Monday, August 5, 2013

The Fixture Fix

Just popping in this morning since I'm still juggling those two hats from last week. I did want to start the week with a little makeover yakabout. It's from the dining room that I've been working on forever now. One day soon... and I really do mean it this time, Sharon... I will provide that after picture.

It's just that I'm one of those Ta Da kinds of gals, and every time I get ready to Ta Da, I discover yet another glaring error needing to be ta done.

So... please try really hard not to notice how pretty the new chairs look around my table. No, really... don't peek. I'm saving that for the Ta Da.  I even went so far as to take a lousy picture just to obscure your vision.


Instead, please  direct your attention to the glaring error in the room. 
Yes, it's literally glaring. 


Oh  how I loathe that  big fat '80s brasselier.  For one, the builder hung it up too high. To lower it would require rewiring, and I don't want to spend money on an electrician for an unloved brasselier.

What I really want in there is a true crystal chandelier, an antique or  vintage one if possible. For that, I would hire the electrician. I've wanted a lovely vintage chandelier for as long as I've been married. I kind of gave up the dream for a decade or so because *they* said that such fixtures were no longer in style.

Baloney. Beautiful just doesn't go out of style. Plus, about a year ago, I grew up and decided that I was too 50 to worry about it.  I'm the one who has to live here.  So I'm saving and hunting for the perfect antique chandelier.  Of course, I still needed to do something about the brasselier.

Lately, I have fallen in love with yet another vintage look.

This one. 
(screen shot from someone's wedding video.)


I decided to see if I could just fake the look myself.
 I had seen Vanessa At The Picket Fence do something similar a few years ago. 

So we took it down... 


Before... shiny.


During... 
not so shiny. 


I used about 2 cans of Rustoleum Metallics in antique brass to get it to that point. 
 (Tip: It goes on with zero drip marks if  sprayed in short spurts, over and over and over. ) 


Then, I kept playing with additions of espresso craft paint with a dry brush for a few days until I got the aged look that I wanted.  In the meantime, I bid on some vintage crystal prisms on Ebay.



Which I cleaned and sparkled and used to bling the bobeche.



And Ta-D-.....



Ok, not quite Ta Da yet.

 I'm still playing with the number of prisms per bobeche and a few other ideas, but you get the drift.  All told, it took less than forty dollars out of the chandelier fund and I have a bunch of crystals left. Not bad at all for a transitional light fixture, don't you think?

And I'll throw one more tip in for free: If you don't want to dent your beautiful table top by dropping vintage crystal prisms on it when you are playing, cover it with some big fluffy towels.

Don't ask me how I found out...


*****
That's all for me.
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40 comments:

Red Couch Recipes said...

Such a fun post!! I love your new chandelier, and you are very clever!! Joni

Debbie said...

Good morning! How brilliant you are! This looks WONDERFUL! Love it. I tried REALLY hard not to peek at those chairs, but I confess I quickly did...they are beautifully perfect! I do know how you feel though, I always want the TA DA moment too, haha. Enjoy your day Debbie!

Chatty Crone said...

You are amazing! That certainly was TA DA! i LOVE IT. It is beautiful. sandie

Barbara F. said...

I would not worry about finding another chandy, Deb. You knocked this do over outta the park!!! Ta DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it! xo

Sharon said...

IF you were talking about ME, I will be patient for the TA DA...

This is a beautiful transformation - you are so clever! Seriously. This sounds rather elementary, but almost my favorite thing about your transformations is the magic you do with paint. I have never tried *resurrecting* something old with a new paint look. You are inspiring me to give it a go...

By the way, we have a crystal chandelier that was left when we bought our house. We replaced it with an antler one (big surprise!) Anyway, the crystal one sits in our shed. Let me know if you're at all interested in it, and I'll send you a photo of it - though I hardly think you need it. What you have made is so lovely.

xo

Vee said...

It looks great. With one quick addition, it will definitely be ta-da! (I think it needs a prism dead center from that little loop thing...like the one in your inspiration photo.)

Babs said...

Your "new" chandelier looks great! Great paint look and the vintage crystals really give it a lot of sparkle.

Denise said...

So happy we got to stop by your house Saturday and view your light in person. It is beautiful. The photo does not capture just how much those prisms sparkle. I know you have a few more ideas in mind and I can't wait to see you bring them to fruition. Your are so talented.

BTW, those chairs (that we were not supposed to notice) are a perfect match. Great job sister.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

You are Smart and talented, my friend! I love your chandy, it's coming along gorgeous! Big hugs,
FABBY

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

We have twin brasseliers! I like what you did with yours. Mine actually belongs to my big sister, and she's promised she wants it back one day, but that hasn't happened yet, so it remains to hang in the dining room and I've become accustomed to it. I've topped the lights with cute little shades and, hey, brass is back in, or haven't you heard? :)

Angel said...

To say I'm impressed would be an understatement. This totally looks like a Ta-Da to me! I think I will nickname you "The Thrifty Artiste" (since I know you are part French.) :)

Allison said...

Sorry about your table. Mine is scratched from the cats. DH says no more, and I'm about to agree. Great idea for your new chandelier. Dropping by from Met Monday.
Allison
Atticmag

Maryann said...

Wonderful transition...I have some 80's brassy fixtures I am going to try this technique on...great look (I peeked at the chairs too)

Lorrie said...

Great makeover of the brassolier. I've always wanted a crystal chandelier, too. They are so pretty.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I LOvE it!! How smart are you! That really looks so pretty, you didn't spend much and you're getting the look you want! Perfect!

Tanna said...

You are so clever, Debbie... and I do love the way you tell the tale!! Your chandelier makeover looks great. I'm sorry you had to be the one to pass along the necessity of padding the table, but that's good to know. ;) Great job. blessings ~ tanna

Lynn said...

That turned out great! I have to laugh at your first pic... it should come with a sunglasses alert! And I agree, decorate any way you want to and enjoy it:@)

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

See there, not only is it a beautiful 'crystal' chandleier, it also is not like everyone elses. Smart girl!! :)

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Well, aren't you little miss smarty pants! This looks great, I love the paint color.

I stopped listening to what "They" say a long time ago and just enjoy what I like. I was told not to put my crystal chandelier over an oak table, but it has been there over 13 years now and I've enjoyed the aah moments daily, plus a lot of compliments from others.

Katherine

Sue said...

Your talent continues to amaze - it looks great Debbie! I wish we lived closer, my husband is a handy guy and could lower that baby for you in a minute!

I can't wait for the reveal because those chairs that I didn't notice looked perfect with your table.

Gaby said...

Oh, my heavens, if you lived closer I would have just given you the exact chandelier we have in the attic, already darkened and beautiful. It just does not fit our decor, and I use that word very loosely. It just means it's too fancy for our mismatched, second hand house :)

Rettabug said...

Way to Go, Debbie, to update & get the look you want, while still waiting for *the perfect one*!
I think you did a great job...well, except for that dent in the table. Couldn't you just spit when things like that happen?

I could not help but look at your gorgeous new chairs...they ARE *the perfect ones*!!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Yes!

I bought a brass chandy with glass globes from a yard sale years ago, even though it was hideous. Because A - It had a great shape and B - I knew I could paint it black and it would look colonial and C- I knew I didn't have to use the glass globes at all. It now hangs over my dining room table and we love it!

Yours turned out wonderfully! So glad you made a change in the hated one while waiting for the vintage one!

I'll keep my eye out for a chandy for you.

Deanna

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Wow Debbie, your chandy makeover looks great! Maybe you don't need a vintage one after all? Woo hoo for a fabulous job!!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

OK, I didn't look! I love the chandelier...Of course you know I would have painted it white...But, to each their own lol!

Carol

Mary said...

What a great transformation and I love the vintage prisms! We finally replaced our brasselier a couple of years ago. I'm happy to know about the rustoleum metallixs, I'm horrible at spray painting and always have drippy running paint :)

Creations By Cindy said...

WOW! Now this is what I call a great do-over project! Love the transformation! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Great job..that is the kind of thing I am doing with clients...they do the work, I tell them how!
I will email you soon..I have a huge week, even appointments all weekend for the rehearsal dinner I am doing for a client.
But God let me have a break today, a client was sick and I am heading to the movie with my little man...yep, emotions are high right now...not ready for this transition.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Wow this is so pretty...with pics of the hard work it took to get shiny

Ivy and Elephants said...

You really did it, TADA!!! It looks amazing, and no electrician's fee!
Fabulous!
Hugs,
Patti

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debbie, it looks beautiful! How brave of you. I would have been so worried about how it was going to look when I finished spraying the bursts of paint on it that it would have stopped me in my tracks. Good thing you weren't worried, because this is a huge success. The added bling finishes it beautifully. I'm wondering if you even need to hang on to the rest of your chandelier funds. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice that how beautiful your chairs look around the table. Perfect! laurie

Renée said...

Wonderful friend, you have done it once again. Such talent for fix-up and fun. I bet sir lotsahair can hardly wait to get home each weekend to see what you've been up to. Way to go!

Unknown said...

Looks like a very "ta da" moment to me!! Very nice!~~Angela

bj said...

TA DA....it is absolutely beautiful. I thought it would be white before I got to the final finish....the color you chose really is awesome, Debbie.
And after the buildup of NOT looking at the chairs, they were the very first things I saw. :)) And, they are beautiful, too.

Shanee said...

Looks like a big fat awesome TA DA to me! Great makeover, love the color and the prisms and I hardly even looked at those pretty chairs :)

podso said...

This is great---sort of that "new brass look" we saw when shopping for chandeliers, and not getting any but settling for our old brass one in perfect shape. thought of painting it white or silver but I'm pinning your transformation for future reference!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh your poor table! But the light fixture looks fantastic! :)

Debbiedoos said...

And spray paint too! You are killing me today. LOVE how your chande turned out. Amazing what the power of paint can do!

Sharlotte said...

This looks great! I've always wanted to try to modify an older fixture but haven't been brave enough or smart enough to figure it out. In fact, I've bought one but after it was sprayed, I checked out the wiring and two lights weren't working. My husband couldn't (didn't want to)spend the time needed to fix a $5 light. So, I ended up making it a "candle"labra for an outside porch. It's still in the garage, not sure it's going to make it out!
Yours looks great and the crystals are perfect!!!

Savannah Granny said...

Love your transitional chancy.
You really did a good job. You are so correct about the short bursts, light coats and lots of them. You are alsoright about covering the dining table. I took a chunk out of my glass tabletop that way.
I am still playing catch up also,
Have a great weekend, Ginger

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