Chandelier Makeover Instructions!

After: a bit of imagination and a dash of bling!

When I moved into my home I inherited this uninspired, basic builder, chandelier. Since I thought I could not make it look worse then it already did. I gave it a fun and inexpensive makeover, until I could afford to upgrade. To my surprise it has gotten many compliments, so I am in no hurry to replace it any time soon.

I enjoy tinkering with things and the challenge of seeing what I can come up with using creativity rather then lots of money. I like to stretch my decorating dollars, while keeping it classy.

I did this project in stages.

1.) Paint the chandelier.

2.) Trim the shades.

3.) String the clear beads by making two types, long strings and hanging drops.

4.) Apply the beads to the chandelier and add the shades.

It took me around three hours total and cost approximately $25.00 in materials. Below I explain how to accomplish each stage.

To Paint the fixture: I turned off the power to the chandelier, but left it hanging in place. I dabbed it all over with a barely damp kitchen sponge dipped in antique gold craft paint. I wet the sponge first to make it pliable. I blotted off the excess paint on a newspaper as I went along. I let the paint dry overnight and worked on the shades and stringing the clear beads.

Before: The ugly duckling

Tools and supplies

I found the lamp shades at the dollar store and used coupons to buy the trims and clear plastic beads. I had the other supplies on hand.

To trim the shades: Use Elmer's or hot glue to apply the trims, then use clothes pins to hold them in place until dry. I first glued the black bead trim around the bottom edge, then added a second layer of the gold gimp on top of it.

Apply the trims nice and straight. Wipe off extra glue and tuck under loose ends so it looks neat. I lined up the trim ends with the vertical seam that ran down the back of the shade. If you practice a little precision workmanship it creates a look of quality!

Inexpensive does not mean it has to look cheap or sloppy!

To string the beads: Use two strands of plastic thread (for strength) when stringing the beads. You want them to looked relaxed when you drape them so don't make them overly taut. Play around with the length, by holding them up to the fixture. Once you decide on a length use that as a pattern for the rest.

To make the hanging drops: I put together different sizes of larger beads to make hanging drop groupings. I could not find inexpensive pendants so came up with this look instead.

Hey, if I wanted to spend a lot of money I would have bought a new light fixture!

I used a drill with a small bit to make holes in the metal so I could attach the strands of beads.

VERY IMPORTANT: I did not drill into any area near where the wiring was. Be sure you don't drill into the wiring. If unsure turn off the power and take the chandelier down to work on it.

Practice Safety!

I played around with the beads until I got something that pleased me and looked balance. I used a photo of a expensive chandelier as a guide.

I used buttons to hold the strand of beads in place. I threaded the strands of beads through the holes I pre-drilled. I then ran the thread through the buttons and tied them securely in place. You don't see the buttons on my chandelier because there is a lip on the edge that hides them.

Tip: I placed a thick blanket over my dining room table to protect it in case I dropped anything while working.

Good Luck, if you try your own makeover let me know!

Here are a few other ideas you could use:

Paint or decoupage the inside of the shade.

Use a stencil on the outside of the shade, maybe a monogram or fleur di lis.

Cover the outside of the shade with fabric before adding trims.

Posted at The Shabby Chic Cottage , Second Time Around , Reinvented. & Between Naps on the Porch.