Dinners at fancy restaurants…they’re both a blessing and a curse. The idea both excites me and causes me to become obsessive about what I’m going to wear, fitting in, and standing out at the same time. Is that even possible? To fit in and stand out at the same time? Maybe I’m setting impossible goals for myself…something I’ll have to reflect on later.
Several years ago my brother-in-law and sister-in-law treated the whole family to a fancy shmancy dinner at a restaurant called Tapawingo in Michigan. Hayden was then three years old which increased my level of anxiety infinitely. The restaurant had a plate minimum of $50 for each person…even three year olds. Seriously? Really, that’s just a veiled discriminatory practice against toddlers, but I digress.
So we ordered him a full meal at $55 figuring at least we would get some food for the money. The first course was listed on the menu, Deconstructed Potato Salad. My mind immediately raced, “What could this brilliant chef have done to potato salad that would be revolutionary”? I couldn’t wait to see. Potato salad is one of my all-time favorites. I sat back and waited to be amazed. I waited with such anticipation and when it came out it was…
the ingredients of potato salad lined up in piles along a long skinny white plate. Deconstructed. Ummm…Kay.
We were amazed, although maybe for different reasons. Other more sophisticated people might have thought this a culinary masterpiece. Me? I thought it was a cruel joke…buy an expensive dinner and make your own potato salad?
Besides, doesn’t deconstructing something mean it was once constructed? Not to get all semantical….
On my way home from work the other night I was thinking about potato salad, as I am wont to do on occasion, which naturally led me to deconstructed potato salad, and then led me to deconstructing my lampshades. Did you make that jump? Oh good. I knew you guys were awesome!
I started with this totally outdated lamp and shade and proceeded to deconstruct it with a handy dandy scissors at the kitchen table. Hubby came home from work and never even asked me what I’m doing. I have him trained so well.
Underneath was a sweet little wire shade that I knew was just itching to realize its full potential. It just needed a little help. I wrapped it with jute roping I bought at Wal-Mart for less than $3.00 and sprayed the whole lamp (harp and all) with my fav oil-rubbed bronze spray paint.
I used some sandpaper to slightly reveal some of the gold underneath and to give it back some of its character. I’m just not into perfect these days. Character is so much more attractive don’t you think? The addition of Edison bulbs brings the whole thing together. Before I knew it, I had a jute rope wrapped lampshade to die for.
Then I made dinner. Deconstructed tacos. I guess if I ever needed another career I could be a fancy 5 star chef with these mad taco skills.
By pinning my projects you help other people find this little blog and I thank you so much! You guys rock!
I’m sharing this at some awesome link up parties. You should check them out for great inspiration.
MONDAYS
*Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 8AM or 8:30AM
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 3PM
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal 4 or 5PM
TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss 10 or 11AM
* Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 6pm
* Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures evenings at 7 PM
* Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living evenings at 7PM
* Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design at 10PM
What’s It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants
WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches 9AM
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 2PM or 3PM
* Share Your Style @ The Vintage Nest + 7MORE BLOGS!!!!! 6PM CST
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours 6PM CST
THURSDAYS
DIY Like A Boss @ The Heathered Nest
*The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors 8AM
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva 9AM
* Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique 1:00PM
*Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage 3PM
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme 6PM
Friday’s Furniture Fix @ The Chelsea Project 9PM
AKA Design-Weekend Retreat party 7 pm
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional 6pm
*Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 6PM
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design 6pm
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer 9PM
FRIDAYS
SATURDAYS
SUNDAYS
* Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies 6 or 7 AM
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home + 6 more blogs! 1 PM
**Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings 5PM
I recently had deconstructed pecan pie at a frou frou restaurant here in NOLA. I thought it was the weirdest thing. Just give me a regular slice of pecan pie, please!
Great work on your lamps. I love Edison bulbs.
I love Pecan Pie! I don’t think I would want it deconstructed though. How would they keep it all gooey? Thanks for commenting Ron! Have an awesome weekend!
Nancy
Nancy – I love the “deconstructed” idea. Maybe we’ll have something deconstructed tonight for dinner !
Your shades are great and the Edison bulb makes it work. It looks like you’ve knotted the wrapping. Can you expand on how you did that?
Thanks and congrats on a great result.
Thanks so much Kathy! Sometimes I’m a bad blogger and I get going in a project and don’t document the process. All I did was take the shades down to the bare wire then used regular jute roping from Wal-Mart. I would use the hot glue gun to drop a bead of glue at the start of a wired part and try not to burn my fingers I as held the jute roping against it for just a few seconds then started wrapping. I tried to wrap over the spot I glued with my first wrap to hide it a little better. I used several pieces of jute roping because trying to pull the roping through when it was too long just made a tangled mess. I hope that helps! Have a super weekend!
Lovely lamps!! I love deconstructed items tucked into my decor. In fact, I did a jute rope lampsahpe last fall except I used tobacco cloth for a woven look. But still, my friend, you know what they say about great minds…..lol…..Yep. We are thinking alike……again. Pinning to my DIY Lamp board. Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thanks Susie! I always knew you were brilliant! Your lamp shad project is so cool! I love it.
Nancy
Thanks for the laugh this morning. I love the lamps.
You are so welcome Debi! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.
Nancy
I love this deconstructed lamp shade and your deconstructed tacos!….Great “constructed” vignette Nancy!….Love
that Southern Living tray too!!
LOL I love your blog! I know exactly how you feel about the 5 star restaurants and I loved the lamps.
Your last two posts been equal parts pretty AND funny! Loving your blog so much lately.
I am a huge fan of distressing even if a piece is as flat as a board. My kids hate it and ask why I like to make everything old. haha Your lamps turned out beautiful and are perfect to display in front of the framed wood boards…which I am totally crushing on!
I love this deconstructed lamp, Maybe I with my family have something deconstructed tonight for dinner ! Congrats you on a great result and thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to reading new post.
haha. I agree with other comments. The lamp looks not bad. It’s always interesting to read your post. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I love this deconstructed lamp shade and your deconstructed tacos, Maybe I have something deconstructed tonight for dinner. Congrats you on a great result
Your deconstructed lamp shade is so great, it is definitely suitable for a warm dinner lol. I really love decor, DIY and I think I will try to make it soon, hope good as you did. Thanks for sharing!
Great idea! Saving to my Lamp Makeovers board 🙂 And I also wanted to mention that the Wednesday “To Grandma’s House We Go” link party just started over at grandmashousediy.com and I thought you might be interested in joining it, thanks!
I love the decoration in your pictures. They looks so great, very elegant, especially the lamps and the wreath. Thank you for sharing.
Your deconstructed lamp looks good, so does the tacos. I won’t be surprised if you really become five star chef 🙂 I have a good feeling for that plate and I bet it does taste good.
I love the way you deconstructed your lamp, so unique. Just coming across it and I want to try on make one on my own too.
Thank you. 🙂
What a lovely story, makes me laugh tonight. Your deconstructed lamp looks really cool, i wish i had one in my house. Actually, i cant imagine its size haha.
The deconstructed lampshade is beautiful. As well as your story. Glad to hear that you’re doing well. Have a wonderful week, Nancy!