Another genius idea from IKEA's home inspiration blog Livet Hemma (alas, the posts are only in Swedish): Take inexpensive spun-aluminum Foto Lamps and give them a candy-colored coating. They come to bright life in colors like mint, lemon, and peach.
Above: Choose a spray paint that adheres to a metal surface; a low-VOC option is the 100-percent acrylic Krylon H2O Latex. To begin, wipe the lamp with a damp rag and let it dry. Cover the section of cord closest to the lamp with masking tape to protect it from paint. You will get a more even result if you spray on two thin layers of paint, but make sure to let the first coat dry before you reapply the second coat.
Above: For a more finished look, spray-paint the lamp's ceiling holder in the same shade.
Above: Along with Ikea's Foto Lamp ($19.99 each), choose a spray paint that adheres to a metal surface; a low-VOC option is the 100-percent acrylic Krylon H2O Latex.
For more DIY lighting projects, see our previous posts: Surrealist Pendant Lamp Trio and A Ten-Minute Lamp by Dino Sanchez.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 24, 2011.