The Light is Outdated, and so Am I!

Jewellmartin
by Jewellmartin
OK. This family room light fixture is supposed to be way outdated, but not old enough to be rustic. The fan is not going away--this is Texas! So what do you think would look good? I'm so confused.
Old, but not old enough.
  10 answers
  • Bar22507691 Bar22507691 on Apr 15, 2017

    I had the same problem. It's not a great solution, but I removed the glass "shades" and replaced the bulbs with ones that are spherical and white. Hope someone else will respond with another solution.

    • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 15, 2017
      Bar45hde--what a great idea! Instead of candle flame bulbs, I could use bigger white bulbs. I hate the coiled bulbs. I might combine your idea with Cindy Jo's. The sad thing is, I have four similar fixtures in other rooms! So I need all the ideas I can get.
  • Cindy Jo Cindy Jo on Apr 15, 2017

    Fellow Texan here! I've always wanted what I call a Texas chandelier....a ceiling fan with chandelier accoutrements. I would paint the blades and body to blend with the ceiling color and then play with different ways to hook faux crystals all over it. Sorry, I can picture it better than describe it...hope it makes a little sense :)

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 15, 2017

    Cindy Jo, your faux crystal chandelier idea is a possibility. If I can find high enough lumen candlelight bulbs, then draping yards of faux crystals is pretty easy. It is also easy to remove, repaint white, and replace the fan blades. I'll probably leave any "gold" trim because it is shiny and there are other gold, white, and crystal touches in this casual room. Thank you for commenting!

  • PJ PJ on Apr 15, 2017

    This may be more than you want to tackle, but I had my husband take ours down. I then took the fan apart and lightly sanded it before painting it with hammered bronze spray paint by Rustoleum. When I put it back together, I flipped the blades over because they were darker on the other side. Fortunately, our glass shades are fairly plain so I kept those. It looks a lot better because it was the gold part that bothered me the most. It wasn't really that hard. Good luck.

    • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 16, 2017
      PJ, you are right. It's the gold that makes this most outdated, along with the globes. This fan is fifteen feet from the floor so it is more complicated the remove and replace than in the other rooms with fans with lights. I keep recounting, and there are 7 total, plus a simple candelabra light. I can use all the ideas I can get. Thank you!
  • Dfm Dfm on Apr 15, 2017

    i would update the shades, you can get them from big box home improvement stores. there should be a different wood grain pattern on the opposite side of the fan blade- does it look any better than what is there? i was cautioned to not paint the blades as it will affect their balance.

    • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 16, 2017
      Thanks dfm. The contractor who opened our rooms up said as long as all the blades are evenly sprayed, it shouldn't affect the balance. Also, for $10 or so a set (and up) Lowes and H D sell white fan blades. 5 sets would do 4 of my fans. I'll consider both options. Thank you very much!
  • T T on Apr 15, 2017

    I updated the shade covers, got mine from Lowes at clearance for about a dollar each. I love them and the fan looks much better.

    • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 16, 2017
      Dear T, thanks for the heads up about clearance sales. We have Lowe's, Home Depot, Home Place, Walmart and a few other places that sell lighting materials within ten miles. I'll check those bins!
  • Pamela chattergoon Pamela chattergoon on Apr 16, 2017

    If you want to be quick and look great simply paint the blades white and the metal on the light white. It will be much less noticeable. Next replace the light globes with a new style and color.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Apr 16, 2017

    Pamela, I thought I would leave the gold trim, but you are right, it would be easier to paint it all. A friend suggested clear globes and clear bulbs. I like that. Thank you!

  • Seethebeauty Seethebeauty on Apr 25, 2017

    Dudette, replace the fan with a newer fan. There are soo many cool designs out there that would totally bring you up to date with the awesome new color you paint your room.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 28, 2020

    Hello,

    Change the Colour of the Blades and or Change the Shades.