Every time I visit my local Habitat ReStore, there’s always a slew of brass light fixtures. I’ve been without overhead lighting in our home office for a while now, so I went in search of something to make over and came home with this:
I was a little unsure of the style, but the price was right ($85), and I knew I couldn’t afford anything new that was comparable in size (it’s almost 40” tall). Spray paint to the rescue:
What I didn’t consider is what a pain in the neck painting it would be, starting with taping off each individual glass section (inside and out):
(I used Rust-Oleum Metallic Oil-Rubbed Bronze.)
(A paint pen for this part would’ve worked better. . .)
The whole process took me several days and I think I swore I would never do it again. Then, I remembered how much money I saved. Although not the exact style, check out the price tag for this large, painted lantern I found online:
Yep, I’ll take my $85 lantern and a few days of frustration. Although not a perfect paint job, I’m really happy with how it turned out.
My office is really close to being “finished” enough to show you. I promise to work on cleaning up my desk for pictures this week and will post them soon :)
Fabulous makeover!
Oh my word Emily ~ you did a fantastic job!! I would love to try this on our lanterns that are dingy and drab.
xoxo
I love it! You are making me want one! It looks great!
Debbie
I absolutely love this! Looks great! And looking forward to seeing your office :)
Love the new office lantern! Can’t wait to see pics of you office! I’ve been anxiously waiting! ;)
Recently I visited our local Habitat Restore and saw the “graveyard for brass light fixtures!” Your make-over ensures I’ll bring fresh eyes with me the next time I visit! Great job!
Cathy
I think your makeover light is much prettier than the expensive one. Well done!
Wowzer!!! It’s gorgeous. I can’t seem to come across one this pretty at our ReStore, but I’m still keeping my hopes up :)
That looks fantastic! Will definitely be using this idea…maybe I’ll add some wine drinking to the DIY steps to cut down on frustration!
Great job! I love the new look of the old light and what deal!
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! Gorgeous!!!!! I have been wondering about this project of yours, but didn’t want to ask in case you had abandoned it. LOVE the final result. And it’s soooooo much prettier (in my opinion) than the one you compared it to. Awesome, Emily!
Wow! It’s beautiful!! I actually like it better than the expensive one. You inspire me as always!
It’s awesome! I’ve been hoping to find something similar for our entryway. I just bought 2 brass bathroom fixtures there for $4.80 each and I’m going to do the same thing to them.
It looks great Emily! I seriously don’t know how you do it all! Hope you are feeling well :)
I LOVE it!
even if it was a royal pain i think it was totally worth it- it looks amazing!
even if it was a royal pain i think it was totally worth it- it looks amazing!
even if it was a royal pain i think it was totally worth it- it looks amazing!
even if it was a royal pain i think it was totally worth it- it looks amazing!
even if it was a royal pain i think it was totally worth it- it looks amazing!
I know those “never do it again” projects oh too well. But, you’re right, that tiny little price tag sure is enticing. Your light turned out great!
This is fantastic! I see so many of this type at the Restore, but not one as good looking as yours! You inspire me. I started a re-do of a chandelier from there and got stuck, so this is encouraging me!
Nancy
http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/my-first-sofa-reupholster.html
What a fantastic find!! Wonderful job!
Super cute and totally worth the effort in spray painting! Totally an up cycle!
Definitely worth it! Great job!!
Lighting love!! Your effortswere worthit. The result is gorg!!
Thanks for sharing
Maureen
That looks great! I have a huge brass/glass fixture in my 2 story foyer that I would love to update but getting it down is a task in itself.
EMILY – it looks FABULOUS!!!
Bethany
http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/my-first-sofa-reupholster.html
It looks amazing to me! I bet that was a meticulous task with all the taping off- but it was so worth it! The difference in finish makes it look so high end! Great job. I will make sure and come back to see your office- looks beautiful!
I agree with everyone else. Fabulous. I have a question though…did you some how hang it to apply the spray paint? I would love to do this to my dining room fixture but I have no idea where I would paint it…advice would be appreciated!
What a great redo! Showing older fixtures a little love with some paint is a great idea. This would be a great way to keep a kitchen renovation on budget.
fantastic!
I love it! I think your lantern is much prettier – and looks much more expensive – than the expensive one! You’ve inspired me to try to do this without silver ceiling fans!
Ok, you have inspired me to take down my huge brass dining room fixture and get the paint can out and then go to it! Thanks for the push…
At first I thought how it was so 1980’s but you’ve tranformed it into something so current now. Now that’s the way to make lemonade out of lemons!
LOVE it! I can’t wait to see your office reveal!
Love it!. I have to admit I have not bought fixtures with a lot of glass to spray paint because of the taping it would require. But seeing yours, maybe it is worthwhile!
Can’t wait to see the whole office, I am already drooling over your bookcases.
It looks amazing Emily! I dont think I would have had the patience to finish it-the whole taping off each glass panel would have done me in. I cant wait to see the rest of the space!!
Love it! If you never told I don’t think anyone would guess it was such a bargain.
It looks great! Now I want to do this. Can’t wait for your new office reveal!
This looks amazing, and I actually like it a lot better than the one for $1050. Congrats!
I love it! Great job Emily!!
It’s gorgeous. Love the style. Hugs, Marty
an amazing find, and well worth the effort. It is stunning!
I feel your pain! I bought gorgeous outdoor lanterns at Restore for$10/piece to replace my outdoor lighting. The taping was terrible but the results were terrific. You did an absolutely amazing job. You’ve inspired me to replace a few more interior lights…
Gorgeous!!
It looks amazing! I like it better than the inspiration pic because I like the rounded bottom. Great taping job…as I was reading I was thinking that would be a huge pain
Emily, this looks great. I love how it pops off of the white bookcases. And imperfect paint job . . . doesn’t even matter. The overall look is awesome.
It looks great!
Love that light!
It’s amazing what a little paint can do — it instantly updated your fixture!
A couple of days of work still makes this a great steal! It is so purdy now.
Emily I think you nailed it!!It looks fantastic and expensive!! Kudos to you for persevering! happy Monday,
Kathysue
you have so inspired me to start looking!!! this looks fabulous! great job…so worth it!
Yours looks much better! Nicely done!
That is a beautiful makeover! I never wood have guessed that it didn’t come from an upscale store and it looks great in your office. I wish I had a restore near me…
Good job Emily! I love it!!!
Wow! This looks amazing! Can’t wait to see the office reveal!
I love it!
I just re-stored a RE-STORE chandelier too! Mine was a little easier though..check it out http://kristiandbrady.blogspot.com/2012/01/merry-christmas-to-me.html
I’m sure taping all that off was QUITE the chore. But looking at the finished product, it was WORTH IT! :)
I’ve been wanting to do this to our entry brass lantern. I just showed my husband yours and it convinced him to finally let me try. Thanks!
That is a gorgeous light fixture!! The before and after pictures made me say wow! Worth it for sure.
I love black spray paint! Haha….here is another reason why! It looks great. Can’t wait to see your office!
That looks fantastic Emily! I have been wanting to go to our local Re-Store for a while…now I am motivated!
I love this! So modern looking, I have been to a few Habitat stores and they do have a ton of brass chandeliers such a great tutorial on taking one and making it pretty again!
I think it looks fab, Emily – but I totally am not planning to undertake that project myself! :-)
Absolutely fantastic, love the beveled glass, it adds a lot! Janell
Looks great!
I prefer your version!! Looks amazing, and love the beveled glass
This is a great posting I have read. I like your article. Thank you
Hi Emily,
LOVE what you did with your Habitat find!!!
We have lots of “tired” lanterns at the ReStore in Matthews. We’re painting and freshening up that store over then next few weeks. I think I should freshen up a fixture for that ReStore.
Keep the ideas coming girlie. You are a FABULOUS inspiration.
so pretty!! I love it! :)
THAT IS AMAZING!!!! What a wonderful transformation. Bravo :)
THAT IS AMAZING!!!! What a wonderful transformation. Bravo :)
THAT IS AMAZING!!!! What a wonderful transformation. Bravo :)
THAT IS AMAZING!!!! What a wonderful transformation. Bravo :)
THAT IS AMAZING!!!! What a wonderful transformation. Bravo :)
It definitely sounds worth it! I guess I can’t say since I wasn’t the one having to tape it all out- hate taping! Anyway… really beautiful job. Also, I’m really glad you added the name/url option to your comments! It’s my favorite way to comment. Thanks!
I actually think yours look way better than the pricer one. I love the shape and the glass of yours. Sometimes price does not mean better.
Such a great deal! LOVE how it came out- and the savings alone is totally worth all that work!
Love your light much better than expensive one!! Style is one of designers favorites!! Great job painting also!
Emily, this is the perfect example of why your blog is so well-loved. Stylish, affordable, and honest! Really looking forward to seeing your finished office. The books look great.
Camille
Emily, this redo is incredible! I fell in love with it, so imagine my excitement when I walked into my local ReStore and found the EXACT same fixture I’d seen on your blog!! I’ve taped and painted it, and you’re right, what a pain! But before I hang it, can you tell me where you got that gorgeous ceiling medallion? I can find similar ones, but not the same one. Any help? THANKS!!!
It came with the house :)
Where did you get your desk?
A Craigslist find!