So far, working on our studio has brought a pretty good mix of different types of projects: Sometimes we are completely removing features, and sometimes we are creating features from scratch, but we’ve also had our fair share of restyling/makeover projects as well (like our concrete countertop).
When picking out lighting for the house, we debated over keeping the existing chandelier in the dining room or picking something new for the space.
Of course, a beautiful chandelier is one of my favorite choices for lighting a room, but this chandelier was in need of some major TLC, and we weren’t sure if we could really bring back its proper shine. Eventually, its potential got the best of us, and we decided to dive in and bring it back to the life it deserves.
Since we loved the idea of being able to restore the original metal finish (not sure exactly what metal it is—maybe brass?) I tried a few different cleaning methods to try and bring back the original color.
The metal had become extremely dark and grey over the years, and even with all the elbow grease I could muster, my cleaning attempts hardly made any difference at all. Bummer.
So instead, we moved on to plan B and decided to paint the metal to mimic its original luster.
I removed the crystals and taped off the glass and candle elements of the lighting fixture and took it outside for a few coats of my favorite copper spray paint
. As the paint dried, I set to work on cleaning the crystals.
Man, were they dirty. With all the renovation dust from our construction on the home, there was definitely not going to be any sparkle coming off those crystals anytime soon.
Luckily, all they needed was a bath in warm, soapy water and once they dried, they were good as new!
Once the crystals were reattached, we hung the light back up, and the difference in sparkle and shine was instantly clear. And we weren’t even done yet! I wanted to turn the crystal volume up just a bit, so I ordered a few crystal octagons from here and made some long chains to add to the chandelier.
I also replaced the candle sleeves (the long white tubes around the “candle” part of the lights) and added new bulbs.
Voilà! What was once a dingy and dark fixture is now full of life and sparkle. This little light is ready for its close-up! xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Laura Gummerman & Sarah Rhodes.
This looks beautiful! Great refresh!
xo
Christa
www.gardeniasandmint.wordpress.com
My crystal chandelier is my most favorite possession–my aunt had one for a long time, redecorated, put hers in the shed, and she then generously passed it on to me. I love it–I clean it in the sink the same way you do (I think it’s the easiest way), and I clean it twice a year (June, and the week before Christmas). It’s STUPID how happy that damn thing makes me feel : )
Amazing! I’m not sure if I would have thought of copper to paint it with… I didn’t associate it with such shine! Looks amazing. And I am obsessed with chandeliers so you guys are killing me. Might need to go splurge.
msmelange.com
Wow! Great job, it looks amazing!
Wow Laura! I am inspired! Really, really love the charm of the past while adding sparkle to your today. I can imagine the parties/celebrations this lovely piece will light up!
I love this idea!! So great that you could keep the old chandelier!
I haven’t been able to stop noticing chandeliers; how did you know that this was exactly what I needed?? Yesterday I was half joking with friends when they walked out of Hollister with bags of clothes and said that I wished I could walk out of Hollister with their chandeliers! http://brunchataudreys.tumblr.com
Gorgeous! I had no idea you could buy paint like that, and it looks so much prettier with the added crystals! x
This looks amazing!
I love it! 🙂
http://threepinkcats.blogspot.de/
Yeah, that’s gorgeous.
I’m obsessed!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVE it! I’m not going to lie, it turned out way better than I thought it would!
Liz
www.liz-makes.com
Thank you Laura 🙂
This looks amazing! Its surprising how much they can lift a room. great job!
www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com
x
What a great way to update and not get rid of the beautiful chandelier you already have!
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
It’s actually linked in the blog post where I talk about painting the fixture 🙂
It’s great!
Laura
Just go to a lighting store and ask for candle sleeves, that’s what they are called 🙂 You may have to look online for the right size…
Laura
I’m so glad you guys decided to keep the original chandelier! It’s absolutely stunning and looks even more fabulous with a little facelift!
xoxo
Taylor
I did spray the chain, but I didn’t have to do anything special. Just held it upright and sprayed it like everything else, making sure to cover every angle 🙂
Laura
Glossy white is a great idea. That must look stunning!