Moviehole-katietreasures: Spray Painted Chandelier Makeover

When we first bought our house, I decided to replace light fixtures. At the time bling was the thing and although I didn't hate it then I didn't love it either. It looked too new and unnatural, to be real brass. Most of the stuff in my house was plated junk that wouldn't age and patina. I decided to go with antique brass for this house. I love an antique piece that has a natural aged look to it. I found them at thrift shops, garage sales and antique stores for nothing. Which was necessary because

this house had ugly, cheap fixtures that were not my style at all!! My light fixtures were not the typical Williamsburg fixture of the 90's that could be spray painted.

Mine were hideous!
They were very similar to this.

And this.

I lived with my ugly fixture for less than a year before I replaced it with

this.

This was $25.00 at the Junior League yearly sale.

I was tickled to get it and loved it for a long, long time.

It didn't come with any crystals. I added them through out the years and attached them all the ways that I could. Hot glue and wire were my methods of choice. I used to be able to find baggies of crystals for about $5.00 a bag. I think people were keeping their old fixtures but taking the sparkle off. The sparkle is the best part!
If you can't find replacement crystals t at a junk shop. You can get them at your local home improvement warehouse.

I added the shades and the cord cover which I made with a hot glue gun and some fabric scraps.

It was pretty good for the 90's.

I always felt that I would find my forever chandelier for the dining room. I looked and looked for one like this. It needed to be a little bigger than this one with another teir of lights.

I thought aged brass or bronze was timeless and it would eventually come back in style. But then Oil Rubbed Bronze came on the scene. In addition my antique brass fixture was just not cutting it with my new front door.

Here is the thing. Mr. Bill splurged on this door. He wanted something that would be energy efficient but would also look good.
I think he nailed it.

I love this door.
Our dining room is the first thing you see when you enter the house.
It is immediately to the left of the entry.

I got new chairs.

We got this new hutch.

When the budget recovered, I started looking for a new fixture.

Of course since I was looking and ready to buy, I couldn't find a thing in my price range that I loved.

Get it here.

I decide to give spray paint a whirl.

I figured that if it didn't work I would expand my search and my budget for the perfect fixture.
I mean what did I have to lose? I only spent $25.00 and I had it for almost 20 years.

We took it down.