Can you cover the whole thing up with a large drumshade?

You're right "ifmyheartwasahouse"!!.... Get a wide drum shade and replace the glass one, and let some colored crystals (the same tone of the metal) hang a bit from below.... there are plenty of examples out there in the market.... and you'll achieve the same look for a fraction of the price.

I would start by removing those awful faceted smoked glass panels, and spraypainting the brass parts, including the chain, with a black heat resistant paint. Then I would use one of the glass panels to make a template, and cut same shape out of stiff white vellum.

You could try using light gels. They come in sheets, in many colors, and are generally used for stage lighting to diffuse and colorize. They're easy to cut with scissors so you could fit them into each panel of glass...? Just a suggestion. I know you can order them online at B&H.com
Good Luck!

Poor you. That is one very ugly light fixture. I'm agree with the drum shade idea. The brass color of the fixture is also a problem, you'll need to be careful to about the color of the drum shade. I think a darkish natural linen can look nice with brass, especially if it's not too bright and shiny.

If the drum shade doesn't work, then what about using the film you can put on glass. That might help with the harshness. I used it for privacy, but it also diffuses light. It's really easy to use, too.

I fourth (or whatever) the drum shade idea. Might not even need to replace it afterwards.

I'd like to throw in a suggestion for changing out the opaque candle bulbs to clear ones, round ideally.

I have several fixtures just like this. Pretty sure I'm going to try taking off the outer art with the glass facets and (if I can find it) a big paper lantern on it.

If you wanted to keep the shape, then I would remove the glass and spray them with a frosted glass spray: http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-1903830-Frosted-Glass-11-Ounce/dp/B0009XCKBA

and spray paint the rest of it with black white, or a color that you love.

Is this the same person who wanted to NOT help the neighborhood cats in Saudi Arabia....

What about just covering it up? You could get/make something like a drum shade, attach it to the ceiling around your existing fixture and forget about the whole thing. You could even cover the bottom of the shade in a fabric/paper that diffuses the light nicely. Then, when you move or get bored just take it off and do something else.

Wow, I once read a post where exactly this kind of lamp was getting modified! They were using disks (much like CD's), to hang over the pegs instead of the glass you have there.
The trick was that these disks were without that holographic layer and that they were given a treatment with blue and green nail lacquer. painted in a circle from the inside-out, so it had an air of venetian glass.
sorry for my pre-coffee-morning-english, I hope one can get the point. If by chance I do find this entry, I'll let you know!
Have fun!
Hannah

Drum shade for sure!

I'm all for recycling, re-vamping etc but, good grief! I'd say bin the mostrosity but, obviously this is not an option. How bad does it look without the hideous glass panels? :o

Sorry, that should have been "monstrosity".... like hannelore, I'm suffering from a caffeine deficiency today!

you don't have to worry about the voltage when replacing this fixture. your service in the house should be 120/208v. 110, 115 and 120 volt circuits are basically all the same as far as residential lighting goes.
You can purchase pretty much any fixture you'd like. A quick call to any electrician will explain this to you.

I would wrap the entire fixture in an easily pliable aluminum wire, (found by looking up bonsai enthusiasts) , then crossing the wire every turn, almost the way a cocoon frame is, like more organic. Then use wet muslim or sheeting, in maybe a light tea stained color, dunked in a 50% diluted clear wallpaper paste and applied 4" wide strips in the same manner: cris-crossing over the wire. I know, it sounds weird, but I've done it in restaurants with bad fixtures and it looks like a wonderful organic type lantern when complete. And doesn't mess up the underlying fixture at all. Also, you can leave a large hole at the bottom, but try to make a small hole on the top because you don't want light to hit your ceiling, as your ceiling is not a focal point. Don't worry about the heat. The glass will protect your cocoon.

trash

So sorry about having to endure one of the most hidious lamp fixtures ever conceived. Almost anything would be better. What about using a silver tipped bulb and a plain socket hung from the ceiling? Sometimes keeping it simple works best.

Ah, finally another renter with a hideous lamp fixture! I actually think yours is worse than ours. I have no good ideas yet, just sympathizing.

Question about the drum shade suggestion: How do you get the old shade off to install the new one without taking the whole thing down? (Apologies in advance if this is a stupid question)

Oh, my condolences. 8^( That style of light fixture (brass and faced glass) was hideous in its day, and they are even more so now. The drum shade seems to be the best idea, other than replacing it and putting it back when you move. Good Luck!

Ask the landlord to upgrade, since it looks like he hasn't since 1979.

http://thepaintedhive.blogspot.com/2010/06/from-drab-to-fablighting-makeover.html

I seem to remember a similar post on AT starting with almost exact same chandelier as you have but I can't find it.

I just wonder how on earth something this ugly was not only A) designed and produced, B) purchased by someone, C) Became THE ubiquitous chandelier of track homes from the late 70's/early 80's.

If you dont need the fixture to throw off a lot of light, I would go for the drum shade but have it lined in a gold leaf like finish with the exterior being black. This would be a classic traditional look. The new shade could also taper in the way it tapers now.

I've seen worse - but if you must, I'm sure there are lighting stores in Saudi Arabia?