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Thrifted Chandelier Transformation

DIY | Home Tour
diy, chandelier, diy chandelier, trash to treasure, budget decor, lighting, interior design, design on a dime, second hand, chalk paint, rope, texture, projects, crafts, light, remington avenue

Lighting really makes an impact in home design.  When we bought our home in March of this year (2015), all the lighting was very tuscan style…  Black rod iron and yellow glass shades for days.  We have gone a different direction in our home, so I have been systematically changing out all the lights. As you probably know, lighting can be quite expensive, esp if your changing out an entire house worth!  Some I’ve bought brand new, and others I’ve thrifted.  When I shop used lights, I look for fixtures that have a good shape.  If you like the style and shape there is always a way to transform it! The color and texture can always be changed!
I came across this one last week.  It was listed for $60 and the seller said it had never been installed.  They also stated they purchased it for $400!  I’m not sure if I believe that, but it is a very heavy nice piece.  Long story short, I offered $20 (after noticing it had been listed for several months) and they accepted.

The next day, I put my kids down for they’re daily naps and went to work on transforming my new treasure.  If you follow my projects, you know I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  Using a can of Graphite chalk paint I had left over from my painted tile project, I quickly began dry brushing the paint all over the chandelier.  Dry brushing is a painting technique in which a paint brush that is relatively dry, but still holds paint, is used.  The resulting brush strokes have a characteristic scratchy look that lacks the smooth appearance that washes or blended paint commonly have.

I first positioned the light upside down to cover all the bottom side of the light.  Chalk paint drys super fast.  By the time I was finished with the bottom side it was dry enough to flip right side up and finish the remaining top side.  I did not do multiple coats.  I just made sure to get in all the nooks and cranies, making sure none of the original metal was showing.  I also did not wax since the chandelier would be hanging where nobody could touch it!
After the entire chandelier was painted (minus the 4 columns in the middle), I began wrapping hemp from the base of the columns all the way around all 4, and working my way up.  The columns were the only part of the light which I really didn’t like.  They seemed to date it. Here’s what it looked like.
Honestly, I got about a quarter the way up the middle with the hemp and realized this wasn’t working for me.  I wasn’t liking the look.  So I went to plan B.  I made a quick run to Lowe’s to grab some thicker rope.  I purchased 100ft of Twisted Sisal for about $6.  Total cost so far $26!
This time instead of wrapping all 4 columns together, I wrapped each individually.  Starting at the base of each column, I glued the end of the rope to the column with hot glue.

 

Once the end was secured to the base, I wrapped each column making sure to tighten the rope as I went up.

 

 

This was looking so much better! I finished all 4 columns and then trimmed some of the fray from the sisal with my scissors.

 

Here is what it looked like.  My hubs helped me hang the light.  I did make a few touch ups to the paint once it was hung.

 

I could have totally called this the finished product, but I wanted a little bit of bling.  I ordered some chandelier crystals from Amazon for $9 a pack (10).  I also had some extra wood bead strands from another light I purchased for my living room.  I combined the 2 materials to create a little dazzle.
I separated the tear drop crystal from the rest of the chain.  Using some jewelry wire I had handy, I wove the wire through the wood bead to connect the two materials.
Then I connected one of the octagon crystals to the wire to create my new charm.
I didn’t have enough crystals to hang on all the lights, so I just did the lower ones, omitting the 4 uppers.  Its a 12 light Chandelier.  Using the jewelry wire I simply twisted the charms strait to the metal swirls on the chandelier.
The end result…
And for the full effect…Before!
…After

 

Not bad for a completely original chandelier totaling at $35!

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6 Comments

  1. Hi Mysha! Stopping by from IG to let you know how wonderful your makeover is!! You did such a great job. It looks so high end now.

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