One Room Challenge Week 4 - Brass & Glass Pagoda Chandelier Makeover

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Okay so I missed posting my progress last week.  Rest assured that even though I didn't get a chance to post everything that went down over here, I have been making sweet progress in my living room/dining room makeovers. That DOES NOT mean that I still don't have major concerns about getting the room to full completion on time.  I'm at the mercy of my upholsterer for a few things and he's pretty covered up right now.

In any case I'm going to put my worries aside and share a little progress I've made in the dining room.  And there's a DIY involved that meets two major requirements.  It's quick and easy.

So I have your attention now?  Meet my circa 1970 something brass and glass chandelier that was practically free at my Habitat for Humanity store.

I'm sure it's no secret why I was drawn to this fixture. (Hint: It starts with a "p" and rhymes with "lagoda.")  Of course I love that! But what I wasn't crazy about was the highly lacquered brass finish. I wanted something warmer and softer, but still gold.

I'm sure you already know where we're going with this.
After removing the glass I quickly and not so carefully applied rub n buff to all brass parts that I could see well enough without my reading glasses on.


I'll give you that the change at this point is subtle.  But we're not done yet. I thought it might be fun to update the glass by doing an antique mirror finish on the glass panels.  I've seen a number of tutorials on Pinterest and then again on Little Green Notebook.  

So I laid the glass panels face side down on a tarp and sprinkled them with a mixture of water and vinegar.  I didn't measure how much of each.

Then I sprayed them with this stuff (found on the shelves of my local Wal-Mart)




See how the vinegar/water solution lays on top of the glass?  Just grab a paper towel and blot/lightly wipe it off. 


As a final step I  sprayed on a coat of black to "age" those bare spots.

And then it was just a matter of reassembling the chandelier.


And all put back together and lit up.

Told you it was quick and easy!!

Thanks for checking in on my progress! 

And 2 weeks to go!! Yikes! (x 2)

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to discover the joy of living in a well designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com







38 comments:

Thehouseofhampton said...

You've got my head spinning with ideas! I'm all over the paint color you selected, and now with your new lighting I can see where this going. I'm on board...
Digging it!
Sharon

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Kim, I LOVE the softer gold finish and LOVE LOVE LOVE the mercury glass in this light fixture!!! Such a pretty combination!! It looks absolutely fantastic. I made DIY mercury glass for my bar cart and it is such a fun little project isn't it?

My Notting Hill said...

Fantastic! Love that rub n' buff and the antiquing worked out beautifully.

Unknown said...

Fantastic Kim- LOVE LOVE the mirrored glass affect- youre so clever AND talented! xo Nancy

charmaine said...

What a difference! Love it!

pam {simple details} said...

You are brilliant, my friend!! That is an impressive DIY, it looks so high-end!!

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Yikes is right! Cool DIY. I love the fixture and that is was thrifted.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

That's fantastic! I can't believe the difference! You are a smart cookie!!!

House of Pemberley said...

Genius. Woah. Love it.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Oh these baths are so, so classic, clean and fabulous!!! These images prove that you don't have to "overdo" to achieve a bath with class!

Karena said...

Kim which shade of Rub and Buff did you use, it is perfect!

xoxo Karena
The Arts by Karena

Price Style & Design said...

Wow you scored on that light fixture! It looks great with your updates! Cheers!

Rachel Bauer said...

The chandelier transformation is beautiful. Is it really that easy to antique mirror glass? Love it!

Julie said...

That looks amazing! Great job!

Heather Peterson said...

WHAT a transformation! Love it!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic update to a fixture that was definitely looking a bit tired, LOVE!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

I love the transformation!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Only you would think of this, Kim! It looks amazing! Great job!
Teresa
xoxo

Holly Gruszka said...

What were your thoughts on the RNB going on the brass? I wasn't crazy how it looked for my fixture at the upcycle challenge but maybe I didn't use enough? My light ended up looking streak-y if that makes sense. Yours looks great. Gotta love a cheap but major impact/pretty light fixture.

aquahaus said...

That is freaking cool!!

My Interior Life said...

You are a genius!! I love that Looking Glass spray and used it on the glass of a cabinet. However, I wasn't cool enough to do the aged mirror thing. I had the hardest time finding that spray a while back - sounds like it's at least a little easier to come by now. Awesome job, Kim! Can't wait to see the rest!

Unknown said...

OMG this looks ridiculously stunning...I just love it!! Can't wait to see the rest!

Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com said...

The gold finish is fabulous so glad you shared I need to use it on some upcoming projects- LOVING it!

kayce hughes said...

LOVE!

Kim said...

Fantastic update on the glass and the light! Love where your room is headed and happy to know I wasn't the only one who skipped a week!! We can DO this!!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

What?! Thats a GREAT redo on the light!! I would have never thought to do all that and it's gorgeous. i thought I was loosing my mind that I didn't see you last week -- thank heavens I'm not quite as nuts as I thought. Welcome back!!

Vel Criste said...

Love it Kim!!I love the chancy even before the update but oh my, you made it look even more chic!!!! Fabulous job!

Krista @ Goodwill Glam said...

Love, Love, LOVE it!!!! I've been searching for a pagoda light for what seems like forever! Love what you did with it!

XO,
Krista
www.goodwillglam.com

Andrea said...

Oh, wow!!! That chandelier is AMAZING, what a find! I had no idea there was such a thing as mirror paint, so good to know!

XOXO,
The Glam Pad

Wendy C said...

Don't you love it when a good plan comes together!

Beth of designPOST Interiors said...

Well that's just gorgeous! Once again motivation to hit my ReStore!

taylor greenwalt said...

That came out great! I'm going to have to look into mirror paint...

Mary Ann Pickett said...

This looks like such an expensive, custom fixture now!!! And so tasteful and elegant. I cannot wait to see more. Have a wonderful weekend.

Kris @ Driven by Décor said...

Such a cool transformation of the light fixture! Glad to hear that things are moving right along for you! Have a great weekend!

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I love how this turned out, Kim. It's great and the best part is that you did not measure the vinegar, just went for it.

kate@willowinteriors said...

Oh my gosh, that brass and the glass treatment u did is unbelievable;E! Love!

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Wow, you made such a big difference. It turned out great!

Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home said...

whoa. amazing! i love this