Strapped for cash, and hating the crystal surface-mount light in our dining room, we knew that unless we found the perfect light for less than ten dollars, we would be living with the gaudy 1980's light fixture, or else prepping for a DIY. After finding this inexpensive black wrought iron chandelier at a garage sale, we knew it was DIY time!
The first step of the transformation was removing the frosted glass shades and sand blasting the wrought iron to prepare it for painting. Before sand blasting, we covered the chords and wiring with duct tape, to protect it. If you are interested in repainting a lamp but don't have access to a sand blaster, you can use fine grit black sanding paper and wet sand the finish of your fixture.
After sand blasting, the fixture was cleaned up and given a coat of white primer and two coats of glossy white paint. When it was time to install the chandelier, we had one last change up our sleeves. Instead of reassembling to its original configuration, we decided to flip the direction of the lights, so they pointed up at the ceiling, giving the room a brighter, more ambient light as it is bounced and was reflected by the white ceiling.
Sure, it's not our idea of an ideal light fixture, but it a nicer, subtle source of light for the dining room, and much better than the tacky crystal light fixture that was there before.
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Great job!
I like it :)
Looks good. I would like to paint a light fixture, but what is wet sanding? I know, dumb question but I would like my paint to stick so I need all the how to help I can get. Thanks
It is improved, but the style is still all wrong for your space. Why don't you sell this on craigslist for $50 and buy something more appropriate?
Looks great!
I did this with a garage sale fixture and loved the result. I'd say that with a lot of fixtures (mine included) you can get away with not sanding. Definitely depends on the texture of the fixture.
And you covered the cord, not the chord. ;-)
That looks great! My house had the same fixture in our dining room when we moved in, and now I kind of wish I hadn't given it to ReStore (although I love the light we DIYed for our dining room).
I like it but wish the shades/glass fixtures were different. You need something more modern and less home depot boxed light looking.
The "after" shots you've been posting all day are really annoying that they are behind a cut. It makes it a lot of work for those of us who don't feel like sitting here all day clicking links. For example, this one: yuk. This "after" is not something I am interested in knowing about but I had to click thru to see that. How about putting the before and after photos both before the cut?
Why is everybody so dang picky? Before the cut, after the cut, spelling errors? Honestly...this is super clever and well done! Thanks for the post and the idea!
What a wonderful transformation. You should be proud.
I wanted to add that I think the light is nice for the space. Certainly any room would look amazing with a really expensive fixture, but you took something you already had and made it fit. I think it looks nice, plus, it was almost free.
TrishinPeoria: Wet sanding just used a different kind of sand paper, usually a fine grit (the higher the number the better) and usually the sandpaper is black. When I wet sand, I have a bucket full of water that I dip the sand paper into every now and then, to keep it wet. It makes the sanding much smoother, without scraping up what you're sanding.
Also, I should note: do not sandblast just any material! It must be a very sturdy steel or wrought iron to hold up to the sand blasting. If you are trying to paint brass or something equally weak, I would wet sand for sure.
Also, to everyone who wishes the light fixture fit the style of the space better, we do too! We are still on the look out for a better light, but this one is a place holder for now, and although it might not be perfect, I don't condone buying things you can't afford just because it looks nicer. :) The paint job and reconfiguration just made it easier to live with.
Oh, and TrishinPeoria, here is a link to some sandpaper that would work: http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_9990000082596011P?vName=Computers%20&%20Electronics&cName=CarElectronics&sName=Accessories&sid=KDx20070926x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9990000082596011P
One word...
Brilliant!
Not a bad transformation, especially for a temporary fix. I would suggest getting rid of the frosted glass shades altogether and just having bare bulbs (if you can find some cool looking bulbs).
Thank you amandaPlease
Wonderful!
Great source for lighting like this - ReStore!!
I think it looks great!
My ReStore (Farmville VA) sucks. Every time I go in there, I'm depressed by the really crappy fixtures and the incredibly pricey furniture.
I would have preferred the before without the glass shades but simply with nice clear bulbs to give it a somewhat industrial look. In my humble opinion the white paint didn't change the style.
I agree with a bunch of the other commenters.. The style didn't change much. I still don't like it and it doesn't really match the rest of the decor. You could find a much better fixture for very little money.
i forgot to say in my last comment that I think the dining room is beautiful- would be much better with a different light fixture.
Cords. Chords are something else entirely, and unsandable.
I challenge those who say you can get a better light fixture for "very little money" to actually find something better and post the links. Arroyo said $50 could do it. Prove it! I think they did a great job here!
I think it looks great! We are always looking for cheap 'temporary' fixes to fixtures etc. I think it was brilliant.
That works! EVERY brass fixture in this country should be done the same way...immediately!! :-)
Why would anyone take the time to sign in here just to hate on somebody's efforts? @amandaPlease, this is a great transformation, especially given the cash restraints. I like the one suggestion to drop the glass all together and just use larger bulbs (we did that with a brass monstrosity in our dining room), but the comments about all wrong for the space? not worth clicking through? man. some people need some happy pills or something. makes me rethink wanting to submit anything here!
I think it looks much better, and even though the style of the fixture is not exactly right, the white color makes it less of a "statement" in the room and more of a functional piece... I'm such a freak for "glam" I'd have tried adding crystals or pearls, but that wouldn't have made it any more of the right "style" for your space, which btw is gorgeous!
I love it! It went from being an eyesore to a minimalist classy addition to the dining room. :)
To anyone that wants a short term fix for their ugly chandelier, I can attest that Krylon Indoor / Outdoor gloss spray paint holds up well with 2-3 light coats and no sanding. Hey, I'm lazy! After all, no one will be touching the chandelier to scratch the paint.
From disgusting bronze chandelier to a fun green for $33!
It looks great! Not to be a curmudgeon, but if you can afford those bangin' chairs, you can probably afford a nice globe fixture or modern paper lantern from Ikea for $20-$30. It would look so much better! I bet the paint and supplies cost close to that, anyway.
@typwc, you said prove it! Finding a good fixture for $50 and under is pretty easy.
This would look much better with their mid century chairs.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50206367
Although a little played out (although I love them), you could also get a $15 conversion kit and hardwire a knappa pendant up there. That's what I did, and it was less than $50 for everything. Of course, arguing over a personal preference is pretty silly, and maybe they like their home depot pendant.
Err...home depot chandelier. I do like the flip, however. That was a great idea.
Very nice job!
did you flip it over?
the light looks like the shades hang down in the first picture.
Did you re-wire it?
This is a great solution! I'm going to do the same thing to one of my fixtures. Like yours, it isn't perfectly suited to the decor, but it's a hell of a lot better until I can get what I really want! Nice job! Your dining space is really cute!
Can you tell us a little more about what was involved in flipping it over? I have the same chandelier and am not sure how complicated this part would be?
Thank you!
Your room deserves better but if you're happy...
I think it's cool! And it works well with the blend of modern and vintage you have with the milk glass collection, etc...
Hey Radioriot, Thanks for the link! I think you're right that for this space, those lights from Ikea would really work! And would have saved these guys a lot of trouble. I usually shy away from Ikea lights because they don't put off a lot of light, maybe that's what these homeowners were thinking too? I have a more traditional dining room so I'm often frustrated by the selection of lighting under $100. Thanks!
love how you flipped the direction of the arms, cool twist