I managed to get a project done the week before I started working. Here’s another fairly ugly, standard builder’s brass light fixture in the breakfast area. Since it’s not in the budget to replace it anytime soon, I figured I might as well bronze it. I got this project finished the week before I went back to work. It was nice to get that out of the way.
So, I took it down, went outside & sprayed it all over with white primer.
I missed taking a pic of the black spray, but next came a coat of Satin spray paint in black, to cover all the white primer. Tape off electrical parts first. 
Beginning coat of the Burnt Sienna & Bronze craft paints.
Here they are all ready to spread on with the damp sea sponge. You just daub & then wipe off the excess with an old rag.
And, here’s the finished project! I think it looks SO much better & adds to the touches of black I have in the kitchen. And, it was just the cost of a can of spray paint! How’s that for cheap & easy? I’d still like to do the diningroom fixture too, but my hubby wants me to leave it alone. So, I pick my battles…I told him I’ll leave it for now, but hehhh-hehhh, I’ll deal with it later, either with a new fixture eventually or painting it. You know we eventually win!
Now, get out there & paint some brass for me! This is really an easy way to update those old fixtures if you really don’t want to buy new ones right away.
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job on the chandelier! It looks so much better. I need to get up the nerve to refinish something like this.
Love it, Rhoda! Magic with just paint……..can’t beat that!
bonnie
You are the QUEEN of refinishing! Just wonderful! Love it!
xo,
Kim
What a difference the paint made. Your chandelier went from okay to unique and special.
Now you said you were going back to work & wouldn’t have time to blog as much! WOMAN….you are still busy as ever! Wish I had your talent!
Great job on the chandelier. I love how it turned out- sometimes brass is just too flashy for me. Our dining room chandelier is brass, and this would be a nice project for us, too. Thanks for the inspiration!
How do you keep yourself so busy? You’re always doing something. LOL! I shouldn’t be talking because I too keep myslef pretty busy with kiddos and decorating. Love how it turned out. Happy Decorating!
I’m gonna hit the Goodwill for a brass lamp to ‘play’ with!
It’s amazing what can be done to remake something.
Looks great!
I just caught myself with my mouth literally hanging open!! I’ve painted light fixtures before, but never with this success!! It looks like you bought it factory finished from a lighting manufacturer! Brilliant!!
You are a decorating diva, for sure!!!
My hat’s off to you,
Linda
The light fixture looks really great….
I plan to paint something this week….
Please keep blogging!!!!!!!Betty
Holy Cow. That’s all you have to do. I never knew you used regular craft paint! Does the bronze colored paint have a shine to it? I still don’t think I could make mine look as good as yours. You are good!
You are fabulous! So that is that chandelier. Amazing what a bottle of paint and so know how can do to alter something huh?!
Have a wonderful day.
Sandy
It looks so great!! Good job!
I did that with my two chandeliers. Only I did it with the rust process.
They look so much better than shiney brass.
Give it a couple of months, and your husband will forget about it. Then you can do the next one.
Have a great day!
Even after doing this a dozen or more times, I love seeing the big change!
I’m putting my bet on your having a bit of change with the DR one, too. Sooner or later.
Donna
It really does look so much better! How’s your door handle holding up. I’ve been thinking of painting mine and was just wondering if your still happy with it.
Manuela
I always love seeing what you’ve painted, Rhoda. Another wonderful redo!
Awesome!!! Thanks for the inspiration as I REALLY need to do this.
Oh my goodness I am fixing to do the same with a free chandelier I aquired from my brother-in-law.
I just love visiting your site, you have so many great ideas and creations.
Thanks,
Blanca
What a huge difference. When I scrolled back up to look at the original it just looked so much cheaper looking compared to what it looks like now! Great job!
This is a fun project, I’ve enjoyed doing a time or two, thanks to Rhoda’s instructions! I too, see that dining room chandy being Rhoda-ized soon!
Looks wonderful, Rhoda!
Pat
Thank you all for stopping by! I really hope some of you will try this..it truly is easy & it’s just paint. Can’t get any easier than that.
Blanca, I looked for your blog by clicking on your name, but don’t see it. Do you have a blog??
I really love reading every comment, so I so appreciate you all taking the time to stop by & leave me a note! Hope ya’ll have a great week.
xo,
Rhoda
Great improvement! You go girl!
Hope you’re still enjoying your job.
Hugs!
Kat
Love it! You did a great job!
I just found your page a few days ago. I love you page and your home. the light looks AWSOME. i can tell your a Little woman with lots of guts1 hehe.Keep up the great work.
This looks awesome. I just painted a brass one black but I may just go back and add the bronze. It looks very rich.
Blessings
That is AMAZING!!!
I had a hanging light in the dining room that could use this treatment!
WoW!!!!!
Looks great! I remember in my old house I did this with one of mine but I didn’t take it down..gosh it was a nightmare but ended up looking o.k. It would have been easier if I had taken it down. I’ll know next time.
It’s amazing what a little imagination and paint will do. Great job!
You’ve done it again! You are just amazing and quite an inspiration to me! Looks 100 times better!
You are the Queen of home fix up/pretty up! I bow to you dear Rhoda!
LOVE it!
Hugs,
Sue
You’ve given my inspiration! I’ve got an old crystal chandler picked up on the side of the road I’ve been meaning to spiff up for some time.
That looks so great!!!! I am impressed!!
Uh, I was going to ask if you’d come over and help me paint some of our “old” “retro” lights!
Please?
Love the photos.
Sandy
Can you come live with me and redo my house? This is awesome! You and my mother would get along fabulously!
Wow, Rhoda! I so agree with all the gals here . . . what an awesome transformation! Like others, I scrolled back up to see it again after I read through. Simple, and amazing. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you have started a refinishing revolution here!
Loved your comments on your visit the other day. My bike does take me to some wonderful places. Could tell you loved the outdoors, too, when I saw your AL countryside photos! Are we all blessed, or what?! Hugs.
Wow! That really turned out nice Rhoda. You’ve been a busy girl! Hope the new job is going well too!
The million dollar look for a buck!!!
Go girl
Oh…p.s. take a peek at
http://stuffintheburbs.blogspot.com
Hi Rhoda
What a transformation. It looks terrific!
Marie x
I love this. In fact, I did a little painting yesterday using your ideas. I shared a little on my blog. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Glad to know your new job is going well.
I’m laughing over “we always win”…that seems to be pretty true!!
That fixture looks marvelous, what a difference! You are so good at that, Rhoda…
Rhoda- Nobody does the faux finish quite like you. It looks great!
Thank you for posting pictures of the paint. I had been looking for it since you posted the lamps. Now I know what I need and exactly what it looks like. I also know where to find it.
I have a question?? I have two chandeliers that I want to paint as well. The cords and the metal hooks or whatever the cord is wraped around in is brass colored too. Did you paint thoes too? Or did you leave them the original color, and if so hows does that look with the newly painted chandelier?
ooooh, this SO needs to be done on our dinning table light!
I love everything you do and you have a great decoration ideas. Please give me some help with my kitchen and dining room projects. My kitchen has pretty dark wood cabinets rubbed bronze hardware that I love, my counter tops are busy, beige, chocolate brown and splashes of black, black and stainless appliances, neutral tile floors. Do I paint this kitchen Tuscan copper which is pretty or do I paint it golden yellow, or do I do a blue what blue color? The dining room has black furniture good lighting in there, do I do the room the same as the kitchen there is a half wall between the two, it is a 35 year old house, I like Tuscan and Country themes but need help with paint and accessories to make it pop. Your favorite fan always.
Preacherswife 428
Could someeone please tell me what color the paint is in the living room it looks like and the brand? It seems to be an olive color and i would LOVE this color for my bathroom. This is my new favorite site and you have motivated me to try to paint some furniture!!!!!
Hi, Lindsey, thanks for stopping by! THat is my old kitchen and the paint color is Laura Ashley Olive 4 from Lowes. It should still be available.
I am new to the owning a house thing, and you are awesome to watch. I stumbled upon this website. I have a few questiosn for you regarding painting furniture. It does appear that you do not always follow the same technique (sometimes you use liquid sander, sometimes you use primer, sometimes you use spray paint and sometimes you use regular paint). Do you have a ryme or reason for using one versus the other?