Unique ?1950s?1960s1970s?    Monstera Leaf Retro Lamp Makeover

My projects teach me something - read the "Teach Me A Lesson" at bottom of page.

Above 2 photos - photos of lamp both taken under different light

Above - After some delicate and light sanding - sanding harshly would have damaged the surface...

Above - In it's original state, already started some sanding when I decided to take a photo...

Above - First attempt at colour, light green-blue that turned out more icy light blue......

Above - the ivory brought out it's delicate features, but too boring for me ....

Above - Uggg, I need sunglasses, this yellow was super stark, love the colour not for this item.....

This lamp and I eyed each other curiously in a charity store for about 2 weeks, wasn't sure whether I wanted to pay the high price on it, this store has become so overpriced, it's beyond ridiculous, often equal or more expensive than new retail store prices.  So, I examined this lamp about 10 times over a 2 week period, so unsure, until one day, I cracked and had to have it.  Thinking that if it was gone, then it wasn't meant to be, but there it was, waiting for me, so like a scene from mission impossible I dodged the 5-6 bystanders, clothing racks and goods for sale that were in my way, as I was approaching and at the precise time and distance, I extended my arm out and in my mind I was like the mother in the incredibles movie and swiped it off the shelf, my swift and rapid motions caused bystanders to turn to see what had just happened, and there I was holding it and smiling with joy like a little kid, And The Beautiful Union Was Made!  It was meant to be!

I believe my Little Monstera is from the 50s/60s/70s, I'm really clueless to it's era; the electricals, which still work, are really really old and appear to be original, I would like to replace them for safety.  The lamp is made of some type of plaster, somewhat delicate and dusty like plaster of paris, it is not a baked ceramic glazed lamp, I like to imagine that it was hand made but I really know nothing about it, it has a very fine hairline fracture like you might find in the baking process so it may have been baked but I so don't know, I'm so clueless, again.  The underside told me it had originally been a cream colour, then mission brown, then cream again.  So now it's mine but what colour?

For the restoration ...

Firstly.... cleaned it with vinegar to get off dirt and grime, allowed to dry.

Following .....gave it a light sanding, had to be gentle due to the delicate nature of the plaster.

Then, next step.... re-cleaned it to remove dust from sanding, allowed to dry.

Then, afer that.....Brushed on a water based undercoat in white.

Then, for the painting.....Brushed on a water based wall paint in a light greeny-blue, turned out a matt icy light blue, not happy.

Then, to undercoat, again....Took my chances and overcoated in white oil based, no problems, it worked well. 

Then, for some more painting.....Spray painted oil based Ivory colour, brought out it's delicate features but too boring for me.

Then, for a little more painting.....Thought a yellow would be nice, sprayed oil based yellow which was like a stark banana yellow, overpowering and ugly.  Terrible!

Then, how about even some more painting.......Decided a baby lemon yellow - couldn't find such a shade so I found a Lemon Yellow spray can, true to it's name, it's like lemon off the tree yellow, but I'm happy and it has grown on me beautifully.

Then, for the final finishing touch......The spray can was meant to be high gloss but not as high gloss as I expected, so I applied 3 coats of a super high gloss clear, still not very glossy but it's better.  And the transformation is finished.  Found a clearance dark navy blue lamp shade at Target for $9, same lamp shade that's on my other lamp transformation.

Tip!  Always apply spray cans at the recommended distance and in a gentle moving motion to prevent drips and overload, apply light coats to aim for a layered build up and allow to dry between each coat.

My Little Monstera Lamp will be with me forever, it's so unique.  I know now that a little paint can do so much.

Teach me a Lesson.......I'm finding that with each restoration I learn a lesson, this one taught me to act fast, don't hesitate and wonder about possible purchase regrets, AND, so importantly, to be more decisive with colour choices, perhaps a little test patch would be better on the hip pocket than wasting entire cans and then decide I don't like it.  Lesson Learnt!!!

                         So, what do you think????? 
Does anyone have any information on this type of lamp?????   Any information is greatly appreciated.
                                    :^)  Lara