How to Upcycle a Lampshade with Vintage Sheet Music or Maps

how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books

Creating something yourself for your home, especially when you bring an old object back to life, is incredibly satisfying. It’s also good for the planet. Anything you prevent ending up in landfills through reuse, recycling and reinventing, is a triumph. This project takes old music sheets or maps and uses them to upcycle boring lampshades.  Lamps are both useful and beautiful. They offer a practical and a mood-altering addition to your home.

Lamps can help with increasing focused light where it’s needed, such as for reading, and they ceate a subtle shift in the feeling of a space. I turn off the overhead light each night and turn on the lamps, using LED globes. We are exposed to so much harsh, digital, blue light during our days, switching on a soft lamp at night time, brings much needed relief.

Vintage sheet music, papers, letters, book pages, and maps, work well for decoupage projects and artworks. They create an historic and an attractive option for DIY decorating projects. Look for a variety of patterns, fonts and lettering, to suit the look you want to create. They can be used to upcycle cupboards, tables, as well as lampshades. You can even mount and frame them for unique artworks.

Here’s how to upcycle old lamps using music sheets and maps

The very clever Patturn Studio puts music and lamps together in this project and creates handcrafted lamp shade and lighting designs, featuring lacquered papers. She uses a range of papers such as old maps. These are stunning and unique styles which bring vintage papers into the light.

This is a guest video from Patturn Studio, taking you through how to upcycle a lampshade with vintage music sheets and maps, in particular, but you could use any old papers to create a new look on a favourite lampshade. If you don’t already have one in mind, you can pick up numerous lamps and shades at op-shops. You can also find music-sheets, maps and so on, at op-shops, garage sales and places like ebay and gumtree.

how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books
how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books
how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and booksThanks to Rachel for sharing this with us – you can follow the tutorial below and hop across to her website for more information.

Helen
xx

**updated post from 2016

161 Comments

  1. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    : ) with thanks to Recycled Interiors

  2. Recycled_Interiors on December 10, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    @Patturn you are welcome. thanks for sharing, your work is so beautiful

  3. Michelle Smith on December 10, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Keri! U0001f609

  4. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Oops Recycled Interiors – that’s s German sewing pattern lamp… but paper is paper, they’ll get the idea!! ; )

  5. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Yes Sharon Haydon – Recycled Interiors is quite right. The most important thing is using a standard lampshade as your base. They come with the heat-resistant plastic inner layer so the paper outer layer never heats up at all. Perfectly safe, I’ve made over 300 of these shades by now!! And as you can imagine I have many in my own home : )

  6. Jani Posthumus on December 10, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    To match your table Danielle Eyesinmybladder!

  7. Danielle Eyesinmybladder on December 10, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    Uh, yeah!

  8. Sarah Hawkins on December 10, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Love your video and would love to give it a go… Where do you purchase your music sheets from? U0001f600

  9. Lisa Bennett on December 11, 2014 at 4:26 am

    Debbie Day saw this and thought of you!! X

  10. Recycled_Interiors on December 11, 2014 at 6:43 am

    @Sarah Hawkins have a look in some Op Shops, or on ebay 🙂

  11. Deborah Milton on December 11, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Rachel Vinen

  12. Richelle Gillett on December 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Richie Wilcox Aaron Collier

  13. Karen Spence-Gordon on December 11, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Could u use pianola rolls.

  14. Emma-Lea Mckay on December 11, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Just two days ago haani smahed her need side lamp. ..so I thought I’d make a new one! !!! Perfect!!!!!
    We should attempt together Denise Bullen!!!!! Fun project.xx

  15. Alice Hitchmough on December 11, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    very nice

  16. Skips Now on December 11, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    This is really stylish and creative! You not only get to decorate your home, you get to save the environment in general. For sure music lovers will go and try this out now!

  17. Alex Zelenjak on July 19, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Liz Gillon

  18. Leah Kanschat on July 19, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    Stacey Loukis

  19. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Brilliant love it

  20. Liz Gillon on July 19, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    I want one!

  21. Jodie Fergusson-Batte on July 19, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Love.

  22. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Alison Bailey

  23. Recycled Interiors on July 19, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    its a good one! Jodie Fergusson-Batte

  24. Recycled Interiors on July 19, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    isnt it great! Stacey Loukis

  25. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Absolutely :))

  26. Joni Goodall on July 19, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Matt Harsanyi just for you

  27. Yvonne Probst on July 19, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Matthew Evans

  28. Matthew Evans on July 19, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Ooooo I really like that!!

  29. Nathan Gordon Pearce on July 19, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Allira Jade Potter-Pearce

  30. Alex Zelenjak on July 19, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    I’ll work on it for you

  31. Renae Austin on July 19, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    Lorna van der Merwe what a lovely idea

  32. Letty May on July 20, 2015 at 3:43 am

    Nicholas McCarthy

  33. Who'd Have Thought? on July 20, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Love this idea Helen!

  34. Vicky Baker on July 20, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Michelle Barnes. Thought if you.

  35. Michelle Barnes on July 20, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Amazing!

  36. Kellie-Anne Dixon on July 20, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Felicity Jayne I feel like you might like this.x

  37. Felicity Jayne on July 20, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Oh I love it!!

  38. Recycled Interiors on July 20, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    isn’t it great!

  39. Refitting The Planet - aka: tomt on July 20, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    wow. pretty.

  40. Rachel Macreadie on July 21, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Love this!! Have a recycled musical shade in my lounge.. Now to get a lamp for my bedroom!! U0001f604

  41. Lucy Anastasia on July 21, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Maja Pearson

  42. Mandy Kaine on July 21, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Phill

  43. Mandy Kaine on July 21, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Phillipa Richardson

  44. Phillipa Richardson on July 21, 2015 at 11:50 am

    I love lamps

  45. Naomi Strange on July 21, 2015 at 11:59 am

    I have old handwritten sheets from my grandmother. … might be time to make something.

  46. Jax Hawkins on July 21, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Rebecca Seach

  47. Bridey Gstalter on July 21, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Absolutely love this

  48. Rachael Punchard on July 21, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Great idea x

  49. Shelley Wauchope on July 21, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Leisa

  50. Leisa Russell on July 21, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Love

  51. Sustainable showcases on July 21, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    sharing x

  52. Jen Bayada Anderson on July 21, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Gabe Rae

  53. Nicole Harman on July 21, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Patturn makes these. (Geelong based). It’s her image shown here.

  54. Patturn on July 21, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    Thanks Nicole : )

  55. Patturn on July 21, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    Lovely comments – thanks everyone!! : )

  56. Robynne White on July 21, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Amy White

  57. Katie Walcott on July 21, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    Sabrina Lee Walcott

  58. Jeanne Dwyer on July 21, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    Ange Hewett

  59. Ange Hewett on July 21, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    Gorgeous! Thanks

  60. Kristie Turner on July 21, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Paigey Sultana…..this is MUTHERFLIPPING genius!!!!U0001f3b6U0001f646U0001f3fbU0001f44cU0001f3fdU0001f60d

  61. Paigey Sultana on July 21, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    I love it!!!U0001f60dU0001f60dU0001f60dU0001f44fU0001f3b6

  62. Jeanne Dwyer on July 21, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Megan Dwyer

  63. Jenny Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Philip G Roberts

  64. Philip G Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    I’ll add it to the list 😉

  65. Michelle Stokes Decorator on July 21, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Very nice!

  66. Jenny Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    Its classy!!

  67. Anne Quatermass on July 21, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Love this

  68. Michelle Wood on July 21, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    Shanine Farley

  69. Lisa Barden on July 22, 2015 at 6:47 am

    Robyn Cochrane

  70. Katy Lee on July 22, 2015 at 7:43 am

    James Baker

  71. Melissa Bayntun on July 22, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Brandy Bayntun

  72. Meli Searle on July 22, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Heather Mercer this might appeal to you x

  73. Tony Barb South on July 22, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    Kerri Colliver

  74. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    you are a clever clogs

  75. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    definitely! Naomi Strange would love to see what you do

  76. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    fabulous! Rachel Macreadie

  77. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    <3

  78. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    simple and effective Rachael Punchard x

  79. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    yes it is and it is all in the blog post Nicole Harman 🙂

  80. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    it is a good one Bridey Gstalter 🙂

  81. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    we love this maker, she is very clever Michelle Stokes Decorator

  82. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    it’s a good one Anne Quatermass

  83. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    <3

  84. Cathy Ransom on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Georgia Stone

  85. Sam Muglia on July 22, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Jacqui Chambers David Sindel Lauren Stefanou – we should have a arts & crafts day and make this?

  86. Bridey Gstalter on July 22, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    I wouldn’t have a clue where to find old sheet music

  87. Laura Davis on July 22, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Graham Davis perfect for your room

  88. Amy Logan Russell on July 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    Jamie Busch.. I LOVE this!

  89. Jo Laurie on July 22, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    LadyRosa Vahlula Berrycake nice one x

  90. Kristy Rush on July 22, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Matt Rush this is cool

  91. Heather Mercer on July 22, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    i’ve got a lampshade at the moment i’ve been planning on transforming..and i have old music…got to make it happen!

  92. Meli Searle on July 22, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    excellent! x

  93. Sean McNamara on July 22, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Pia Prevost

  94. Stephy Cbl Kate on July 22, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Chloe Baker have a feeling you’d love one of these!

  95. Chloe Baker on July 22, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Yes, so good!!

  96. Dannielle Smith on July 22, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Kdawg x

  97. Kdawg Dowds on July 23, 2015 at 5:10 am

    Stunning x

  98. S Ridley T Schellaars on July 23, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Sharms Klein this made me think of you!

  99. Sharms Klein on July 23, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Love it! How clever & awesome!!

  100. Sharms Klein on July 23, 2015 at 7:18 am

    Thanks for the tag!

  101. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Kate Louise…. Hellooooo

  102. Denise Johnson on July 23, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Kadon Johnson

  103. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Ummm…love!!!

  104. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Wanna make it for me!!!!!??!!! U0001f609U0001f609

  105. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Yesssss…. If you want it by next year 😉 if you have any sheet music… Chuck it my way xx

  106. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I’m happy to wait!!!!! U0001f609 Would go awesome in my music room! I have stacks of sheet music!

  107. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 9:54 am

    Thought it would look great in there. kmart has those lamps too xx

  108. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Ooooohhh!!! U0001f603U0001f62c

  109. Josephina Lenita on July 23, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Brenden Catchpole U0001f60d

  110. Kelly Butter on July 23, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Alice Emily Butter

  111. Errin Mullins on July 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Lareen McMaster

  112. Lareen McMaster on July 23, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    Wow Errin Mullins it’s gorgeous. Ta

  113. Errin Mullins on July 23, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    So you

  114. Lareen McMaster on July 23, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    🙂 would love this in my house and studio

  115. Lynne Seiler on July 23, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Love it

  116. Todd Liston on July 23, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Deena Liston cool!

  117. Christine Tomkins on July 23, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    Chloe Louise

  118. Chloe Louise on July 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Need it!

  119. Pene Lope on July 23, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Caroline Louise
    Amos Cooper

  120. Caroline Louise on July 23, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Beautiful xx

  121. Caitlyn Walker on July 23, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Connor Lizotte

  122. Kelly Dodds on July 23, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Matthew Hedrich

  123. Sharni Tait on July 23, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    Jillian Weir

  124. Melissa Brooks on July 23, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    Alex McCann thought of you when I saw this! xx

  125. Renae Mccoullough on July 23, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Linda Banovich, Andrew Banovich great idea xx

  126. Paula Curtis on July 23, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    Tahlia Batters – cool up cycled shade

  127. Recycled Interiors on July 24, 2015 at 7:48 am

    it’s a great idea Lynne Seiler

  128. Recycled Interiors on July 24, 2015 at 7:49 am

    great impact Paula Curtis

  129. Kylie Polkinghorne on July 24, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Anja Legg Sue Murphy you guys might like this!

  130. Sue Murphy on July 24, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I do like it!

  131. Yvonne Hickmann DeVries on July 24, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Lyn Barbary

  132. Rhonda Wright on July 24, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Very cool

  133. Lyn Barbary on July 24, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    How cool. I think I may have to make this..ta!

  134. Linda Banovich on July 24, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    This looks famnastic. xxx

  135. Deb Drummond on April 8, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Love this U0001f60a

  136. Lianne Whitcombe on April 8, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Lisa Baker-Clark how beautiful and is this…

  137. Recycled Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 7:46 am

    it’s a wonderful project

  138. Rebekah Dimmery on April 8, 2016 at 8:18 am

    Nicole, I could see this in your house 🙂

  139. Nicole Forbes on April 8, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Indeed it would be 🙂

  140. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    it is a gorgeous project!

  141. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    would love to see it if you do!

  142. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    you should have a go making one 🙂

  143. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    oh that is brilliant!

  144. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Bridey you might find some in op shops or second hand stores

  145. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:57 am

    yes it is!

  146. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:57 am

    oh that would be lovely

  147. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:58 am

    it is a great one!

  148. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:58 am

    @Skips Now totally!

  149. Jacqui Barnes on April 8, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Kellie Harris thought you might like this one xx

  150. Ally Hinton on April 8, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Rachel Hinton next project?

  151. Jacqui Lee on April 8, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Kelly Evans.. Tall one for the studio?

  152. Kelly Evans on April 9, 2016 at 6:41 am

    It would be perfect

  153. Helene Wild on April 15, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    Or a map? U0001f618

  154. The Comfi Cottage - Bohemian Bedspreads & Homeware on April 15, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    I see a map too – but I love it, I love all things map related! : )

  155. Karen Bell on April 15, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    Love that lamp

  156. Stacey Hazell on May 6, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Leah Schusterthought of you

  157. Leah Schuster on May 6, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Love it Stacey. Where is it!

  158. Stacey Hazell on May 7, 2016 at 7:19 am

    You can make your own with a cheap lamp then add your music notes on top

  159. Bells Taylor on May 7, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Tom O’Brien U0001f60a

  160. Recycled_Interiors on May 16, 2016 at 9:58 am

    me too so lovely

  161. Recycled_Interiors on May 16, 2016 at 9:58 am

    oh yes there is a map one too!

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