Chandelier Update

Many of you may recognize this chandelier from a previous post.  It has become one of my favorite elements in my house for accessorizing.  As you can tell, the blue burlap ribbon that I had been using as a shade, had become tired.  I wanted some refreshment without a lot of fuss.  I happened upon these mini clothes pins at a local grocery store and my idea was born!  Book pages have become a hot accoutrement in DIY projects recently, so why not.  A thrift store book with interesting pictures and quotes...  Voila!  A whole new look for 5 dollars; perfect for ushering in Autumn.

A "Cool" Restyled Fan

Sometimes all you need to make your space a little more great is some spray paint. This fan had seen better days and with spring and summer just around the corner, I was dreading bringing it back out, displaying front and center on my night stand. BUT with a little spray paint, this fan has been restyled and classed up, making it a great addition instead of an eye sore.

-B.Petersen

The 80's Can Still Have Luxury

If you ever had the luxury of living in the 80's, you've probably seen... or had, a lovely geometric chandelier, in brass, with tinted, beveled glass.  I know I did.  Just when I thought that natural selection had taken care of all of the aforementioned lighting fixtures... The previous owner of my house had so generously preserved the last of the 80's dynasty.  This chandelier owes it's life to an issue of "House Beautiful" magazine. 

 

 Just as it was headed to the local donation center, I happened across a spread in the magazine that showed a living room with a beautiful fixture in wrought iron, with... the same shape, just no beveled glass; this one was $1300.  I promptly pardoned the chandelier from death row with the hope of re-purposing it in my dining room.  I broke the tinted glass out of the frame.  When I was through with that therapeutic process, I taped off the sockets and sprayed the whole thing in a satin finish, fiery orange.  In order to fit the fixture in my dining room I had to add a length of cord and chain.  Once the fixture was installed, I wrapped a natural burlap ribbon around the cord to hide the mismatched cord and chain, from the extension process.  To remedy the issue of 8 blaring light bulbs, blue burlap ribbon was affixed in a band around the chandelier, creating a shade. 

 Total project time:...  about 3 hours. 

 Total cost.:.. free ninety nine!!! Well, I spent $15 on paint, hardware, ribbon and light bulbs (the light bulb were the most expensive part).

Restyled Rocking Chair

This project began with a thrift store rocking chair.  I forgot to take before pics due to my overwhelming excitement... eek!!!  Let me set the stage: sturdy but ugly.  This rocking chair was 80's grandmother at it's best.  The seat was blue/gray. The natural stained pine was covered in tacky peach, blue and tan, flower decals. YUCK.  After a light sanding, white spray primer was applied. I followed by adding a yellow, quick drying, gloss spray paint.  The seat was recovered in a cream cable-knit sweater from the thrift store.  The sweater was wrapped around the seat, stapled, and the excess was trimmed away. 

Project time: From start to finish- 3 hours( most of which was waiting for the primer and paint to dry.)
-B.Ballard