. MISS YOU!

[Bette]

Great things just happen along the road of creativity!
Where dreams come true too!

Bette

[Ms. Bright]

It's like a perfect beautiful egg. Learning to make lampshades is on my list of things to master!

[Jamie]

When I read "...we decided to use paint.." i thought, Oh No, not on that beautiful glass!! But that quickly changed to "Oh MY"!!!! I guess that is proof you shouldn't doubt talent!!! This turned out to be absolutely gorgeous!

[Barbara]

When I first moved to Newburyport, MA from Boston, Susan's store was my saving grace. I still miss her unique sensibilities and wonderful store. Great post and great to see Susan has an Etsy store! Thank you. Barbara

[Mrs. Blandings]

Fabulous! The lamp, you guys and Susan.

[Loren]

Just a suggestion, maybe some piping vertically down the lamp and the cord could have been hidden underneath? Thats how I managed to hide a cord. I put the piping in the North, South, East and West locations on the jar and then in the back, Northside I glued the cord over the fabic piping and then laid another strip of the piping over the cord. You cannot see the cord and the piping is in keeping with the room! I love the fact that Susan is in Millerton, I have a ton of old shades that need to be redone! Thanks for the tip! Warming the car now to drive out to see her shop! Thanks for the tip

[deb schrodt]

Wow i love the lamp. It's so hard when you find a pretty lamp to match a shade. Susan has a great eye. Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration.

[Kimberly]

Oh wow! I want to go play with her sometime!! I have some old Ethan Allen lamps from the early 60's and would love for her to help them with lampshades. Gosh, I wonder how much shipping would be? LOL See, I am already dreaming of her expertise!

[Rebecca]

Unbelievable, the lamp is absolutely beautiful. You have such an insight for so many possibilities with even the most unusual objects. This jar was so beautiful and due to the broken neck who would have thought? What a transformation!!!!! You did it again Eddie. Enjoy the beach house!!!!!!

[pve]

Susan is marvelous. I just picked up some lamps for her today and sending them to her to work her magic! Now, all I think of when I see a great lamp or the possibility of one, I think of her and her ability to "light up" the room.
pve

[Molly]

WOW!!!!!!! Your friend, Susan, has INCREDIBLE talent! The lamp is amazing!

[Chelsea]

Absolutely gorgeous. Striking simple in appearance, but so eye catching. I am also keeping my eyes peeled for an opportunity to use latex paint in this manner -- I always love the finished product, whether in a simple vase or this lamp..!

[yansy]

Bravo! It turned out amazing. You're such an inspiration.

[eileen]

love the lamp,eddie...

[katiedid]

What a great lamp!!!! But then I would have liked it WITH the cord showing coming from the top of the lamp too. What a great idea to put the paint inside. Thanks for the intro to Susan as well!

[Laura Casey Interiors]

It is so gorgeous! What a treasure turned into such a fabulous lamp. Thanks for letting us know about her and her Etsy shop!

[Kandace]

oooh like the vignette too -

[Kandace]

Iye Yie Yie Gorgeous!!!
Any chance you are selling this one on Etsy? or marketing it to Circa lighting -
it really is that beautiful! nice size too!!!

[Victoria Zlotkowski]

Eddie, not only did I get to know Susan of Shandell's through friend and fellow blogger Patricia van Essche, but I got to see her amazing shop, her detailed work and many beautiful lamps and lamps-to-be.
I have already one happy client with a pair of her lamps to proof it.I admire her craftsmanship and I hope to have many opportunities to work with her.
And I met you through her....up in Millerton....the circle of friends widens....: )

This lamp is gorgeous! Love the hight, the milky glow and that shade, it's a treasure to behold!
See you tomorrow!!!!

XX
Victoria

[c'estsuzanne]

Such wonderful things at Shandell's. Must come up in person asap! Thanks for a great post Eddie and Jaithan.

[Mimi Kriele]

Wow, that was gorgeous - and what a fabulous website Susan has, thank you for sharing that, it's just wonderful.

[The Broke Socialite]

What can I say? Absolutely glorious. You never cease to amaze me.

[Content in a Cottage]

Simply beautiful!

[kathysue]

Love, love the lamp, what a clever idea to use paint on the inside,now that is ingenuity and great design.I only wish I had a shop like Susan's on the west coast, what a great find for you , Eddiie.I am a lamp addict, My husband says I have never met a lamp I did not like. He tries to bribe guest to take a lamp home. Great post, Hugs kathysue

[Jennifer Clark]

Just beautiful! Love that the paint was on the interior so that the "feel" of glass was still there along with the footing :-)

Thanks for sharing!

[LindsB]

Such a beautiful lamp!! I love how something broken and overlooked turned into something stunning!

[La Maison Fou blog]

I think that the lamp turned out wonderfully, sure to light up your lives!!
Great shape & colors too.
Leslie

[Shandell's]

Eddie,
I am honored, you brought tears to my eyes as I read this post. You and Jaithain are so special. So glad to have you as my friends and neighbors.

XOXOXO
Susan

[Rhoda @ Southern HospitalityrR]

Eddie, that is gorgeous! I'm a sucker for a pretty lamp and that one turned out stunning.

[pigtown*design]

Great job to Eddie & Jaithan for seeing what the jar could be and to Susan for accomplishing it!

[sheista]

That looks fantastic!

[Shelley Noble]

A stunning result. Kudos for the vision and hat tip to Susan's skill!

[Kerry Howard]

I love that lamp Eddie. I will keep her in mind for up coming projects.

Big Hug....

[Pat's Addition]

Love the lamp..the interior paint is great idea. What a stock pile of findings Susan has in her shop.