Can I tell ya just how long I've wanted to do this...?
(here she is after only 5 hours paint time)
To paint this monstrosity of the 80's...
this octopus that inhabited my now pretty frenchy living room...
OK, I have to admit,
it started to look better when all the shades were removed.
Taking this puppy down was just NOT gonna happen.
it is about 5 foot wide and 5 foot tall,
and weighs a ton.
I think it has 23 or 24 candelabras attached.
So my husband found a ladder for me
and held his breath and prayed.
First thing was to clean over 9 years of dust and cobwebs off of it.
Above is the first coat of "Creamy White" by Behr.
Yessiree girls and boys,
I brush painted this thing...no other choice.
And below is the second coat of a mix of creamy white, black, and almond
to get this yummy gray taupe, medium dark coat.
Dry brushed a sloppy coat.
Next a coat of Creamy White and the Almond (custom color)
dry brushed on top of all that.
Hard to see, but it has great "dimension" and subtleties.
I love this reflection!
Now, this room is about where I envisioned it several months ago.
I'm getting there!
I was so excited to post this I still have paint all over me
and I haven't cleaned up my mess.
more photos this week...!
Moral of this story?
Where there's a will there's a way!
linking up with
Now to see if I can get all this paint off.
xoxo,
104 common thoughts:
The chandelier looks simply fabulous! The reflection in the mirror is divine!
It looks AMAZING! Go you. I love that reflection too!
xo,
Jami
WOW! The hard work paid off! it is gorgeous! Thanks for your kind comments on my blog! can't wait to see your finished family room!
I don't think I could stand on a ladder and paint like that. What an amazing transformantion, it looks beautiful!
Isn't it exciting to see your ideas take shape! You did a fabulous job painting all those all those hard to reach spaces on the chandelier. The result is just lovely....what a spectacular change!
You guys were brave, Debra! It does look great though!
Wow, turned out Gorgeous!
Whooo - that looks gorgeous and the thought of it is plum scary. I'm so glad you survived it to show us your beauty. I love it. Hope you get a little rest in this weekend too.
xo's...T
Looks like Faudree himself has designed the room!! Are you going to do the beams? I think they would look fabulous in the same gray technique, I have loved watching the transformation of your living room. It is more than fabulous!!!
It is beautiful! Your room is picture perfect--loving the neutrals.
I'm astounded that you hand-painted this! My neck and arms ache in sympathy. It looks gorgeous now!
That is a real Labor of Love, and it turned out just gorgeous!!
Huggs, Nancy
What a job! It looks wonderful but I feel for your arms & neck.
WOW Debra you did an amazing job!! Your chandelier looks fabulous! Great job, Martina
Looks so pretty Debra! Huge difference, and you did a great job!
Holy cow Debra, it's gorgeous! But seriously, you stood on that very high ladder and hand painted it? You are one brave lady! Now can you come paint mine too?
Oh my word, it is totally exquisite. I love it. You did a wonderful job painting it. It is a fantastic fixture and now the color is perfect. Thanks bunches for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
OMGoodness Debra! You inspire me, I have the same one on my back porch and never thought of painting it....
Good job!
What an amazing transformation! I think that I have the baby octopus in my dining room. It has twelve lights, but it looks very similar to yours. I have seriously thought about spray painting it aqua.
Wow , what a job ! It looks great !
Just shows what determination can do for you .
I would love to hang a chandy in my house , but I don't know where I could put one , and I don't have high ceilings.
You did this while it was hanging? How in the world? Didn't your arms get amazingly tired? But you're right - looks much better and your determination is to be admired.
Well FANTASTIC, Debra! What a beautiful brave job! Your room is just more and more breathtaking!
I have to do this in my dining room and have been putting it off for months. My light fixture was a gift from my parents so it's not an option to replace it. I just couldn't part with it. But it's shiny brass so I have to do something. You've inspired me and are living proof that it can be done. Yay for you!
Your chandelier looks fantastic!
Debra, it looks amazing! What a transformation. The mirror shot is gorgeous. Love the layers of paint.
I love it Debra! I'm glad you had the courage to do it. What a job it must have been painting around all those curves! It is really beautiful!
Oh, I just LOVE it Debra!! You were right, my brass chandy is almost identical to yours. Now if only I could find a ladder tall enough to paint mine! I'm trying to convince my hubby to rent some scaffolding. LOL! Yours looks absolutely gorgeous and totally brightens everything up. Love it!
Vanessa
Holy cow, it looks fabulous! It is so true what they say about the power of paint! I love the new room.
Beautiful transformation! You really did a fantastic job. It must have been very tedious, but totally worth the effort. Nicely done :)
Looks fabulous!!
You are one brave cookie!! Good job!!
This looks so good! I have painted smaller versions of this before, and it really makes a difference.
Wonderful Debra. The two tones look great.
If anyone could do it you could Deb. I have a chandelier in our foyer I'd love to paint but it's 14 feet up. You may have convinced me to try it.
xx
Carole
LOVE this!!! I was just watching something on HGTV and the house had a (much smaller) chandelier like this and they replaced it with a cheap wimpy one... I thought why don't you just PAINT that one... it would look fabulous if it wasn't brass!
I can't believe you had to paint the whole thing with a brush... on a big ladder no less! But it turned out fabulously and I love the shot of it in your mirror, wow!
~Chris
I have done this to many a brass like fixtures. YOURS IS AMAZING. It looks so great in this room too. Plse come by and share at Market Mon. if you get a chance.
http://mollysusanstrong.blogspot.com/2011/09/market-monday-with-linky-creating-from.html
I am totally astounded Debra! It is beautiful!!! I can't even imagine standing on the ladder that high up, let alone painting it.
Way to go girl!!!
sending hugs...
And when there is a woman on a mission...get outta her way!
It looks fantastic. You would have lost me on the cleaning part!
Deb
P.S. I'll e-mail you later with all the 411 on our trip that didn't happen!
You deserve a 2 hour massage after tackling that job..I did one similar to this 10 years ago and nearly killed myself. I applaud your efforts and obvious determination!
Well done. : )
What a difference ! And, what a job !!!! You must be so sore - but wow, wow, wow it was worth your aches and pains !!!!!
thanks for sharing,
gena
Holy camole Debra, you are the WOMAN! I would not have had the patience, but yours certainly paid off. It look great! High cyber five!
Hugs,
Judy
It looks fabulous..now that must have been some job, brush painting. That's a big ole chandy. You did a super job...it looks beautiful.
WOW
Just lovely!!!
Hugg, Tine
Norway
Debra- HOW was you able to stand there, without being dizzy ? on a latter on and off for 5 hours ??? You are a very brave woman :)
And you have now the most fantastic ,and beautiful "Octupus" in your room.
I clapp my hands for you, dear friend.
Hugs,Dorthe
scary to think about doing, but wow, is it lovely now! such a great job, debra:) love the reflection!
It looks devine! You did an amazing job. Love the reflection in the mirror.
Hi Debra...
It's gorgeous!!! Ohhh...I love the new frenchy finish! You did a magnificent job, my friend! And what a brave lady you are...to stand up on that ladder to refinish your chandelier...BRAVO!!! Thanks for sharing your new french beauty with us...it really is lovely!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
Well that is a heck of a paint job...I am afraid of heights! IT looks soooo much better now, and I imagine you are just thrilled to be done with that project!
Absolutely STUNNING! You must be thrilled to pieces with this transformation. Love the picture of the chandie reflecting in the mirror!
Thats for sure, I've done plenty of things I was told weren't possible! The chandelier turned out fabulous! It looks so much better! Great addition to the room!
tot
It looks fabulous! The room is beautiful. I love everything you've done. Love the reflection of the chandie in the mirror. It's tricky to have mirrors on mantels if they reflect nothing pretty. You certainly have a an impact with the mirror placement.
I bet your arm is sore!
Holy cow I'll bet you are sore all over! What a fabulous paint job. I wonder what hubby would think if I did that to our brass 80's light over the kitchen table........
Hi Debra,
You did such a fabulous job.Your chandelier looks beautiful.
Kathy
We had a chandelier just like that only a lot smaller in our dining room and I hated it...hated the brass. I couldn't wait to paint it and it was a pain. I can't imagine the work you put into this but it was well worth it! It looks spectacular in that room now.
Love the transformation, I agree it looks like it flows with the room now, beautiful! You did a fabulous job!
Laura from Cottage and Broome
Someone has been busy~ A pretty pumpkin of a blog header and a really lovely chandy.
I need one just like it in my living room.
I would love for you to share this on Wednesday's Fall In Love linky.
Love it! You must have some really good balance to perch up there long enough to paint it:)
Thanks for sharing all of this beauty! HUGS!
I love it! I am sure that was quite a job, but WELL worth it!
Theresa
It turned out beautiful! Love all that you are doing to your room!
Just beautiful. I am curious how your arms and neck will feel this morning..............It was well worth it.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Sherry
It looks fantastic, Debra and you must have the patience of a saint.
This looks fabulous! I love it! Thanks for showing the process! Amazing transformation!
Bravo! Wow - that was one big undertaking, but it looks so much better, Debra! You must just love looking at it in your beautiful room.
xo
Claudia
The Chandy looks fabulous! Did you pick a winner for the giveaway? I thought you were going to do that on my birthday! LOL
How beautiful! A real labor of love.
..............*** W*O*W *** ..........
THIS looks TOTALLY S*T*U*N*N*I*N*G!!!! SOOOOOOO FAB!!!!!!!!
I believe the saying is "YOU ROCK, GIRLFRIEND!"....
Loved seeing this~ first time here for me, but like Ahhhhhnold sez, "I VILL BE BAAAACK!"...
Thanks!
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Wow, Debra that looks awesome. Wonderful job!!
Bless your heart. I think I was born with a paint brush in my hand, I love to paint, but I not so sure I would try yours. You did an amazing job!!! Thanks for sharing.
Awsome job! Yes you sure had a strong will to MAKE a way...and it looks great! Strong work! Oh! and I love the reflection (s) in the mirrors! Clever!
omg!!!!!!!!! LOVE it...now I think I would paint the beams, not pure white, but a "shade of white"...Linda
Watching you go up that ladder with paint and brush, I'm watching you!!!!
Amazing!
What more is there to say than Gorgeous!!! I also love the reflection of the chandelier in the mirror. I bet the whole room feels different now.
Isn't it gorgeous now! I have painted a chandelier by hand before and know it works but can't imagine painting one up in the air and that large. I'm shocked it turned out so well. Looks so beautiful...yes your living room is looking more and more like you. Thanks for linking up at my party.
GASP... It's wonderful now!!! I can not believe the difference...
Cindy
You are making me greatly regret getting rid of a brass candelabra when we replaced it with a black iron candelabra. Love the new one, but I could have painted the old brass one like you did and it would have been gorgeous. Love what you did!!! Linda
Wow it is stunning...I did my old 80's one also and blinged it up if you get a chance jump over to decoratingyourworld.blogspot you've inspired me to post the pic they are soooooooo much prettier painted...you did a great job i sprayed mine but your brush job came out very lovely
Girl, you have more guts than I have. I'm not talking about painting the chandelier, I'm talking about climbing up that tall ladder! You, and the chandelier, are amazing!
I'm green at this moment. I just sold a similar chandy although much smaller in scale at my garage sale for $5.00! Just think what I could have done. UGH! Now I'm on the hunt again.
Debra,
Just wish I could see the smile on your face each time you look at your handiwork! So~o~o glad you were able to make the change your heart desired with only paint to remove from yourself...no broken bones! YEAH! Congratulations on a job well done!Breathtakingly beautiful!
Fondly,
Pat
What a job! But so worth the effort. This looks terrific.
You so deserve to be patted on the back Debra! Wow, is all I can say, you did a wonderful job and it just looks beautiful! I love the reflection too...so pretty!
She's perfect!
I literally sighed aloud when I sawq the reflection shot!
What a great idea to paint it!! I love it and it works wonderfully with that room. I love your beamed ceiling. Great job!!
My friend, I am totally impressed. I bet your arms were killing you. You are my kind of woman.
I have brass fixtures in several rooms and have painted a few, but would LOVE to paint the rest. The ones in the bathroom especially. Got me thinking...
Looks so pretty Debra and I love the shot of it in the mirror!
that is stunning and so unique.. just what your beautiful room reserved. thank you for the step by step.. I have a ceiling fan that works great but looking at is is sickening. I'm inspired now to try to brush paint it. thank you
Gorgeous Debra! What a beautiful job you did on that chandy! And I have to add that I ADORE that huge white clock in your frenchy living room. SO sweet.
Blessings & hugs,
Karen
You are one brave girlie... and it came out GREAT..... Love the re-do.
Warmest blessings,
Spencer
Debra, just wanted to come back and say thanks for linking up this fantastic chandy. You are brave going that high, girl.
Oh My! What a project! It sure does pop now. :) It looks so pretty in the picture. :)
~Liz
Excuse me while I wipe up my drool! I absolutely love it!!!! Well worth the time it took!
I absolutely LOVE this! It was worth all the effort.
Your a brave one Debra, but it was worth it. Your chandy is gorgeous! Perfect for the french look your after. I have two brass chandys, not quite this big but big enough I couldn't do this. One in my two story foyer and one in the dining room. What a difference. I'll tag this tutorial just in case I talk the mister into doing it for me. Look forward to more of your photos.
~Emily
The French Hutch
That is stunning - you make me wonder if I shouldn't transform my dining room chandelier in similar style. I recently remodeled and just added shades - but now I may rethink that. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh you brave woman you. It was well worth the aching muscles that I am sure you had. It looks great and I just love the reflection. I always try to place my mirrors to give me the best reflections I can get. Enjoy the new look.
Hugs,
Ellen
Almost 100 comments! Thanks for linking up to Open House Party. Happy Friday!
OMG! What a fabulous look and awesome work you did!! It vturned out pectacular!, the reflection photo is magazine worth, a ptophesional photo! Congrats on this amazing job Debrah!! Hugs,
FABBY
I featured this today on Mod Mix Monday!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the idea of dry brushing. There's a similar chandelier (a little smaller) at a second hand store I frequent. I've been waiting for the price to drop, but went in today, and it went UP! Weird, but the waiting continues, and eventually, I'll be doing this to it as well!
Debra, it's beautiful! Definitely couldn't have planned anything better than this in your awesome room!
I'm a new follower.
www.projectqueen.org
That is gorgeous! I can't believe you had to paint it on a ladder. Your arms must have been killing you!
Have a great weekend!
Wow! That was a lot of work but look how great it turned out! Beautiful!
You have certainly got more nerve than I have. It is all I can do to get on a ladder and wash mine. Of course I am only five feet tall and even a stepstool scares me! You did a fantastic job and it looks perfect in your room.
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