I have long admired lighting from Aidan Gray. The lovely fixtures are often constructed from architectural salvage and feature hand-painted designs and gilded finishes. Here is An Aidan Gray Inspired Chandelier Makeover.
An Aidan Gray Inspired Chandelier Makeover
One of my favorites is the Charlemagne Chandelier. While I would love to have this jewel in my home the $1350.00 price tag is a bit prohibitive.
Our formal dining room had come with a heavy Tuscan inspired wrought iron chandelier.
After living with it for a while we decided we wanted a lighter look as it seemed to command much of the attention in the room.
I spied this chandelier at Cost Plus. It had been an online return to the store and was offered at a deep discount.
I understood why it had been returned. The website shows a very pale grey to a white chandelier. In-person it was a dark taupe.
The Transformation
It first received an all-over application of off-white paint, followed by a light distressing. Mr. Décor and I then hung it over the dining table so that I could decide what to do next.
After a month or so I added a bit of gold wax gilding.
I used a very light hand.
Indeed some areas you can’t tell they are gilded until they softly glimmer in the light.
My photography skills don’t quite do this chandy justice. It is so much prettier in person.
I plan on adding a cord cover in the future and perhaps a wooden or crystal drop on each arm.
Altogether, it was around $80 for this knockoff and I just love it!
Laura
I think it looks beautiful and so similar to one you loved! Great job, Laura!
love and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Oh I love it, so pretty. Adding the crystals will make it really look like your inspiration.
Very pretty makeover!
it looks beautiful
It's beautiful! I love our chandelier – the only ornate lighting fixture we have in our tiny house. It took underwent a makeover when my husband painted it white for me some years back. I've had cord covers on it before but at this time I prefer just the rustic look without.
It's fabulous! And you know what? I wouldn't do another thing to it (as much as I love bling)! It's perfect just the way it is! Great job!
xoKathleen
Very pretty Laura!
I love your new chandy…..especially with her new paint job, looks beautiful….
Adding some bling and a chain cover will dress her up beautifully….
Smiles~
Mari
Seriously Laura, this chandelier is fabulous and it looks like a thousand dollars or more!!
You are incredible!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring Sharon Santoni
It's beautiful and simply elegant~
Oh Laura, you did a beautiful job on the chandy! Gorgeous!
How pretty, Laura! I love how it turned out. I have a fixture that is not far off the look of your old one, but I want to find one I really love to replace it before I ask the hubs to change it out. : )
What a great deal! It looks wonderful.
What a great transformation at a great price!
Lovely find and beautiful transformation, Laura. You have a great eye!
Your chandelier is beautiful! Well done you to recreate such a lovely fixture. 🙂
WOW! Perfect for your space!
Gorgeous!!!!! Great job Laura!
I have the same chandy in my kitchen dining/sitting area. you're right, it showed that it was a light gray, boy was i surprised when it ended up greeny-gray! I love the idea of adding a drop on each arm, that would really dress it up. looks great!
What a lovely chandelier, and don't you love it when you find a look-a-like for an expensive item? Just beautiful. Love, Mimi xxx
The new chandy looks perfectly charming! Much better size and style for your dining room. Well done.
This is so beautiful, and it gave me some great ideas. I really dislike the chandelier in our dining room, and something like this would be perfect. Hope you're having a great week!
Hi Laura, Very pretty! You mentioned adding drops so I thought you might like to see how I made mine using cheap craft pieces. http://www.nominimalisthere.com/2014/10/using-liming-wax-on-metal-and-paint.html
xx,
Sherry
Love-love-love a great deal! It's amazing what a new light fixture can do for a room!
Hi Laura, I have a similar chandelier with the metal leaves but it's dark dark dark like everything else in my new house. What kind of paint did you use? TIA.