Bless'er House

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise / Privacy Policy
  • Projects
    • Room Reveals
    • Budget Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Organizing
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Seasonal
  • Tour Our Home
    • Our Current House
    • Our First House
  • Shop Our House
    • Shop Our Current House
    • Shop Our First House
  • Shop Bless’er House
    • Shop Our Instagram
    • Shop BH Style
    • How to Install Lightroom Presets
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

DIY French Sconce from 80s Brass

July 10, 2018 ~ 33 Comments

Sharing is caring!

1339shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

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.

80s brass sconce makeover

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.

Dark charcoal dining room with woods and whites

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)

Chalk painted 80s brass to look like an antique French sconce

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.

beads for French sconce

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.)

DIY chandelier beads for French sconce

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!

DIY French sconce using 80s brass and chalk paint

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.

DIY French sconce from 80s brass fixtures

They added the perfect subtle detail to the walls on either side of our dining room window.

Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal dining room with French sconce

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.

Charcoal and white dining room

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

 

If you want to save this post for later, you can pin it here:

How to turn a dated brass piece into a Restoration Hardware-inspired French sconce using paint samples and jewelry beads. #frenchsconce #sconce #walldecor

Related

Filed Under: Craigslist/Thrifting, Lighting, Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Tagged With: Craigslist/Thrifting, Lighting, Trash to Treasure Tuesday

« Memory Foam Layered Kitchen Rug and Tile Grout Refresh
How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger »

Comments

  1. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says

    July 10, 2018 at 6:15 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Thanks, Larissa! Off to check out yours!

      Reply
  2. Sue says

    July 10, 2018 at 8:25 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:43 am

      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.

      Reply
  3. Amber says

    July 10, 2018 at 8:30 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:44 am

      Yes! I saw them when I was in Waco in March. Couldn’t believe the price tag!

      Reply
  4. Joy von Glueck says

    July 10, 2018 at 8:31 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:46 am

      I guess because it’s just fun. 🙂 The curiosity to always wonder what it would look like.

      Reply
  5. Marty Oravetz says

    July 10, 2018 at 9:25 am

    These look amazing. I wouldn’t have thought to paint them white. Great makeover

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:47 am

      Thanks, Marty! It was fun 🙂

      Reply
  6. Christy says

    July 10, 2018 at 9:25 am

    These are so pretty, Lauren! I agree with Sue above…I would paint your chandelier the same way! XO

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 9:47 am

      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!

      Reply
  7. Deb says

    July 10, 2018 at 9:56 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:14 am

      Thank you, Deb! You are TOO sweet!

      Reply
  8. shelley says

    July 10, 2018 at 10:51 am

    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….)

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:14 am

      Yes! Chalk paint will work too. I just happened to already have the mineral paint in my stash.

      Reply
  9. Tracey says

    July 10, 2018 at 10:51 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:14 am

      Glad it could help! I might be busting out some paint on one or both of the chandeliers soon. 😉

      Reply
  10. ANNE SMALL says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:04 am

    The sconces look great, Lauren. Why not do the chandelier to match?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:15 am

      Seriously thinking about it!

      Reply
  11. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:31 am

    I love how these turned out!! I also think you should paint the chandelier the same! xoxo

    Reply
  12. Michele says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:40 am

    This looks great! What color is on the walls in your dining room? Thinking of doing the same thing in mine. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 11, 2018 at 8:14 am

      Hi Michele, It is Kendall Charcoal Benjamin Moore Aura in eggshell.

      Reply
  13. Rose says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:42 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 11, 2018 at 8:01 am

      Your welcome!

      Reply
  14. Sheryl says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:47 am

    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.

    Reply
  15. Cheryl says

    July 10, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    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?

    Reply
  16. KIM says

    July 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    THE SCONCES TURNED OUT SO GREAT! LOVE THAT YOU TOOK SOMETHING SO ORDINARY AND MADE THEM SPECIAL.

    Reply
  17. Nancy Walden says

    July 10, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    I love them!!! . I’ve been thinking about updating my brass living room lamps. and I like this color combo. Something to think about!

    Reply
  18. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    July 10, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    These turned out gorgeous, Lauren! This was a popular T2T day for dry brushing, ha!

    Reply
  19. Naomi S says

    July 10, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    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!

    Reply
  20. MJ says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
  21. Ivory says

    July 12, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    Absolutely fabulous! An ugly duckling turned into a swan.

    Reply

Tell me what ya think! I read every comment I receive. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

We’re Robert and Lauren, a DIY-loving duo just fighting the good fight in making our house a home one renovation and thrifted decorating adventure at a time. Home wasn’t built in a day, but the journey is half the fun. We’re so glad to have you here, and we hope you feel inspired to love the home you have.

Subscribe

Pin With Me

  • Home Office Ideas
  • A round-up of 20 of the best DIY wall decor ideas plus tutorials and tips to pull off the look easily and get the designer look for less.
  • How to paint a sink, countertop, tub, and shower for $100 and how to make it last using Rustoleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit #bathroom #bathroommakeover #diyproject #homeimprovement #paintedsink #paintedcountertop #paintedtub #paintedshower
  • A guide for the best sizes of rugs for different rooms, the best rug materials for different uses, and ways to pair them in open floor plans.
  • Learn to how to make hobnail Easter eggs inspired by vintage McCoy Pottery and hobnail art glass and milk glass. Paint the eggs in pastel colors and display them alongside your favorite vintage collections.
  • A round-up of over 50 beautiful coffee table books filled with inspiration from art, travel, design, music, history, fashion, and more.

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Read our privacy policy and disclosures →

Privacy Policy

browse by category

browse by date

Copyright © 2021 Bless'er House. Web Design by Viva la Violet.