Saturday, January 10, 2009

Let There be Light!







I have finally finished my dining room chandelier. I wanted a large crystal chandelier but after looking at them for a longtime I just couldn't afford to put out $500 plus. I just had too many other places to use my money.


I went to e-bay and kept looking at the offerings there. I finally found this chandelier. It was
brass and very colonial looking but the price was right. Just $25.00 plus shipping. I painted it white, took the big colonial looking ball off the bottom and then looked for crystals. I found a
combination of old and new crystals, again from e-bay. I also added a fair amount of the crystals from my finds from the Michael's wedding section (like on my kitchen chandelier.)


Additionally, I added shades to all the lights. I got some basic shades from Lowe's and even at
3.00 for each shade, it added up. I didn't like them plain so I covered them with cream colored
lace cut from the edge of lace that I have in my bedroom. My Mom originally had this fabric in her bedroom in a previous bedroom and when she moved from there, there was enough for her to use as well as me. It is a beautiful creme lace that is embroidered panels with a sheer netting in the middle. She bought it at a mill ends place in Arizona for just $5.00 a yard.


I glued the fabric to the shades and added a trim to the top edge. Then to bring the blue up to it
I added a gauzy blue wired ribbon. I think it turned out lovely and the lace really shows up beautifully when the light is t urned on. I put 25watt bulbs in all the lower 8 bulbs and 40 watt in the top 4 that way it doesn't look like I am setting the room on fire. It also has a rheostat to softenwhen needed.


It took me a while to get all the shades covered but now I love the look and the total cost was about $200.00. I think it lends some presence to the dining room.









25 comments:

Candy said...

Beautiful job, I am sure you will enjoy a little smile every time you pass by.
You are just down the street. We, husband, son, me were just in San Antonio in Dec. The River Walk is an annual voyage me make every year. I am having a hoot of a time with this new adventure--blogging!
Blessings,
Candy

Maisy said...

OMG!! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!
That has to be one of the prettiest chandeliers i have ever seen!
Way to go!!!!!
Wish I had an eye to do stuff like that!! AMAZING!!!

Mary said...

I love it! So romantic!!! I'm sure your enjoying your dinners even more under this gorgeous chandelier. I'm so impressed by your creativity...I would have loved to have seen the before picture.

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

I love chandeliers so much, I have them in all the rooms. In fact I have a extra one, and I'm not sure where to put it yet..You did a fabulous job on yours, and the lampshades are just lovely.

Glimpse of My World said...

I love it .. we should go chandelier junking! I will take you to my favorite places! It is fabulous! I love it..
Happiness to ya!
PS.. I posted the new master bath photo's today!

Anonymous said...

it is gorgeous, and so much more fun than buying a terrible expensive one without some personal touches....

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Wow what a deal and it looks so beautiful~great idea about the light bulbs too(; Love the shades!
Hugs~Kelly

Penny Sue said...

Dear Miss Sandy,

It's gorgeous. Normally I don't like to see chandeliers with shades over the light bulbs, but your personal touch looks so good, and really dresses up the entire look of the lamp.

Hey, could you post a pic of it with the lights on at night? I'd love to see the shades with the light shining through.

Good job girlfriend,
Hugs,
Penny Suzie

Unknown said...

Your chandelier is beautiful! You did a wonderful job of putting it all together. Esther

Jean Tuthill said...

Oh Sandy, the chandlier is just beautiful. It is perfect for your home, so romantic and feminine. I love how you fashioned it and saved so much money on it.

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Hi Sandy,
I have thought about the doors on the tv cabinet and I think that is a great idea!
Hugs~Kelly

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

I loved browsing through your blog. What beautiful photos you have! Very nice.
Nancy
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com

Sharon~heartsongs said...

That turned out great. Good job.

Penny Sue said...

Dear Miss Sandy,

Thank you so much for the kind health hints. I really haven't felt like eating much. But I am pushing the fluids. No dehydration here. I'm feeling better today...

Thanks for caring...
Hugs,
Penny Sue

Penny Sue said...

Duh, I also wanted to let you know I scrolled down and enlarged the pic of your chandelier, and you're right, the lace on the shades looks so pretty with the pattern showing up with the light behind it. Perfect! And so creative... and one of a kind.

Now, I'm done, I think... :)
Hugs,
Penny Sue

Neabear said...

You did a great job on this. Very creative! I love it.

the wild raspberry said...

what an absolutely breathtaking chandelier. i love it.

Cindy said...

It's beautiful! I love the shades!

One Shabby Old House said...

You did a wonderful job. That chandelier is just beautiful.
Becky

Anonymous said...

Your chandelier is such an inspiration. We have a huge, ugly one and I can't afford a crystal one right now. I think that our brass one is going to get a coat of white paint and some little shades and crystals.

Anonymous said...

I love this! How pretty and dainty this looks :)
Thanks for sharing.

suzanne said...

What a gorgeous chandelier. I love chandeliers and have them everywhere. You were very creative to use that lovely lace and ribbon. I may try that sometime. i love it.....
suzanne

Kim's Cottage said...

Oh my gosh! It is show-stopping! Simply stunning! You did an OUTSTANDING job on it! And, wow, 12 lights?! That's quite a large chandelier. You lucky duck!


K-

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

That is a magical transformation!!!

joyh82 said...

I just love how you redid your chandelier and the shades! It turned out beautiful.