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Chandeliers make all the difference

November 21, 2008 By Rhoda 51 Comments

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We’ll be heading home from Florida today, so this is a good time to show the yardsale chandy I found recently. I absolutely love how it looks in the guestroom AND I even found another cute chandy at the Lovelady thriftstore. They operate a thriftstore and I spotted one for $5 that is going to go in the beachy guestroom, so stay tuned for that soon.
I have to confess…I love pretty light fixtures.

From day one of moving in our home, it has been my mission to change out every single stinkin’ builder’s brass light fixture in the house. And I’ve just about succeeded in doing that. Only a couple more to go. I had bought a cute little flushmount fixture at Lowes on clearance for $10 that was originally in this room (it is now in our masterbath water closet). So, when I spotted this cute thing at the yardsale recently (for $10), I wasn’t at all sure where it would go.

I actually left the sale and came back about 30 minutes later, after it dawned on me that I could make it work in the toile bedroom. So, now it’s up…this one really just about kicked my butt and took me forever to get it up there right. I’ve taught myself how to change light fixtures out, but each of them is a little different and sometimes I really have to ponder over it and fight with it. This one was the worst.

Especially when I decided to add the ceiling medallion I picked up years ago at House Parts in Atlanta. I’ve been carrying this around for a long time and finally got it hung. This thing is made out of fiberglass and I had to screw it into the ceiling. Just call me Tim the Toolman, but I’ve really had to learn a lot being a DIYer. It’s on the job training. I had painted the medallion with my Sophisticated Finishes paint in Blackened Bronze and it’s a great match for the chandy. It really is a great look in the room and makes it feel cozy. You can see I did cover the shades with some of my leftover toile fabric and it is just too cute now.
And I adore it. It’s a perfect just-right petite size for the bedroom. I had to twist a few of the links to shorten it a bit too so my guests won’t smack themselves in the head :), but you don’t really see that when you look up at it. Those things are made of iron and would not budge, so that is why the chain is slightly wonky…I’ll live with it

So, there you have it! There was also a bigger traditional shaped bronze chandelier that was just beautiful, for $25…and I don’t have a place for it! I would have snapped that one up too, but you might remember I changed out my diningroom and foyer chandeliers back in January. You can check out the before and afters if you want…here.
I’ve found several of these flushmount fixtures at yardsales and changed out all the hallways..amazing how many of these you need in a house when you start counting them up & I’ve found plenty. Had to paint out a few of them, but they have all worked out well. All for about $5 each.
Another pride and joy yardsale fixture from last year went over the breakfast table. You might remember this one that I was jumping up and down over….for $20.
So, I was in Lowes recently and spotted this really pretty outdoor fixture on deep discount clearance for $20. I had already bought one last year at a yardsale for $3, but this one was so much bigger and prettier, so I upgraded. This sits outside our garage doors. And I sold the old one at my yardsale. The energy saving bulb was already in there, so I left it, even though I don’t like the look of them.

That’s how I like to operate. It might not all be the lighting of my dreams, but I enjoy upgrading those fixtures as time and budget permit. Between yardsales and finding deals at Lowes, I’ve done really good in that department.

How about you…got any fixtures you’re dying to change out? Be sure to check out Lowes from time to time. They really have some good discounts if you catch them in time. I only have a couple more small fixtures to change out and I’m done! New fixtures really make a huge difference.

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas 51 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. salmagundi says

    November 21, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    I’m inspired to change out my fixtures. Love all of yours! Sally

    Reply
  2. justabeachkat says

    November 21, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Wow Rhoda…it looks wonderful!

    Miss Daisy is sure missing you guys!

    Hugs!
    Kat

    Reply
  3. Saucy says

    November 21, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    Light fixtures are like the jewelry/accessories of a room. Sometimes they just need to be changed and the whole outfit (room) looks better! I was dying at first to change out my dining room brass fixture but my gosh it was of such good quality, all it needed was a spray of iron paint and some shades (DH calls them “hats”) and a ceiling medallion. I lurrve the results. I also make little upgrades as my budget allows and I find things on sale – the only way to go! You can see the result at

    http://bloggedy-blog-blog-saucy.blogspot.com/2007/12/post-holiday-post.html

    Reply
  4. Bo says

    November 22, 2008 at 5:54 am

    Ms. Rhoda…you are amazing! Now I love to hunt for a bargain, but never in my wildest dreams thought about installing a bargain. You go girl! Have a jolly weekend! 😉 Bo

    Reply
  5. Mary says

    November 22, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Rhoda, I don’t know what I’m more impressed with…you buys or your handyman skills!
    I love the fixture..nature inspired and oh so pretty. Mary

    Reply
  6. Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says

    November 22, 2008 at 9:17 am

    Absolutely wonderful light fixture. It’s a beautiful bedroom for sure. But, you have wonderful taste and I generally LOVE everything you choose.

    Reply
  7. Sarah @ ThriftyDecorChick says

    November 22, 2008 at 10:04 am

    I love the $20 chandelier, that is gorgeous!! My favorite is the coach light though…what a steal!! I found new CF-type bulbs that are shaped in a long bulb shape — look for them at Lowes.

    Reply
  8. dreams and decor says

    November 22, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    I love reading your blog & getting decorating ideas! You are so talented! Love your chandy and the ceiling medallion, too! I scored a ceiling medallion a few weeks ago for $1.00 at the thrift store & had it out in the garage & last week when I came home for lunch, my darling husband surprised me—he was taking down the dining room chandy & putting it up for me! What a sweetheart! Patti

    Reply
  9. Heather says

    November 22, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    We live in an apartment so I am itching to change out EVERY fixture. I hate apartment grade light fixtures. I am obcessed with chandys………..I would put one in every room! They add so much to a room.
    I can not believe you switch out light fixtures yourself! I have been begging hubby to teach me how but he says he is afraid I will electricute myself. I think he is just afraid of coming home some day to all new fixtures!! LOL!!
    I am having a giveaway so come by and put your name in!
    Have a great weekend!
    Heather:)

    Reply
  10. Susancnw says

    November 24, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    It looks great…but I would like to ask if you made the toile throw in the guest room or buy it.

    Ugly bulbs…yet another reason I won’t buy the CF bulbs…maybe frost the glass on the fixture to hide it a bit? They can trigger migraines so I won’t have them in the house 😀

    Reply
  11. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says

    November 24, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    Hi, Susan, hope you come back to see this, since I can't post to you. I bought that throw & now I can't remember where. It's been at least 6-7 years since I found it.

    Reply
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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 yard sales, 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?

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