How to update an ugly apt brass chandelier w/out removing fr ceiling

You could hand paint it with a metallic craft paint suitable for lighting,then change out the bulbs and glass????

It would still be possible to spray paint it IF you not only remove the glass chimneys and cover the bulbs and "candles," but also tape off and cover everything that abuts the chandelier. I'm not sure tape would adhere well to a textured ceiling, but you could use thumbtacks to tack up plastic sheeting, then fill in the thumbtack holes with a little popcorn ceiling patch when you remove the plastic.

I'm also not sure how anyone would KNOW that you'd removed it if you put it back. It seems strange that the landlord would let you paint it, but not let you take it down temporarily.

Put a cardboard box around it, then spray paint.

Maybe make a big drum shade for it.... http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-diy-drum-shade-169299

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/rooms/from-brass-to-sass-28402898

I can't paint it, I need to somehow camouflage it to cover everything, but still have light come thru

This is pretty, I think I'd paint the inside of the shade with a metalic paint to match your brass so it looks like it's original to the lamp. You could do this with made shades also. I find shades at the Goodwill all the time. Good luck.

http://betweentherafters.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-drum-shade-with-crystals-tutorial.html?m=1

Remember the old saying. . . If you can't lick them, join them? How about embracing the brass and adding candlesticks and a bowl for the table? It looks like there is extra cord. Maybe it would look better hung the length of the electrical wire. You could remove the globes and add shades. You could accept that furnishings and fixtures in rentals are not always what one wishes. You could fashion a quasi shade by using paper or fabric to surround the brass. You could use fabric or paper to surround the glass. You could somehow, use a big ballon paper shade to surround the entire fixture.

That was my thought, just put a giant shade around it, one that is open beneath to let you get the light. Maybe make one from a big balloon [chicken wire?]with paper mache so it is a solid cover to hide the beast. You might have to cut the ball in half to put around the light, but it could be done. OH, and use LED bulbs so it doesn't get hot up there.

Wrap it with vines or some other natural vegetation. Try manzanita branches.

Example:

As a landlord, I've never told a tenant "you can't do..." As long as you put it back the way it was before you moved in, it should be OK to replace it, or if you get the landlord to agree to accept the replacement. Sounds like you need a "go forward" plan. I say find a fixture you love, and present it to the landlord as an alternative. Negotiate to either leave it behind or to replace the original when you leave. Don't let him/her bully you into living with something you hate. Note to future tenants: Negotiate the changes you want before you sign a lease even if it a "what if I..." As a landlord, I like to keep my tenants happy. Believe me the last thing I want is to have an empty house for a month.

My guess is that the landlord would be liable if the wiring was not properly reconnected and grounded and a fire resulted injuring someone and causing property damage. Just a guess... while hand painting may be tedious, it's doable. Use a primer intended for metal and then have at it. 👍🏻