I can never leave well enough alone. That’s the gist of this post.
Remember the other day when I couldn’t leave our white plastic mirrors alone? And I prettyfied them with Rub ‘n Buff? I couldn’t help it with this one. I really couldn’t. Because now I must Rub ‘n Buff all the things!
And this time, the victim was our new light fixture for our foyer. Yes, new. Who buys a new light fixture and then paints it? This girl, apparently.
The last time I showed y’all a glimpse of our freshly painted foyer, it was rockin’ this old chandelier.
It’s so beautiful but I just wasn’t feeling it for our style. I blame the dainty porcelain floral tea set feel it had to it, but there was no WAY I was going to do any sort of DIY makeover to it. That’s blasphemy to antique lovers everywhere. So that beauty is getting sold to someone else who will appreciate it more.
I had no idea what I wanted to replace it with, until I spotted this antique gold frosted crystal chandelier recently at Pottery Barn and instantly knew I wanted a semi-flush mount version just like it… only for maybe $250 less.
So I found this cheaper black and glass version for about $100 on Amazon, and as soon as it arrived, I busted out the painting supplies.
Semi-DIY Antique Gold Frosted Crystal Light Fixture:
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience.)
- Crystal basket light fixture
- Rub ‘n Buff in Antique Gold
- Krylon Sea Glass Spray Paint in Gray
- Plastic drop cloth
- Artist brush
This is what the fixture looked like before. I really could have hung it up with the black and clear crystal and it would have still been gorgeous, but the idea of antique gold was too fun to pass up.
I used the same tube of Rub ‘n Buff I had leftover from our mirrors I painted because a little goes a long way with this stuff.
It took me all of 10 minutes to rub it all over the black metal using just my fingertips.
And for any of the small, hard to reach details, I used an artist brush.
Since I wanted to antique the crystals, I laid them all out on a plastic drop cloth in our garage. I would never do this to expensive crystals, but since these are technically just inexpensive glass, I didn’t feel so bad about frosting them.
Krylon makes this beautiful sea glass spray I’d been dying to try (I was really tempted to use the aquamarine green color but decided on the more neutral gray). Just spritz on a coat (on the crystals I sprayed both sides) and glass is aged with this gorgeous sea glass effect. I want to try it out on some random jars and bottles sometime too.
Once everything was dry, we hung it right up. Doesn’t it look so high-end?! The paint cost maybe an extra $10-15? I ended up finding this light almost exactly like it for $240. Mine cost me $120 total. 50% off isn’t too shabby, huh?
So now the foyer is coming right along. It’s still not entirely finished on the staircase, and I might end up painting the pulls on the marble top chest so we don’t have so many mixed metals going on.
Considering, I went into this space without a plan at all, I’m pretty amazed. This is how it used to look, just for comparison’s sake…
See what I mean?! Wowza!
It’s even prettier at night when we have this fixture turned on and the crystals make the light dance all over the walls and ceiling.
Have you had any light fixture makeovers lately at your house? Or painted something brand new? Am I the only crazy one here?
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Ellen says
July 31, 2017 at 8:20 amOh wow, I am loving the transformation in this space! The new fixture is such a beautiful statement piece with its new diy treatment! I’ve been wanting to do something similar in our entryway (we currently have one of those $80 home depot ultra boring chandeliers, woot), so I’m bookmarking this!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:30 pmYay! Hope it comes in handy, Ellen!
Dianne Gingrich says
July 31, 2017 at 8:51 amWow. Love the new look!
Love following you on your journey as you make this house your home.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:29 pmThank you so much, Dianne!
Melissa Sexton says
July 31, 2017 at 9:02 amThe light looks gorgeous! Could you please tell me what color you used on on the top half of the walls in your dining room? I just love the contrast! Thanks:)
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:28 pmThanks! The color is Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal.
Noelle says
July 31, 2017 at 9:32 amCan you please share where the rug is from? Thanks so much!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:27 pmHi Noelle! I got the rug at Target. Here’s the link to it: http://rstyle.me/n/cqypfcb5ky7
Brittany Wise says
July 31, 2017 at 9:32 amOhmigoodness! I was a little nervous when you were spray painting the glass— but I LOVE it! Now I want to paint everything all the sea glass 🙂 🙂
Nancy says
July 31, 2017 at 10:10 amThe chandelier and the space looks wonderful! Love your creativity.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:25 pmThanks, Nancy!
Katie says
July 31, 2017 at 10:23 amLove that spray painted glass! It has such a pretty and unexpected effect! Just curious though – does it affect the amount or the quality of light that you get from the fixture? Sometimes the best part about crystal light fixtures is the light that dances around the room when it’s on. Just wondering how this affects it at all.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 12:25 pmNope! It is still very bright and shines a lot like crystal would. I was nervous about that too at first.
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
July 31, 2017 at 10:41 amLove the light fixture. It looks amazing and the foyer looks amazing too.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:23 pmThank you, Marty!
Peg says
July 31, 2017 at 11:14 amWOW! You never second-guessed yourself and jumped right in!! I’m tearing that page right outta your book!!! LOL xoxo : )
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:19 pmI wasn’t so sure at first but the outcome was a great surprise. 🙂 Thanks, Peg!
Lisa says
July 31, 2017 at 11:23 amGasp! This is gorgeous!!!!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:18 pmThanks, Lisa!
Mary Vitullo says
July 31, 2017 at 11:25 amAmazing makeover, Lauren. Love the gold.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:18 pmThank you, Mary!
Cindy Richter says
July 31, 2017 at 11:35 amHoly Moly, I have to go get me some Rub n Buff! Beautiful and soooo would have never thought to do that. It always seems like so much work but you make it seem so easy! Love it!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:17 pmIt’s addictive! So much fun and has a much more realistic gold/brass look than regular spray paint. This one really was quick. An hour tops and it was done.
Cteachr says
July 31, 2017 at 11:42 amLooks great! I took a brown colonial chandelier and painted it with grey chalk paint. It looks matte and more modern.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:17 pmSounds beautiful!
barbara says
July 31, 2017 at 12:02 pmBeautiful! I wouldn’t have known it was the same fixture.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:16 pmThank you! I couldn’t believe what a difference it made.
Mary Williams says
July 31, 2017 at 1:56 pmLauren, your enthusiasm inspires me to “get my craft on”! I like the silver of your dresser handles. It plays off the crystals and actually defines each piece in their own special way.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:16 pmThanks, Mary! I might leave them. Still on the fence. But with all of the other projects going on around here, the handles are at the bottom of my list. 😉
Dee says
July 31, 2017 at 5:17 pmSo honestly Lauren, I was thinking are you crazy? I thought it was going to look really old fashioned but not in a good way, more of an outdated way, Oh me of little faith! It turned out so amazing and I really think what added to it is the Krylon sea glass! Spraying that over those glass crystals just was magic! You did it again! You are transforming your home so beautifully, and you inspire so much I just have to shake my head in glee!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:14 pmHaha! Thanks, Dee! Honestly, I asked myself if I was a little bit crazy before doing it. 😉
Nicole says
July 31, 2017 at 5:53 pmThis light turned out beautiful! I’m in love and now I need to do this!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:12 pmYay! Thank you, Nicole!
Carrie says
July 31, 2017 at 6:45 pmWow, Lauren that’s an elegant light! I would’ve been nervous doing this but it gives me ideas, thank you! and especially since you still have great light from it being frosted! Now, I’m looking at my lights a lot differently.
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:12 pmThanks, Carrie! I wasn’t 100% sure how it’d turn out but we got lucky with this one. 🙂
Linda says
July 31, 2017 at 7:18 pmThe foyer looks amazing! Love the light fixture!
Lauren says
July 31, 2017 at 9:11 pmThanks, Linda!
Kristine says
July 31, 2017 at 9:56 pmI adore that original fixture and would have keep it as it. I have to say I’m just not on that gold band wagon – just seems like a back to the 80’s thing. It’s creative what you did and I’m glad you got what you wanted for a cheaper cost than the going prices out there. The foyer looks lovely.
Kimberly Beiler says
August 1, 2017 at 7:50 amLove everything you are doing! We just moved into our house and started our modern farmhouse decor transformation too. I live on your site and Instagram. My powder bathroom is waiting for your reveal! Lol!
Michele says
August 1, 2017 at 11:02 amLauren, IMHO your chandelier is much more classy than the Pottery Barn one. You are an inspiration, for sure. Thank you.
Gwen says
August 1, 2017 at 7:14 pmOh wow!!! I have been hmm which word shall I choose?? I’m no longer a skeptic!!! Is that the word? The spelling?? I could not envision your plan but it turned out so well!!! It is just so creative. I’m impressed that you were able to successfully spray the crystals. How is the light that it gives off now that the glass is frosted? Is it bright enough? I am amazed at all your ideas!! Just love your entry.
Melissa says
August 3, 2017 at 9:03 amI love this!!! I did the same thing – bought a new one and immediately painted it. Glad I’m not the only one! You’ve made me want to run out and buy another and add some gold leaf!
Tiffany says
August 3, 2017 at 12:43 pmLove this Lauren! Can you share more of that lemon beauty you have on your door?!
Peggy H. says
August 3, 2017 at 10:03 pmI just ordered the chandelier from Amazon with the rub a dub paint! I have been looking for months for a new chandelier for my bedroom and the minute I saw what you accomplished, I had to order it! Thank you for the inspiration. It’s perfect!!!
[email protected] says
August 4, 2017 at 11:07 amI like it! I think the gold was a good choice…the black of the chandi would have drawn the eye up to it, now it’s a statement without taking center stage in the entry.
Ivory says
August 7, 2017 at 11:34 amYou got it going on. You rocked that space, and the light and chandelier is fabulous. I love your decorative design ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy says
April 12, 2018 at 6:41 amRub n buff says to use on absorbent surfaces. Does is stay on the metal? I bought some and when I read the directions I was afraid it wouldn’t work on metal.