Stop! Before you dismiss that garage sale chandelier as totally tacky, take a closer look. There are tons of easy things you can do to make it work in your home and take on an entirely new feel. Here are the two best and easiest ways to fix up that vintage find.

Paint, paint, paint

Start by assessing the color. A garish gold and gilded Versailles-style chandelier may not be up your alley, but coat it in some white paint or whitewash and you’ve got a whole new chandelier. When you’re buying, it’s important to look beyond the finish and really assess the shape and structure.

Embellish, embellish, embellish

Once you have a color that’s more appealing (or less appalling), start customizing your chandelier. Search websites and stores for additional pieces like crystals and beads. You can also get different globes to cover the bulbs.

Enjoy!

Find a great place to hang that suddenly new chandelier, whether it’s above your dining room table or in your foyer. The most exciting thing about your chandelier? It’s all yours. With all the customizing you’ve done, nobody else will have one that looks anything like it. Just wait for the compliments and questions to start rolling in!

Nestpert: Grayson Handy, co-owner and creative director of Prudence Designs and Events and author of the new book Flowers for the Home: Inspirations from the World Over

Also Check out How to Rewire a Lamp.

-- Paula Kashtan

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