I have an aversion to brushed chrome.  Why, why, must every apartment built in the last decade or so feature that dull brushed chrome at every opportunity.  Chrome handles, chrome taps, chrome edges.  Gah!  Ok, so, spray paint: it is an easy way to make things not chrome.  My old lamp (from, yep, Ikea) was looking a little sad so I got rid of the shade and bedazzled the base up with some matt black spray paint around the top fitting and gold spray paint on the stand (not a speck of chrome to be seen).   I also discovered that Bunnings stocks filament globes (so excellent) and voilà.

midway

after

details: matt black spray paint and gold spray paint

cost: about $7 each