Asked on Jul 20, 2013
I Need Some Project Ideas For This Vintage Chandelier
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Hi, I have a couple of projects I want to work on but not sure what direction to go. One of them is this cool art deco looking chandelier. All I can think to do is add candles and hang with a chain but I'm looking for other ideas. I really don't want to paint it because I love the original finish.
Need Project Ideas....Help
49 answers
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You can have it rewired. Put clip on shades on the bulbs. Or you can take old clip on shades and recover them with something complimentary to your decor. I'll look forward to seeing your finished result as this is a beautiful piece. Good luck.
Liliana Wells
on Jul 20, 2013
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My step son's girlfriend saw on either Pinterest or Hometalk, where you put solar lights where the bulbs would go (cut off the stem of the solar light to fit). I did it with an old chandelier and put it outside. It is really cool! Then I found a candleabra and did the same thing. Now I look for all sorts of things to put solar lights in and put them outside, in my garden, on the deck etc. Of course if you don't want this hanging outside, then this idea would now appeal to you! Have fun whatever you decide!
Patti Biggar
on Jul 20, 2013
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That is a really beautiful chandelier! I say rewire it (very easy to do) and use the blue canning jars as shades!
Cher @ Designs By Studio C
on Jul 20, 2013
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I would rewire the fixture and fit it a frosted hurricane shade......or a hurricane shade with an etched pattern. Lamp it with an antique type flickering bulb Gary
LandlightS
on Jul 20, 2013
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I am a big fan of your projects, you are so creative. Here is a wild idea for this grand old lady: how about making it into a planter? You line the chandy parts on the bottom AND the top, then plant something that would compliment the fab patina. I know it's unconventional, but it might be very cool, if you did not wish to re-wire and use traditionally. Whatever you come up with will be superb, as usual! xo
Sia@South 47th
on Jul 20, 2013
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I love @Sia's idea. I'd like to see other photos of it if possible to show the bottom of the socket area.
Z
on Jul 20, 2013
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I like Sia's idea too... I can't wait to see what you decide to do with it
Jamala W
on Jul 20, 2013
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Sia always has great ideas :)! and I love this one as usual!
Cathy Kurpil
on Jul 21, 2013
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@Sia@South 47th , I agree with everyone, you do have great ideas. The only problem is I don't have a green thumb. I can hardly keep fake plants looking good! I know I'm going to get some flack for this comment......too many really impressive gardeners/plant enthusiasts in @Hometalk. I do love a beautiful lawn and garden but I leave that up to my hubby.
Kathy Owen | Petticoat Junktion
on Jul 21, 2013
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Kathy, I'm the same way. Though I used to have a green thumb, I lost it when we moved to Texas for 14 months and the water there killed all my plants. I still plant things once in awhile, but it's got to be easy care plants. I have one indoor plant and I water it with one of those globes. Before I bought that it barely survived because I forgot to water it.
Z
on Jul 21, 2013
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It almost sits to perfect. Like it is saying "I'm scared of heights and I would like to be part of a center piece please" :) If you have an old floor lamp stand and wanted to rewire it (i can do it anyone can) if you flip it over and attach it to the top of the base, you could have a really original light.
Shabby Paints
on Jul 21, 2013
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@Petticoat Junktion Thank you. And no worries, not everyone can have a green thumb LOL!! How about this one? A Buffet Salad Server. OK, I know it sounds a bit strange. However if you cut the attachment that is inside the top you could then line it with a beautiful cutwork linen and put a Glass bowl on top. OR forget the linen and paint the inside with a Copper finish.Then set the Bowl on top. The little cone chandy pieces could be painted inside as well, with the Copper finish and hold Silverware and a larger Salad Spoon and Fork. ;)
Sia@South 47th
on Jul 21, 2013
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@Sia@South 47th . I'm liking the copper idea. Still thinking over the rest.
Kathy Owen | Petticoat Junktion
on Jul 21, 2013
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I would stick solar garden lights in the sockets and put mason jars over them for an outdoor chandelier.
Jessica C
on Jul 21, 2013
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Maybe somehow flip it over and add an extension creating a small table with little LED lights in the cones. Place a class top or bowl on top.
Colleen
on Jul 21, 2013
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@Jessica Cramer , the solar light idea sounds good if they fit but the neck of the mason jars are too big, I checked them out to see.
Kathy Owen | Petticoat Junktion
on Jul 21, 2013
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What about another glass jar Kathy? Like a jelly or jam jar?
Z
on Jul 21, 2013
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You could spray paint it after you take out the old wiring and I have in the past put tea lights in the cups and hang it, you can add something interesting to it as well. I have used roses and greenery on mine.
Bonnie Lewenza
on Jul 22, 2013
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I just finished a project where I took the chandalier and placed vintage, pretty saucers where the light bulbs would go and put bird seed in it and hung it under a tree. It turned out beautiful!
Lisa
on Jul 22, 2013
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To me it looks like it should be turned over. The comment above about making it a table sounds great.
Grandma's House
on Jul 22, 2013
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Great suggestions everyone! All I got was to paint it a bright color and drip more shiny things off (beads, crystals, etc) of it...either as a decor non light piece or fix the lighting for a ceiling light. But I like the outdoor hanging piece! Since I just did a piece where I also did not want to use live plants...get some moss (bags of it at Michael's) and hang it on it ... inside our out and another type of decor piece! Painted or not! o) Good luck!
Sfg178760
on Jul 22, 2013
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a florest could could make silk flower arrangements to fit this. Would make a good center piece with or without candles.
Karen wesley
on Jul 22, 2013
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I took an old fixture sprayed it with black and then lightly brushed copper as highlights, Removed the electrical and replaced with battery candles. Then placed a wreath with flowers. feathers,showing through. I placed it over my patio table.
Cathy Southers
on Jul 22, 2013
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When I look at this, I envision old china saucers on the arms and a fabulous old plate on top...making this a serving piece, plant stand, or display for small treasures. :)
Judy
on Jul 22, 2013
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I would leave the finish alone and plant succulants on the top after removing the wires. You could add led tealights to the cups and hang it.
Rachel Rita-Raposo
on Jul 22, 2013
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This would be beautiful painted gloss black or even a faded powder green, pillar candles in the sockets, and Spanish moss hanging from it in a garden ( in a secluded spot with a small table and chairs under it) or over a rustic patio/deck. There are so many possibilities with this piece, but I think outside would be very nice!
Therese C
on Jul 22, 2013
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Spray paint it white and glue t cups and saucers where the light bulbs go...I have one I'm in the process of doing that too..I"ll post a pic when its done..
Sandy Lueker
on Jul 22, 2013
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Did not read the other comments so if this is there please excuse. I have two~I am into Wine Bottle art and that is a true possibility and could even be wired. The other is the Mason Jar concept so popular this year. Cover with little clear glass stones and cover lights or put reg. lights and hang lighted mason jars. If used outside put the solar lights in and put in tree for a fancy porch or backyard effect.
Kristine Fiddelke
on Jul 22, 2013
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Ok, I have to give my 2 cents worth: I would use it as a table topper. Leave the great patina, take all the wiring out, ready the top for a short, chunky candle and then I would place a small container to fit the chands and place a beautiful(very short cut) hydrangea in each.
Frankie Laney
on Jul 22, 2013
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What if you turned the jars upside down, and cut the flat lid tops to fit snugly around the base of each arm? I would put the solar lights in through the top of the arms, not the bottom.You could use some sort of caulk to hold them in place. I would remove all the old wiring, you would have to replace it anyway if you were ever going to electrify it. Check out Marty's chandelier: http://www.martysmusings.net/2013/02/diy-mason-jar-chandelier.html
Jessica C
on Jul 22, 2013
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I love Sia's idea of making in to a planter. I have a builders grade brass chandy in my DR that I'm replacing with a vintage french chandy and I plan on turning into a planter for my garden.
Teresa
on Jul 22, 2013
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Finish is beautiful. It would be a shame to paint it. With a little 'tweeking', upside down, it would make a great accent piece in a garden.
169756
on Jul 22, 2013
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Hi I can see a gazeing ball on top of this lovely stand or a bird bath and some little plants on the bottom!
Rachel
on Jul 22, 2013
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Remove the wiring, put a solar gazing ball on top, and solar/battery candles in cups. Sit on patio in darken corner, on an table painted a teal/turquoise.
Karon Nelson Roberts
on Jul 22, 2013
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I would make a pretty fountain with the water going up the center to the top and trickling down and out the little cups on the bottom into a larger basin.
Michelle Eliker
on Jul 22, 2013
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clean it up with a wire brush or steel wool, use a spray primer then when it dries spray paint it in your favorite color ie white, black or old gold. Then use a sealer to keep it looking nice. find edison bulbs for the chandler and use some shades for the chandelier.
Yvonne Moore
on Jul 22, 2013
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Take the wires out and use it to hold candles hanging from the ceiling.
Deanna Riles-Cox
on Jul 22, 2013
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Im all the way with Rachel Rita idea. Don't take away the vintage look with spray paint.
Teri
on Jul 22, 2013
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This art deco light fixture could easily be turned into an actual lamp. Have it rewired. glue or epoxy base, the bulbs would hang down. It would be a one of a kind. just a thought.
Terri Johnson
on Jul 22, 2013
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Ihave one that I made as a table topper as well. I gutted all the wiring and in the cups I used some coloured aquarium gravel and placed tea lights in it. Very nice when lit, oh and in the center of it I placed a small vase shape candle holder and have some greenery and a few flowers.
Bonnie Lewenza
on Jul 23, 2013
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@Bonnie Lewenza , I like your idea, may have to try something similar. You all have great ideas, such creative folks here. The only thing I know for sure is that I will not be painting it. I love the finish as is!
Kathy Owen | Petticoat Junktion
on Jul 23, 2013
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Make an outdoor water fountain. Just play around with it and add small trailing vimes to the bottom things where the lights went. You would have to add a large round bottom to catch the water and a pump to pump it back up..I think it would look great.
Judy Anstess
on Jul 23, 2013
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Petticoat Junction I am working on one now, it is more of a modern one the globes on it are frosted so when I removed them I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them. As it turned out I have some very nice tall candle holders which hold the larger candles. I don't care for the larger candles as they are too messy. So I snipped off the spike on the holders placed the frosted globe over it where the candle would fit and placed a tea light in them. As for the rest of the chandelier I am going to work some sea shells into it for my bathroom as I do have other sea objects in there. The candle sticks look great though so I got two projects from one.
Bonnie Lewenza
on Jul 24, 2013
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being Art Deco it is probably made from pot metal or white metal it is not very strong metal and would probably break if you use it as a table base. It is a soft metal and needs to be protected from the elements, paint would do fine. I vote for the solar lights Take some of the $1 ones and remove the post and just glue it in place. They look great hung from a tree.
Pat Mountfort
on Jul 24, 2013
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@Pat Mountfort , it isn't big enough for a table anyway, the picture may be deceiving. I like the solar light ideas and also filling the light sockets with colored rock and adding tea lights. Still thinking. I want have time to work on that project for a couple of weeks.
Kathy Owen | Petticoat Junktion
on Jul 24, 2013
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I've taken many old junk pieces and turned them into "something"...Have tons of junk items awaiting their new future. BuT...I am also a lover of old light fixtures like this one which looks to be in pretty good shape; aNd, this doesn't classify as junk to me. Re-wiring it is easy. I've taken ones like this and detail-painted them which is gorgeous. Sorry, but I have to vote for keeping it as the super-dLuX light fixture it is, painting it to suit you, re-wiring it, and enjoying it to light a room!
Laz197389
on Jul 25, 2013
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Hello, fellow Tennessean! I think it would be pretty on a desk. Fill with paperclips, pencils, etc. and put a pretty bowl on top or candle.
Jamesandcarol Murchison
on Jul 25, 2013
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I hung an old chandelier from a bird cage stand. I put candles on it and hung it in my porch.I added crystals. This would be cut with succulents drooping down too.
Gloria Duy
on Jul 25, 2013
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I would use it to put plants in it, hang it by a window or on the porch/entrance
Darlene
on Aug 25, 2013
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