By Jennifer Ingram,Owner, Gracious Spaces in Brentwood, TN
I spend a good bit of time working on DIY projects at home as well as in my clients’ homes to achieve a high-end look. We all want a home that feels cohesive, polished, and comfortable, right? However, the reality is that we have budgets and time constraints to consider that often times stifle our progress. That’s why I always look for budget-friendly solutions (aka, “hacks”) that achieve the goal without having to jump through endless hoops.
I recently decided to give my burnished bronze kitchen chandelier a shabby-french facelift. It no longer worked with my evolving décor style so instead of shelling out big bucks on an electrician to remove and install a brand new chandelier, I chose to upcycle my existing fixture by giving it a new paint treatment. I always have plenty of paint on hand so this makeover cost me nothing other than my time. You can use Annie Sloane chalk paint but I chose to use an off-white interior latex paint in eggshell. Either way, there is no sanding or real mess involved. The latex paint is also much cheaper and still gives complete coverage.
I used a small brush to paint over the entire fixture (as it hung) and waited 30 minutes for it to dry. Then, I added the second coat to completely cover the bronze finish. I added short strands of beads (from Michael’s) with a glue gun to add a little sparkle. I also added old, acrylic crystals from another project and twisted them on to add a little “bling.” Finally, I used a sand block to distress my chandelier in selected areas. If you find that you’ve distressed it too much, you can always swipe on a little paint to cover it back up. Very forgiving.
You may wonder about chandelier shades. I haven’t used mine in several years. I really like the look of the bare bulbs with the dimmer switch. You get the pretty glow without the blinding brightness of the bulb. Frosted bulbs also help control the glare and look so pretty that I don’t even miss the shades.
Don’t ever underestimate what you can do with paint. This is a very easy, inexpensive project that can be finished in a few hours. And if you have someone who can remove the fixture for you then a spray painting treatment is even faster and just as effective.
I love how the shabby-french look works seamlessly into my kitchen. A few hours of my time is worth the result. So, if you are unhappy with your existing fixture then consider re-painting it as a cost-effective option. Little mistakes can be easily covered and you will feel empowered by your new DIY skills!
Jennifer specializes in interior styling, move-in design, & occupied home staging services. Follow at http://www.facebook.com/graciousspacesstyle. Details at http://www.gracious-spaces.net. Questions or book an appointment: [email protected]
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