Lining Lampshades with Metallic Paper

I love the little extra glimmer that metallic lined lampshades add to a room.

I had a pair of drum shades from Target that I dyed mint green but they still needed a little something. I picked up a couple of sheets of adhesive-backed silver metallic paper at Utrecht Art Supply for $3 or $4 a sheet. I think if I do this project again though, I'll try this contact paper.


The general idea is really easy. Lay your drum shade down on the back of the paper, lining up the bottom of your shade with the bottom of the paper. Put a little piece of tape down to keep the shade and paper together.


Trace the edge of the shade while you roll so you can get the curve of the shade just right. Do the same for the other edge.


Then cut out the template, but cut about 1/4" inside the line so that the liner easily fits inside the lip of your shade.


Then just place it like a big sticker inside the shade, but be sure to start the paper on the seam of your shade if there is one. Smooth out any air bubbles with your hand or a credit card.


It's a ridiculously easy project, but I love the sparkle!!



Have you tried any similar projects? Anyone seen the silver contact paper in person? Is it as bright as my artist paper?


PS I did a round up of REALLY cheap lamps over on Babble. Check it out here. Can you believe this chic little number is only $15???

on

41 comments:

  1. lisaroySeptember 12, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    What a fantastic idea! Yours looks great - I've never seen either paper... I wonder if I can track this down in Dubai...

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  2. FlirtyGemsSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Thats Genius!

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    great idea. Love it!

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  4. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    You've been bookmarked...again!! Can't wait to try this out, I think I'm going to try to locate the contact paper! Your lamp turned out great!!

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  5. Angela NSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Love this! And I have some of the silver metallic paper! Looks like I will be checking out all the lamps around my house to see which one I can use it on. :-)

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  6. Jordan G.September 12, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I just bought this awesome mercury glass lamp this weekend, and I was wishing it had metallic lining inside! I'll have to try to add it myself. Thanks!

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  7. Tracy KSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Ok...I just bought metallic gold paint for the inside shade of my bedroom lamp. Now I'm retinking it! Should I line it instead? Is there a reason you didn't just paint it? It's a PB shade so it's not a throw away if it doesn't work out kinda thing. Thoughts???
    Thank you!

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  8. Jenny at LGNSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Hi Tracy!

    The paper is highly reflective - almost like a mirror. Paint would be a pretty contrast, but it wouldn't be nearly as reflective.

    xx

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  9. JulesSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Good heavenly days - where did those awesome lamps come from??

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  10. JaeSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Thanks for this post. I'd seen a couple of gold lined shades in inspiration pics and now have no excuse not to do it!

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  11. Mrs. WSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Wow, great idea. It turned out great!

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  12. Cassie {Hi Sugarplum}September 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    I just painted the inside of my black drum shades with gold metallic....waiting for it all to dry before reassembling lamp, but so far it's amazing! (if I do say so myself!) :)

    Yours, as always, looks great!

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  13. BrannonSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    This is such a great idea! I never would have thought to do this. Love you choice of the silver metallic. Would also be fun to have a solid lamp shade and then a pattern inside! Bookmarking this!

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  14. kasey @ girl in the gray houseSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    great idea. i love the mint, marble, and shiny together, it looks so good!

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  15. LindaBSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    I love your site! Just recently discovered it and I am totally hooked! I’d love to try this project but I can’t find the silver paper. Even tried the online Utrect Art Supply store. Can you give me an exact name of the product? Thanks.

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  16. DaneeSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    I LOVE the look of the your shade with the metallic paper. I just read about glitter spray paint by Krylon called Glitter Blast (on Vintage Revivals)….hmmmm imagine the possibilities a glittery metallicy slice of decorating heaven

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  17. katSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    It looks fabulous! Great idea! I don't think you would be as pleased with the stainless steel silver contact paper. I used it to line cabinets, and as the name implies, it has more of a stainless steel look (with striations) and isn't as reflective.

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  18. jen fullerSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    that is such a great idea! we love things that sparkle over here!
    Smoking Crayolas Blogspot

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  19. CrystalSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Okay, I'm in love with this idea. At first I thought you were going to cover the outside of the shade with the metallic and I was curious to see how it turned out. Love the lining, great idea!

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  20. Laura IsabelSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Jenny are you going to source the lamps you posted about on babble. Some of them (like the Walmart lamp) indicate where you found them, but most of them aren't sourced!

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  21. boopsSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Thanks for posting this. I have a lamp I wanted to try this on. My one question is: how does the lining handle heat? Does it get hot?

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  22. Jenny at LGNSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Hi LindaB -

    I wish I could remember the exact name of the paper, but there really wasn't one. I just went into the store (I'm sure Blick or Pearl would have it too) and asked for an adhesive-backed metallic paper. The silver paper is very glass-like. I could see my reflection. Sorry, hope that helps! Good luck!

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  23. Jenny at LGNSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Laura Isabel -

    All the links to the individual lamps are in the slideshow. The words THIS are all hyperlinked.

    Thanks!

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  24. Jenny at LGNSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Boops - My liner handles the heat perfectly. No issues there at all with my shade. Can't vouch for smaller shades, but I can't imagine there would be a big problem. Good luck!

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  25. Tracy KSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks Jenny & Cassie@Hi Sugarplum! I love (and am intimidated by both of you) so much! I will try painting 1st. I can always line it if I find I want a little more bling. Working on the launch of my own blog this week! Dollarsandsensedecor.com

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  26. Jean @ Flower HillSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Love this! I'm going to have to try it!

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  27. JerithSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Great tutorial -- I'm interested to hear how the paper turns out after a few months of regular use with the lamps...ie bubbling from heat, glue letting go from heat, etc. Keep us updated please :)

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  28. Jenny at LGNSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Jerith, you're in luck! I actually did this project more than two months ago. The paper is holding up beautifully. No bubbling or heat marks! Two thumbs up.
    j

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  29. Sweetwater StyleSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    I love the glow from the metallic...have to try this....actually have some contac paper that will work. Thanks for the great tutorial as usual...you nailed it!

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  30. KikiSeptember 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    very clever!
    looks gorgeous x

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  31. UnknownSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Fabulous! I bet the metallic lining gives off the BEST light. Thanks for the amazing DIY!! Chic Rooms

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  32. rental mobilSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    Very nice, thanks for sharing.

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  33. Donna BenedettoSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Totally ingenious, that is a lot of bang for the buck! Love it!

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  34. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    The paper looks really great with the marble bases... and all my questions were answered in the comments too! I think gold paper would look amazing on that $40 owl lamp from Target that you featured on Babble. That would be sweet! Thanks for sharing. :-)

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  35. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    How does this compare to silver/gold leaf in terms of look?

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  36. bearSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    I used the silver contact paper as decorative cut outs for my walls, its not as shiny as the paper you used. It looks more like the stainless steel appliances.

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  37. JenSeptember 14, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    I love this idea!

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  38. Navy BeanSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    What a fabulous idea! I love the subtle sparkle that it adds. I will definitely have to try this!

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  39. BridgetSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    I love this idea - it's genius!x

    http//i-should-coco.blogspot.com

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  40. [elaine]September 15, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Perfect balance of calm, regal, and fun! What did you use to dye the lampshade? Also, did you dip it or brush it? The green you chose is gorgeous!

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  41. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutOctober 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Ok...You clearly are gifted...cause I ordered the paper and DID NOT find it easy...kept sticking to itself...the wrong place...full of bubbles.

    I bow to you...do you think you used that same paper? Mine was on a plastic shade back (on a GREAT Anthropologie peacock shade) The plus is that it makes the shade look 100% better from the outside...but the inside ain't to pretty :(

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