Do you have any polished brass in your home that could use a little patina? I’ve got an simple brass lamp makeover for ya today! Here’s how our brass lamps got a makeover and went from shiny to antiqued in an afternoon.
I’m all about brass finishes. I’m not the biggest fan of polished brass, although I do have some of it in my home. I’ve always been more drawn to a living finish, which gets a beautiful patina over time. I didn’t find any branding or marks on the lamps that would tell me who they were made by, but I could tell they were very good quality and worth the spruce up.
Rub n Buff is a product that I’ve used in the past and have always had great luck with. You can purchase it at most craft stores for around $6-$7. It can be used on metals, wood and plastics. All you need is a cotton cloth, a couple of q-tips and a finger that you don’t mind getting a little messy.
A very small amount goes a long way! These tiny tubes will last you project at project. I started at the base of the lamps and worked my way up, taking a small pea-sized amount at a time and rubbing onto the lamp in a circular pattern.
It dries pretty quickly, so don’t work too slowly. The q-tips work great for all of those small spaces and details where the cloth or your finger don’t quite fit.
Once I rubbed and buffed both lamps, I let them dry overnight to cure.
They turned out just as I had hoped! They’re much softer now and have the nice patina I was going for.
They fit into our space nicely and add that classic style that we love so much. I left their original shades. Both shades are extremely clean and in great condition. I may swap them out for shades with custom fabric in the future, but these will do just fine for now.
This week I brought in this season’s first blooms from our lime light hydrangeas. I always feel so sad to cut them, which is silly, I know. I do love fresh blooms in our home and these are sitting pretty on my bedside table. I could really get used to fresh flowers every morning!
Are you a fan of brass too? It seems that most people either love it or hate it. I can’t help but to love it! In my opinion, it will always be timeless.
Next week I hope to share all the details on our upholstered headboard. It’s originally from Pottery Barn but I found it quite some time ago on the Facebook yard sale page for free! It took me months to decide on a fabric to cover it with. I finally finished it up in May and I can’t wait to share the whole project with you. It was beyond simple and took only an hour or two to complete. Stay tuned for the details!
I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! We’re headed to downtown Dahlonega this weekend for a little birthday getaway. I’ll be 32 on Monday and when Josh asked what I would like to do, I thought mountains, delicious foods, old homes and antique stores. It should be the perfect weekend. Happy Friday, friends!
Sources
Wall Color – Dove White by Benjamin Moore
English Pine Chest – Soul Sisters Antique Store, Dawsonville, GA
Brass Lamp – Facebook Yard Sale Find
Brass Dog Figurine – Soul Sisters Antique Store, Dawsonville, GA
Nora Murphy Country House Book
Inspirational Interiors – Classic English Interiors Book
China Bowl – Antique Find
Vintage Baskets – Cotton Mill Exchange Antique Store, Canton, GA
Iron Stone Pitcher – Antique Find
White Quilt – Ikea
Headboard Fabric in Color – Spa
Blue & White Check Throw Pillows
Hi, the lamp looks great. I haven’t had the best luck with Rub n Buff but I guess I should keep trying! 😀 can I ask you where you got the fabric that is on your dinning table? I just saw Miss Mustard Seed with it on a pillow and I think I “need” it. Thank you for sharing your home!
Marixa, I’ve used it on metals that are not handled very much and on wooden picture frames with success. I haven’t used it on items that get a lot of Handling and wear and tear. You can find the pillow cover at JSHhomeessentials.com I don’t believe the table runner is still available. Jenny has some adorable linen options!
Did you do anything after rubbing it on? The name Rub & Buff implies a next step? They look beautiful!!
There’s no buffing required, ironically. A few of years ago when I started using it I watched this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEuU_hZNMqE She uses the gold leaf Rub n Buff to restore weathered brass to a nicer finish. I wanted a bit of the opposite effect for the lamps, so I used the antique brass Rub n Buff. The video is quick but helpful to see how easy it is to apply.
You did an AMAZING job making that a bit generic lamp look incredible!!!!! What a gorgeous lamp love the finial too – and I think the white shade is perfect. Why change it? I’m with you. It’s clean, fresh and goes with everything.
Your bedroom is truly gorgeous. LOVE that wooden chest of drawers at your bedside!!
Your room makeover is lovely. The lamps are just the right size too. You have Nora Murphy’s book, which I love!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!🎈🎊🎉
Your lamp looks like some Baldwin Brass lamps I bought close to forty years ago, except for the finial. It is/was an excellent company. Your wiring may need redoing by now. Is your cord a goldfish color. There is a man in an antique mall near the Marietta Square who refurbishes old lamps. Only one of my three ever needed redoing. I still love them after all these years.
Goldfish, not goldfish!