DIY French Sconce from 80s Brass
How to turn a dated brass piece into a Restoration Hardware-inspired French sconce using paint samples and jewelry beads.
Apparently it’s always Opposite Day in my world.
(Did you ever play Opposite Day as a kid? I always argued with my little brother that if it was Opposite Day then it would be the opposite of Opposite Day, which is Not-Opposite Day. Mind blowing philosophy from an 8 year-old, I know.)
Anyways, apparently in my opposite brain, I paint non-brass things to look like brass and brass things to look like something else.
Case and point are these thrifted brass sconces I found last week for $3 each.
I’ve painted a light fixture to look like aged brass, white mirrors to look like aged brass, but when you give me actual aged brass, I go, “Nahhh… paint them different.” Makes total sense.
So for this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday, that’s just what I did. (You can see what my other T2T blogger friends transformed at the bottom of this post too.)
I’d been searching for some pretty French sconces for our blank dining room wall to go on either side of our window, and I thought these $3 ones could really be something.
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below.)
- Brass sconces (If you don’t have any luck in thrift stores, they’re usually all over eBay.)
- White paint (I used a sample of Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk.)
- Gray paint (I used some leftover Fusion Mineral Paint in the color Sterling.)
- Dark wax (I used Annie Sloan Dark Wax.)
- Medium sized artist brush
- Strand of glass teardrop jewelry beads (or these could work even better)
- Fishing line or jewelry wire (if using regular jewelry beads instead of chandelier pendants)
1. I painted the sconces all over first with two coats of the Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk and let dry.
2. To add more depth, I dry-brushed on top of the dried white coat using the Sterling paint. (If you aren’t familiar with dry brushing, just dip the tip of your brush in paint, wipe off any excess on a dry paper towel, and brush the “dry” brush on the sconce. It adds a little aging effect.)
3. Then, to make them look antique, I dry-brushed with the dark wax.
4. Just to add a little extra detail, I cut a strand of glass teardrop beads and painted them individually using the same process I did on the sconces- white, gray dry-brush, dark wax dry-brush. (Or if you wanted the sconce to look more glam, leave them unpainted.)
5. To attach the beads to the arms of the sconce, I threaded the beads with some jewelry wire and tied them onto the sconces. I snipped the excess wire once they were attached.
And ta da!
I already had all of the paint and wax leftover from previous furniture projects, so all I had to pay for were the sconces and glass beads. $8 for antique French inspired sconces isn’t too bad, huh?
They look way more expensive than $8, if you ask me.
They added the perfect subtle detail to the walls on either side of our dining room window.
I still plan on taking down the existing dining room chandelier for something else, but we’ve been rather distracted with the kitchen refresh, living room refresh, and nursery planning lately.
Maybe I should just find a brass one and paint it like the sconces. Ya think? Or maybe stick to aged brass. See? Here I go again.
You can see the rest of this month’s Trash to Treasure transformations below for more thrifty ideas:
(Clockwise from top left):
Prodigal Pieces | Confessions of a Serial DIYer | Girl in the Garage | Artsy Chicks Rule
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I love the way you painted yr. DR walls!
I’ve avoided picking up wall candelabras b/c candles are air polluting, but yours look so good you have me thinking of painting my DR walls and re-doing the next brass set I find–and I’m hoping to move soon, so why bother? B’cause it looks so good!!!! And i don’t have to actually use the candles. Win-win. Thanks for showing the way.
Very nice, Lauren. I now know what I can do with some of the many brass candlesticks I have collected! That, and donate the rest to the thrift store!
These turned out gorgeous, Lauren! This was a popular T2T day for dry brushing, ha!
I love them!!! . I’ve been thinking about updating my brass living room lamps. and I like this color combo. Something to think about!
THE SCONCES TURNED OUT SO GREAT! LOVE THAT YOU TOOK SOMETHING SO ORDINARY AND MADE THEM SPECIAL.
I agree with what others have said. Why don’t you try your technique on a chandelier you already have! Don’t you love it when things all come together to make a cohesive room?
You did a great job on the sconces, Lauren. As to your chandelier, leave it, please! I love how the
darker color picks up the browns in the painting. You don’t want everything so matchy matchy.
Beautiful results! I have some old chandeliers and your post has given me some ideas.
I follow you constantly and at one time, you had a post of how to obtain affordable wall art (as the one you have in the dinning room.
Thank you!
Your welcome!
This looks great! What color is on the walls in your dining room? Thinking of doing the same thing in mine. Thanks!
Hi Michele, It is Kendall Charcoal Benjamin Moore Aura in eggshell.
I love how these turned out!! I also think you should paint the chandelier the same! xoxo
The sconces look great, Lauren. Why not do the chandelier to match?
Seriously thinking about it!
I really like the chandelier in your dining room. I also think it worth a try to paint it the same way, you might really love it. (course I haven’t seen the brass one in your office 🙂
great job on the sconces! I am going to do this with some dark bronze sconces I have now. thanks!
Glad it could help! I might be busting out some paint on one or both of the chandeliers soon. 😉
oh man I love how those turned out!!! never would have occurred to me to diy those!!
think you could use chalk paint on them? or would it have to be mineral paint? (I may have a giant stash of chalk paint lol….)
Yes! Chalk paint will work too. I just happened to already have the mineral paint in my stash.
Can I just just, AMAZING as always, Lauren. I love that you have a vision, and love that you are never hesitant to make it reality, no matter what it is. You are the BEST!!!!! 🙂
Be blessed!
Deb 🙂
Thank you, Deb! You are TOO sweet!
These are so pretty, Lauren! I agree with Sue above…I would paint your chandelier the same way! XO
I have my eye on the brass chandelier in my office to move into here. I has a silhouette that would match the sconces better. If I could just work up the nerve to do it!
These look amazing. I wouldn’t have thought to paint them white. Great makeover
Thanks, Marty! It was fun 🙂
They look Fantastic!!! Wow—I am Just like you-without the talent of course!- Always setting something right and lovely–then, a few months or weeks later, need to change it up again..Will we Ever feel Totally satisfied? Great work-Thank you sooo much for more inspiration!
I guess because it’s just fun. 🙂 The curiosity to always wonder what it would look like.
I have been on the hunt for sconces for our dinning room! I haven’t had any luck yet! Magnolia has ones that I love, but they are 100 dollars a pop. Love how yours turned out!
Yes! I saw them when I was in Waco in March. Couldn’t believe the price tag!
Why don’t you try that technique on the chandelier that’s over your dining table now? I’m going to paint a chandelier I have from the 80’s and hang a garland of wooden beads from the arms.
We have a brass chandelier in my office that I’m tempted to try it on and move it into here (currently my office is a dumping ground and I haven’t really shared it yet). I like the shape of it much better than this one in the dining room. Something about the scrolly metal I’m just not loving.
You are too funny, Lauren! I know what you mean and totally get it. haha! Those sconces were a sweet score and I love how you gave them a fresh “old” look.
Thanks, Larissa! Off to check out yours!