So was at a friends house and she had all this white in her house with a pop of gold here and there.  I told her that she needed more color to stand out.  She had mentioned that she had been looking for things but couldn't seem to find anything.  She said that everything looked cheap, like it was about to start pealing.  I suggested to add something as simple as a colorful rug, or the lampshades, something.

After I got home from visiting, and having the OCD that I have and couldn't seem to get her home off my mind. I did a lot of searching and came up with this idea.  I brought it to her attention and she was down with it.  We went to the store and got the few supplies needed, and got started.

Step 1: Decide how large you want your chevron pattern to be, I chose a little over 3″. Measure from the base of the shade, up to whatever height you have chosen for your pattern, and place a strip of blue tape at that height, rotating and placing the tape while measuring every few inches to make sure the height is consistent.



Step 2: Place blue tape in chevron pattern, with the bottom points just touching the bottom of the lamp shade, and the top points just touching the bottom of the blue line you placed above in step 1. You may have to adjust your lines a bit once you get around the shade to make sure there is enough room for all of them. Again, don’t be too worried about each repeat being the exact same width. If it looks even to the eye, it will look even when you’re done. Once you have finished placing the first row, remove the line of tape we placed in step 1.



Step 3: After you’ve removed the line, start repeating the pattern, being sure to leave approximately the same amount of space between each line. Use scissors to trim the edges and make clean points. Repeat row after row until the entire lampshade is covered. Don’t forget to place little corner pieces of tape along the bottom of the shade to fully complete the pattern.





Step 4: Using a stencil paintbrush, paint in a dabbing motion to avoid paint leaking under the tape.



Step 5: Remove the tape, and voila! You’re done!



And here she is in the corner of the living room. Welcome little lamp! I’m sure you will be very happy here!