Turning a Chandelier Found at the Dump Into Porch Lighting

by Recreated Designs

2 Materials

I found this rusty, crusty chandelier not long ago at a local dump and turned it into some beautiful lighting for our cottage porch with just a little paint and some battery operated lights.

turning a chandelier found at the dump into porch lighting, lighting, painting, porches

There is a little "store" at the dump near out cottage where locals can leave things that they think someone may want. Others are welcome to take what they want for free at any time. It is a wonderful idea that keeps an assortment of things out of the trash.

On my last trip to the dump store, I found this rusty, crusty, old chandelier. I am so glad that someone had the foresight to leave it in the little store. I would have hated to see such a lovely piece in the trash.

Even though it was a little scary looking, I instantly loved the lines and curves of the arms. I also loved the beautiful (despite being filthy) glass bead in the centre. So pretty!

The only prep needed to get the chandelier ready, was to remove the old wires. You can see them above coming out of the middle. To remove them, I used a pair of scissors and just snipped them as close to the middle pipe as possible.

Originally I left the light pieces in the centre of each arm. It was only after I painted it that I decided to remove those as well so that they wouldn't get in the way of anything sitting in, or on, the arms.

To paint the chandelier, I used two coats of Fusion Mineral Paint in Heirloom. Fusion Mineral Paint has a top coat built-in and is a thin, smooth paint so it adhered and looked beautiful, even over the rust.

The pretty, muted, grey-blue colour was the perfect choice. The chandelier is hanging in the porch at our cottage and looks exactly like the lake water it hangs near.

Originally, I wanted to attach a pot, with a plant in it, to each arm. I quickly found out though, that with the size of pot the arm would hold, I just couldn't keep the plants sufficiently watered.

Once the plan for the plants was scrapped, I put lights into the holders on the end of each arm. Even though this wasn't the original plan, I love the look.

It was easy to slip the little electric lights into the holders and they fit perfectly. The little, twinkling lights look so beautiful in the evening when it gets dark. They don't provide a huge amount of light but just enough to look magical.

I love this chandelier and I still can't believe it is the same rusty, crusty piece. It was definitely a treasure that I am so happy to have found.

Pop over to the blog to see more pictures of the rusty chandelier...

Read more about the little dump storeand my last find there...

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4 of 10 comments

I Restore Stuff on Aug 16, 2016
I love this in this colour! I'm sure I saw this on your actual blog recently or via the Fusion facebook page. so pretty!

1 Reply
- Recreated Designs on Aug 17, 2016
  Thanks Sharon! I still can't believe it is the same chandelier found at the dump... with just a little paint!
  
  1
Debby Wolfe-Schmid on Oct 10, 2016
My daughter did this with old fixtures only she attached solar lights and hung outside

1 Reply
- Recreated Designs on Oct 10, 2016
  Oh that is so pretty! I love it!
  
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