Thanks to big box stores and online shopping juggernauts, it’s not hard to find cheap lighting that’s also nice-looking. But if you’re concerned about how these products are made and what allows them to be so affordable, duck out of the conventional consumer chain and hit the thrift stores. Lamps are one of the most common items you’ll find at thrift stores, and even the ugliest among them has potential. Sure, you can revitalize a thrifted lamp with a simple coat of paint, but adding a few steps can leave you with much more stunning results without much time or skill required.

A lamp with an oversized ceramic base is a prime candidate for a makeover relying on something called “hot drywall mud,” but any thick-based lamp will work. Lone Fox, the DIYer who inspired this project, described hot drywall mud as a mixture of plaster of Paris and joint compound. They applied it to the lamp base in a purposefully messy manner. Hot drywall mud dries in under an hour — in some cases, even as little as 20 minutes — making it a smart addition to a one-day project. Lone Fox topped the rough-hewn surface with metallic paint and accents, and the results are definitively high-end.

Give this illuminating upgrade a try with a lamp, a package of hot drywall mud, a small bucket, spray paint in both black and a metallic sheen, and some painter’s tape. Also grab a pair of rubber gloves, a few rags, some sandpaper, and a tube of Rub n Buff, a product that will give you the perfect metallic paint finish every time.

Don those protective gloves and give the lamp base a good clean-up with a damp rag and a bit of soap. Wrap the bulb socket and where the cord comes out of the lamp in painter’s tape. Mix up some hot drywall mud in the bucket according to the directions on the package. Scoop out handfuls of the mixture, and smooth it over the lamp base until it’s covered in a thick layer. Work quickly, because drywall mud starts to set up in about 20 minutes. To give the surface some visual interest, drag your fingertips through the mud (not too deeply) to make a pattern. Create squiggle lines, dots, or even words. For a less rustic look, drag a cake decorating comb through the mud in series of curves, diagonals, or other appealing shapes.

After the short dry time, run a piece of sandpaper lightly over the mud’s surface to smooth away any jagged points. Top it with a coat of black paint; it doesn’t have to be flawless — it’s just meant to bring out the best in the metallic paint. Follow up with a coat or two of metallic spray paint. Once it’s dry, use your gloved hand to apply the Rub n Buff onto the raised portions of the mud layer, avoiding covering the entire surface. Top it with an LED bulb and a shade, plug it in, and admire the glowing luxe decor you’ve made yourself.