Happy Thursday, Everyone. I feel like it has been a long day and it’s only 5:00! It’s been a busy day for me, the radon folks and our handyman, Justin. I had lots to do in order to prep for their arrival but now the radon remediation system is in, and the chandeliers installed!
I’ve been working on a few chandelier make-overs the last few weeks. As you know, I’m replacing several of my favorite fixtures in our PA house so we can take them with us. Long story, short, Justin came bright and early this morning to switch out the fixtures for me. He switched out 5 lights in a matter of just a few hours! And he had his work cut out for him. For instance, I handed him this:
And he hung it, I added the crystals and just like magic, a sparkly little closet charmer.
Isn’t it sweet? The best part is when I hand something like this to Justin, he doesn’t bat an eyelash. It’s like he doesn’t think it odd at all to hang a crystal chandelier in a closet. Or hang a chandelier from a precariously high ceiling. Or somehow fit an antique brass faucet in a new sink. Or take out yucky medicine cabinets and install mirrors. I hope I can find a North Carolina Justin…If you are looking for our local Justin, you can contact him at Justin Time Handyman.
Upon closer inspection I see I should have put in new light bulbs or at least cleaned the old ones. Oh, well. They work.
And a few others he switched out today. Justin took down the whopping crystal chandelier in the dining room that I couldn’t bear to leave and put this one it its place. The size is similar to the old one and I am digging the fun beads and amber crystals. I’m sort of sad to leave this one.
And a close up of the beads. I love how they criss-cross at the bottom. The ring clips were a bear to work with but once they are in place they stay put.
Such a unique fixture. It’s one of the things I love about it.
If you recall, this is how the chandelier came to me. (on the left) I gave it a good coat or two of black satin spray paint then dry brushed it with rub ‘n buff in antique gold.
You can see the rich gold of the rub ‘n buff. I swear, this one tiny tube goes a LONG way! I still have some left.
Then Justin switched out the antique chandelier in the powder room with one I revamped from Lowe’s. On the left you can see how I bought the fixture. It was polished chrome and had some nice crystals. Since the powder room has a gold mirror and accents, I thought the fixture should be gold to match. So, I rubbed antique gold paint (rub ‘n buff again) on the metal parts. I added some glass chain garland for a little extra sparkle. I like it! And because the new fixture has 3 lights instead of 1, the room is much brighter.
I bought this beauty from a Habitat for Humanity Restore in NC. I hauled it back to PA, painted it Heirloom White and Justin hung it for me today. It replaces my antique white crystal chandelier. I think it is a great substitute! It’s very ornate and heavy and fills the space nicely.
This chandelier I also found at Habitat. A fresh coat of paint and it looks right at home in the craft area in our master bedroom. Again, look at the pretty carved details. I think some strategically placed crystals would look lovely, but alas, my budget on these babies is blown. Remember Loafi? (Living on a fixed income) He would not approve of any further improvements. So, this is how they will remain.
All in all, not bad for replacement chandeliers. I could have just replaced them with builder’s grade fixtures. But as you know, most are horrible. Instead, I wanted to leave some unique and pretty fixtures. Now they are truly “Dell-Originals”. I doubt you’ll find one just like them. I hope the future homeowners will enjoy them.
Well, off to book club. We will discuss Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. And I’m proud to say I actually read the book this time! Have a lovely evening! xoxo Dell & Lacey (not going to book club)
