Lighting in a home is more than just a way to brighten up a room, its a great way to add interest and a focal point to the room. Often times, we have a light fixture in our homes that is dated in some way. Or, we find a chandelier with great bones and a lot of character at a consignment shop or yard sale, but the color just doesn’t fit our decor. With just a few easy touches, you can transform that light fixture into a beautiful conversation piece.
I personally love chandeliers in just about any room, so I am going to show you how to transform something like this (for sale on Craigslist for just $35)…
Into something like this, with just a few easy steps…
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First row images from Neiman Marcus
Second row images from Kaboodle
Average price of the above designer chandeliers : $250 – $2000
Average price of our Re-Fab Chandelier : Under $50 (If you’re going without the cord cover and crystals, you looking at less than $10!)
Materials :
1. Drop Cloth and hard surface to work on.
2. Krylon Fusion spray paint (bonds to anything).
3. Painters tape (you can pick up at any hardware, home, or paint store)
4. Glass beads (If you want that crystal chandelier look). I found a great selection of colors at Overstock.com and clear crystals at Jo-Ann Fabric
5. Beading Nylon, which you can find at your local craft store
6. Cord cover (if desired). Lamps Plus
Steps:
1. *VERY IMPORTANT* Set up your materials outside or in a well ventilated room.
2. Wipe the chandelier to ensure it is free from any dirt or dust particles.
3. Tape off any areas of the chandelier that you don’t want painted.
4. Use your Krylon spray paint to cover all surfaces (holding the can about 12 inches from the chandelier to avoid drips).
5. Let it dry, then repeat step 4 to add as many coats as desired to achieve the desired coverage.
Continue for beading instructions…
6. While the paint is drying, cut your nylon strings so that it is long enough to make a complete circle around (and hang down below the chandelier as much as desired) the chandelier. For layers of beads, cut the nylon string in varying lengths.
7. Add beads to your pieces of nylon string, in whatever color or pattern you like. Tie the ends together with a string knot. Then seal the knot with either clear nail polish or super glue.
8. Once your paint has dried completely, drape your beads on the chandelier.
If you choose to use a cord cover, attach it and you’re done!!!
Have fun! Please share your finished product with us, we’d love to see it 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
you always have such great advice on doing stuff. i’ll bookmark this so that when i get an actual house i’ll have something to reference too! haha
Thanks Ash!! You can do this in your apartment too, with things you find that you wanna spruce up
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for sharing. I will certainly be coming back to your blog.
Thank you so much. I’m so glad that you liked it. Yes, please do come back!!
tekesia’s last blog post..DC Design House
I was lucky to find your http://www.apartment102.net site.
Oh, this was a really qualitative post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I prolong alot and never seem to get something done.
I know exactly what you mean. There are times that I would get so into a project that I wouldn’t remember my camera until after it was done lol
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