I was talking to my friend Peggy recently (nothing new there) and we were discussing decor and what we were doing. I don’t get to say much here, because she has already read about what I am doing on the blog. Actually during this conversation, I was in trouble for not sending her pictures of my projects before they go into cyber-space. (Sorry Peggy.)
So she mentioned that she installed a new chandelier in her dining room. I remembered the old one being very nice, and asked what happened to it. Ahhh yes, she reminded me of my last visit to her house. She was giving me a house tour showing off all of the wonderful things she had done to her lovely home, and the last room on our tour was the dining room. As we entered the room, she turned on the light switch with a theatrical flourish and instead of the lights turning on like we expected, there was a loud popping sound instead and no light. I had completely forgotten about it.
I knew she had someone over to look at it, but hadn’t kept up with what happened after that. But now that there was a lovely chandelier that might be available, I was all ears. (That really makes me sound terrible I know, I know.) I was remembering Caroline and her shelf, click here, so I knew I couldn’t act too interested, hee hee. (Caroline was getting rid of a shelf that I really loved, but I showed way too much interest in it, and she decided to keep it.) So I casually asked, and what will you do with “that old broken” chandelier? She said that she was taking to Goodwill the next day. (I was pretty excited, so I had to work to stay calm and not blow my cover.) Oh, well, if you are just getting rid of “that old thing”, I would love to have it. You know how we like to take old things and find a place for them at the ranch. “Sure,” she said, “you can HAVE it.” I was now doing the happy dance on the inside.
I thought I would convert the chandy to use with candles down at our new creekside deck.
I spent lots of time planning how and where the chandelier would hang, and how I would convert it, but the contractor still wasn’t finished with the deck, and so I waited patiently as the chandy sat silently on my front porch, taunting me every time I walked by it. I had plenty time to plan out how the chandy would be attached and how we could lower it to change out the candles and light them. I designed in my head a rope and pulley system for lowering the chandy when we lit the candles, because the roof is pretty high and there’s no ladder down by the creek. I bought rope, pulleys, and a few rope cleats to use.
After our contractor finally finished the project and I went down to work on the chandy, I looked up only to find that he had added some guide wires under the roof to give the roof some added support. Okay, they were going to keep the structure from falling down but they were right in the way of where I had planned to hang the new chandy. He had totally ruined my project. I was not happy with this new development and planned to tell him that he needed to take those wires down. Well, then I thought better of it. So now what was I going to do? Well, onto plan B, whatever that was. I had a fork and spoon chandy on my back porch that was much smaller. I moved it to the creek.
And those guide wires were the perfect height for my fork and spoon chandy.
Here’s where the fork and spoon chandy used to be, over our dining table, (From Garden Party post, click here to see)
and now we had a “big hole” there. (From Dressed in White post, click here to see)
So I had a place of the chandy, and I went to work on it. Here’s a BEFORE photo.
Now I began to work on removing the “candlesticks.”
Yikes, now I had another problem.
I thought there would be a flat surface here where I could glue a glass votive holder.
But this center “stem” was in the way, and it could not be removed, since it provided a rigid support for the chandy branches. Long story short, the project was now on hold again. Now, Mr. Chandy was back to his “taunting position”, staring me as I walked past him. If I could ignore Lumpy (click here) I could ignore him. I went onto another project and knew the chandy thing would work out later.
Later back in the city, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby to see what they might have that I could use. I remembered when my Dad used to work on projects, he would bring home lots of options from the store, and usually one of them would work. Then he could return the ones he didn’t use later. (But I doubt he ever actually returned those extra things.) I found a few different wood pieces at Hobby Lobby to try. The ranch is a long way from Hobby Lobby, so I wanted to get everything I might need while I was here.
I found these wood curtain rod rings that I thought might work.
I removed the little metal rings that are used to attach the rings to the curtains. Now I just had several wooden circles. I used an outdoor epoxy to attach the rings to the chandy.
Now for the fun part, painting it!! And guess who was visiting the day I ended up finishing this project? Peggy!! So Peggy and I took turns painting Mr.Chandy. I selected an cream color spray paint with a satin finish. After he was painted, we hung him out to dry (I just like saying that). Peggy and I decided to make use of our time while he dried, so I grabbed our UTV, and we took off down the gravel road for a ride. The weather was perfect, and we had a glorious ride but, back to our project. When we returned, we added the glass votive holders with the epoxy.
And here’s our big reveal.
Later, as the sun was setting, the light began to play on the glass, giving it a warm glow.
By dinner time, I put some tea lights in the chandy so we would have some light for our al fresco meal. I actually tried using the flameless tealights since cleaning wax out of the glass holders wouldn’t be easy.
How glorious! I absolutely love it. Great idea to use the rings. It’s beautiful, as are your photos! How do you manage to take such beautiful pictures? Thank you for sharing!
xoxo
Kathleen
Oh my gosh! I love this whole story and the chandie turned out wonderful! I am working on a chandie project right now too. Having a little problem myself, but I know it will all work out. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love your “chandy” makeover Anita!!! It looks so romantic. I bet at dusk, having a little dinner under the chandy with the candles lit, is going to be absolutely dreamy!
♥Linsey
Anita, it looks fabulous. I love the way you added the candles.
It looks wonderful! So great to have friends with chandies to give away.
Have a great upcoming weeek.
That looks so pretty on your porch and I just LOVE the color you chose. I had a similar problem with a candelabra I converted from electric to candles, those little metal screw things were poking up. I found you can buy shorter ones and they hold the inner workings together and don’t stick up and get in the way of the candle. I bought them at Lowe’s in the lighting section. But your solution is ingenious!
wow luv luv the chandelier.
Would luv for my readers to discover your blog, will you please join our weekly party at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
have a great crafting week!
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com
Hey, Anita! What a sweet friend! From giving away free chandys to visiting you at the ranch. Love how this project turned out. And aren’t you clever using those curtain rings! Good for you! I’ve wanted a candlelier for my back porch but have always wondered about the amount of wind we get here in OK. And of course never thought about gluing the votives in place. HELLO!!! Perfect solution.
That is so pretty–love what you did with it!
Anita, it’s perfect! What a great friend you have in Peggy! I love the way you fixed the curtain rings and votives to your chandy! Great idea! Love it!
Very pretty! Love what you did with it!
Beautiful as usual. I’m convinced you should do a Christmas tour for Christmas bloggers that are near and give the proceeds to a local cause just a thought!I would totally be there!!!!
The romance of it! It’s just gorgeous!
First, I am so jealous you get to have two outdoor spaces to use and enjoy most of the year. Here in Maine.. not so. I love the way you converted the chandelier to be used with candles. What a great idea!! Lovely how it turned out.. you did a great job and it looks perfect in your outdoor dining area! Love it!
Everything comes to he who waits! It looks wonderful. It often seems to be the way that the projects you have difficulty getting started turn out so well. You came up with the perfect solution.
Love the transformation of the chandy. It looks great!
Have a wonderful week.
isn’t that a fabulous addition! is peggy a wee bit jealous now?
Hi lovely lady.
I love the redo you did looks Gorgeous now with all the work you have put in to it.
I also love your dinner Beef Stroganoff this was my dinner also on my new tablescape funny.
I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my tablescape for Veterans Day.
XXOO Diane
OH that is a beautiful chandelier!! I had the same issue with several I made over — I used epoxy and glued metal washers over the screws, stacking them until I got a flat surface and then spray painted them the same color as the chandelier. Like minds 🙂 Your porch is just lovely!
GORGEOUS!!!!
Thats all I can say
Debbie
P.S. Thanks for following me…..now I can follow you too.
Dear Anita,
I love the old forks and spoons. Your candelas it is so beautiful!!!
It looks great – just wish I had been able to stay that evening for the yummy dinner and candlelight, but I have to get off the two lane windy roads before dark. I am so happy you have the chandelier and so happy you turned it into such a beauty. You have blessed me with so much so many times, I am glad that I have a few things that you can use – and make into something so beautiful. You have made my life so much better by being my friend. And I am so happy that you are doing this blog. Love you dear precious friend!
OMG,what a fabulous transformation! I love it…it looks so beautiful hung above your table too. Love your entire porch…it is just so warm and inviting :o)
~Des
I love it! The cream color is perfect…and your creativity with the rings & candle holders, etc. just adds the finishing touch.
xo
Pat
I am in awe! Seriously! How do you creative type people do this? I am amazed. I just pop over every chance I get to see what you’re up to next. Who knows…maybe it’ll rub off!
What a beautiful transformation! I love how it looks on the deck in a natural setting! I could sit there forever! Hugs, Leena
Lucky you to be in the right place at the right time and not get to excitied! Peggy sounds like a wonderful friend. The chandy looks wonderful in it’s new home. Nice trick with the curtain rings!
I can see why you were so giddy to get this chandy! You did a fabulous job on the makeover. Liked the chandy before, but love it after. I think I even see it smiling!
Love it, love it, love it. And a creekside deck. How wonderful
Anita- this is just wonderful!
Don’t you love it when you can find a solution that is even better than the first idea?
Woohoo!
Laura
White Spray Paint
Anita, I just saw this post on Charm Bracelet Diva. What an awesome transformation! The chandy looks amazing! I can only imagine the wonderful meals that will take place under this beauty! Great job!
Oh how gorgeous! I am so jealous. I am looking for a chandy like this for my dining room and cannot find one. I am a follower.
I love this Anita! A perfect touch for your porch. Nice job coming up with a creative solution!
So pretty, I did one like this using teacups and saucers. Love yours.
Great idea for the rings! I’ll have to remember that! It looks so beautiful! I would love dining out there!
Debbie
I’m surprised that Peggy didn’t want it back, Anita! lol! That turned out so beautifully – and you were so creative in making it work!!! Great job! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Hi Neighbor! I live near Waxahachie and just found your blog through your link at At the Picket Fence. I love your chandy & thought the rings really added to it. Looks great.
Anita you are amazing!!! That was the most clever solution and the chandy looks positively gorgeous in its new home! I absolutely love the new color on it and just think it is all beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
I don’t know which of your chandies I love more, Anita. The fork and spoon version is so unique, but I do so love the romantic look of your “remade” porch chandy.
Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you again this week.
Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Love this and will be featuring it this week on Thrifty Thursday! 🙂
I am so lazy occasionally, even though i have been reading your blog for sometime now I have not made a comment til now, just wanted to say im loving it!
That was such a clever solution to the little bolt thingy sticking up!, and your chandy looks just amazing!
Cindy
Love it !
Your visions are amazing. I really love the chandy but would have been just like Peggy, and off to GW it would have gone. I am hoping you will rub off on me and I will become a creative thinking person in my old age!!