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1980's Brass Light Fixtures Get a Seashell Makeover

I hope you all had a safe and fun 4th of July. Shawn and I had dinner with Michael and Ethan.  As I mentioned, our youngest four are at camp this week so Shawn and I have had the house all to ourselves.  I have gotten so much done, including make-ing over these light fixtures.  The bathroom, besides being unbelievably filthy, when we found the house, had a 1980's era striped wallpaper...green, red, blue and white stripes with tan dots on the white.  It wasn't completely horrible, but it was really dirty (beyond being able to be washed away) and just looked very outdated.  I got rid of the paper and finished painting the bathroom but the bright brass light fixtures needed a change.  I DON'T like the shiny brass finish....and since I couldn't afford to replace the lights  (even it this were my house, and not a rental) and since the landlord has given me free reign to do what I wish here, I decided to give these a little makeover.  



Not only were the fixtures bright brass, but they were also rusted in areas.




I took the glass shades out of the fixtures and gave them all a bath.  The one on the left has been washed.

I cleaned the fixtures really well and wiped them down with a rust remover.
Next, I painted the brass fixtures a soft, creamy sand color called Sugar Beige.  This was some paint I had left over from the shop.
Looking better already, don't you think?

 I poured about a cup of crushed seashells into a bowl (these cost under $4 for a bag and I didn't even use 1/4 of it).

I used brush on super glue around the rim of the shade and then dipped it in the shells.  


I applied another coat of the glue, this time around the lower edge of the shades so that I'd have the shells on the bottom rim and around the edge.  I just sprinkled them on and then turned the shades upside down to sit a few minutes and dry.



This is how they are looking thus far.  

After the crushed shells had dried I glued three shells evenly spaced around the shades, just over the frosted flowers.



I let the larger shells dry for a while and then it was time to put them back on the fixtures. 
 Tadah!





And, with the lights on the seashells offer a soft glow.


I am anxious to show you all the after photos of the entire bathroom.
It can't be worse than how we found it, now can it?   


Joining:

Between Naps on the Porch,
 Savvy Southern StyleRomantic Homes Common GroundFeathered Nest Friday,Charm of HomeFunky Junk Interiors No Minimalist Here,  Transformation Thursday, Delightful Order, Somewhat Simple


Comments

  1. Neat idea, thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the "after bath".

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  2. How creative and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the room. You have me thinking about painting my lights.

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  3. Hi Nancy! Oh, you're the smartest one! I love these. How in the world did you think to do this? Looks so pretty.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. The fixture looks so much better painted and with the shells. Can't wait to see all you've done. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Hi Nancy, What a big improvement and I love them now. Thanks for joining my party this week and have a great weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  6. Nancy, you are so clever. How do you come up with all these creative ideas? Hope you are enjoying some down time while your children are at camp. ;-)
    ~ Sarah

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  7. Great Job Nancy! A little paint can fix anything and adding the shells was the finishing touch! Martina

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  8. Nancy, your creativity - not to mention your constant energy - just blows me away. Hope you had a minute to read the post I did on PagodaRoad about transferware... and you.

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  9. That's a cool idea Nancy! I am waiting to see the entire bathroom. I hope your landlord knows how lucky he is to have you living there!!

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  10. That is a really cute idea for the light shades. I love the crushed shells on the rim. Thanks for linking this up to Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  11. That is such a cute idea!

    Waving from Our Back Porch,
    Rebecca

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  12. Love the crushed shell idea!! Have to keep that in mind!

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  13. As I keep saying, that's one lucky landlord.

    - The Tablescaper

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