Don’t You Just LOVE An Interesting Chandelier?

When it comes to decorating, I can only think of one thing that gets me more excited than interesting chandeliers and pendant lights.  That one thing, of course, is draperies.

You know why these things get me excited?  Over the last few years, since starting Kristi Linauer Interiors, I’ve been in many homes, and one of the first things I notice when I walk into people’s homes is that most people completely ignore draperies and chandeliers, and only decorate the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of their rooms.  Furniture, tables, lamps, rugs, baskets, etc.–these things fill up the bottom 1/2 of the room, but there’s nothing to bring the eye UP.

So when I see people putting time and attention into draperies and chandeliers, I want to jump up and down with excitement.  And I get even MORE excited when people put some imagination into it.  Oh, anyone can go to a store, purchase a chandelier, and hang it in their home.  Don’t get me wrong!  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, and I’ve done it many times myself.  But I love it when people get creative and make their own, or find an old chandelier and repurpose it.

So imagine just how thrilled I was when I saw that the weekly themed link-up over at Funky Junk Interiors this past weekend was about CHANDELIERS!!

I’ve had fun with my share of chandeliers.  I currently have an apple green plastic chandelier hanging above my breakfast room table!

I like that it’s different! After all, how many apple green chandeliers have you seen?!

And then there’s this one that I did for John & Alice’s master bathroom…

I found that chandelier at ReStore for $25. It was originally shiny brass, so I painted it with Rustoleum Painter’s Touch spray paint in the color Oregano, and then wrapped the arms with jute for some added texture. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!

Now the first chandelier I ever painted was a monstrous thing that was given to me by a client when she had it replaced with a fancy new chandelier. It started out as a gold/brassy chandelier with clear crystals. I envisioned a black chandelier…the whole thing…even the crystals…

That thing is hard to photograph, but in person, I think it’s gorgeous. Sadly, right now it’s sitting in storage. Perhaps when I get around to decorating my office, I’ll pull it out and use it in there.

Oh, I do love a painted chandelier! But I also enjoy creating my own lighting from scratch.

Probably the one that got the most attention was this pendant light that I made out of drinking straws…

Yep, that’s 1500 drinking straws, cut in half.

I think this would be great in a kid’s room or play room, but I’ve also wanted to make these out of a combo of white and transluscent straws for a more contemporary look that could be used in an adult space. BUT…there’s no room in my condo, so I’ll have to wait until a project comes along where these would be appropriate.

And then there’s this cute little thing that I made out of paper pulp egg cartons and a strand of Christmas lights…

I think that would be adorable in a nursery, or as a feminine touch in a woman’s office.

The final pendant light that I can remember making was this one that I made out of an old globe…

Sadly, that’s in storage, too. I’d love to use that in an adventure/explorer themed boy’s room. I know, I know…I’m generally opposed to themed rooms, but when done right, they can be fantastic!

So those are my creations. Here are some others that really caught my eye.

First up, Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors did this amazing twig chandelier. I would imagine that took TONS of patience, but definitely worth the effort!!

This faux capiz shell chandelier over at The Little Apartment absolutely blew me away. Can you tell what it’s made of?

And here is another that shows the power of paint, from Red Hen Home…

And then this yellow beauty from Nana Moon Shop…

So have you revamped an old chandelier, or made one from your own imagination from scratch? If so, I’d love to see it! Leave a link below in the comments, and I’ll come pay you a visit and see your creation. Oh, and be sure to go over to Funky Junk Interiors and add your link to Donna’s link party so that others can see your creation as well!

Don’t forget! Your comment enters you into this month’s drawing for a $100 gift card to the home products store of the winner’s choosing. More info here.