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8.07.2011

TONE IT DOWN

I feel like I say that a hundred times a day to my children.  They are quite loud.  If you know them, you can attest to this.  If not, trust me, they can sometimes be heard blocks away!

But today, I'm talking about a beautiful Asian inspired brass lamp I bought at the thrift store over the weekend.  It has been sitting there for months, just patiently waiting for someone to come by and take it home.  I have been eyeing it for a while, but it was $10 and do I really need another lamp? No!
Fortunately for the patient lamp, I was at a friend's house last week and she commented on a lamp she has that she is not too fond of.  I immediately thought of the Asian lamp and how great it would look in her living room.

A popped into the thrift store on Saturday, and of course, it was still sitting there.  I took it up front and kindly explained to the cashier that the poor lamp had been sitting around for months, just collecting dust, and I would be more than happy to take it off her hands for $5.00.  She is the same sweet cashier who sold me the $75 deal of a lifetime piano.  I think I may get her a Christmas present this year!

Anyway, back to "Tone It Down".  The lamp is vintage and has a beautiful shape, but I'm not a huge fan of super shiny brass.  I'm much more of a tarnished brass kind of girl.

I love the worn look of this brass bowl I bought back in March at an antique store.  


The lamp looked like this when I bought it on Saturday. 
I wanted it to look more like the bowl. 


Pretty shiny, right?


While I was out and about on Saturday, I stopped by Hobby Lobby and picked up a tube of 
Rub 'n Buff in antique gold.  This stuff is amazing.  
I first learned about it from Janell at Isabella and Max Rooms.  
She uses that stuff on all kinds of things.  Most recently she used it on a light fixture for her powder room.  She gave an inexpensive light fixture a high end look. 

Just last week, Carmel from Our Fifth House, used it on her kitchen cabinet hardware.  
I think she's still on the fence about going gold, but I loved the look of it.  
The tube is tiny and I thought I would need several for this giant lamp.  
Boy was I wrong. I only used a tiny bit to cover the whole lamp.  
I simply rubbed it on with my finger and then buffed it lightly when it was dry. 


I stuck in in my living room and topped it off with a shade I had.  
I really love the way it turned out and if my friend decides she doesn't want it, 
I suppose I could make room for one more lamp. 


One more time, the super shiny lamp..... 


And now the "Toned Down" version....


What do you think?  Are you on the shiny brass or a the tarnished brass team? 

21 comments:

  1. Simply gorgeous! Yet another example of the powers of Rub 'n Buff! Thanks for the shout out today on your blog Andrea...Janell

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  2. It looks so much better. I have never heard of that rub and buff stuff. I'm definitely going to have to check it out!

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  3. This looks amazing! I've never used rub 'n buff, but I think I might need to. I have two old lamps that are awaiting a face lift. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  4. Definitely on the tarnished team. That lamp looks awesome now! I've got to come up with a reason to use the rub 'n buff stuff :D

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  5. Reallly like the toned-down, buffed look.. great transformation overall!

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  6. Andrea, it looks great. I love that Run N Buff, too. That tiny tube will last forever.

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  7. I really love the toned down version, looks great.

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  8. That is so neat. I like the toned down version a lot, and I could have used this product for several projects. I'm glad to know about it now! I frequently tell my son to "tone it down" too! :)

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  9. I like the toned down version too, to bad we don't have a Hobby Lobby near!
    I've just became your newest follower!

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  10. It is gorgeous. I wish I had known about that when I got rid of all the shiney brass in my house! I do have one ceiling fan left with shiney brass hardware...I will try that soon!

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  11. It looks beautiful! I can't wait to try Rub n' Buff. It looks like it works magic! I bet your friend will love the lamp.

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  12. I'm on the tarnished brass team, nicely done! Thanks for sharing. We hope you will consider helping kids with cancer by linking into the Miracle Makeover party this coming week
    at www.designgivesback.com. Together we can change things! We appreciate you.

    Love,
    Sherry, DGB Team

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  13. LOVE the change. Hope for all shiny brass! What exactly does rub and buff do? Is it made to solely tone things down? I've heard of it for a while, but have never really checked it out.

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  14. Wow, that gives it a totally different personality. I am seeing more and more of the "gold/brass coming back but this finish is perfect.

    I host a party on Wednesdays that is a showcase for bloggers with less than 500 followers.... and I would like to invite you! (the linky is open now)

    xoxo BunnyJean @ BunnyJean's Decor and More!
    www.BunnyJeansDecorAndMore.blogspot.com

    I am # 141 in the Met Monday party.

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  15. Hi popping over from Jannell's. so impressed and this is so timely as I am considering doing just this to two gorgeous but very shiny brass lanterns for my kitchen. You are giving me hope!! The possibilies are limitless, who knows what else I might want to transform. SO happy to have found this!

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  16. great transformation, Andrea! love the toned-down look. visiting from Janell's blog.

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing this tip. I have used the "Rub 'n Buff" to make things seem more like metal but I don't think I would have had the idea to use it to tone something down. Gosh, that lamp went from cheap to high end looking with your treatment. I saw your post over at "Tips and Tutorials" link party.

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  18. Hello - I have some polished brass bathroom fixtures I want to change to antique brass. After seeing your brass lamp, I thought I would try rub n buff. Did you prime the lamp first? I have tried using the rub n buff on the polished brass, but it won't adhere. Just wondered what technique you used.

    Thank you.

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  19. Gorgeous makeover!! Love me some Rub 'N Buff! Pinning! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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I love reading each and every one of your comments!