Studio Light Makeover…Again (Attempt #2)
I wish I had more studio progress to share with you today, but I don’t. It’s not that progress hasn’t been made. I’ve been working diligently in there, but some of these projects for that room just take a long time. And at some point, the progress becomes boring. When you’ve already seen what I’m working on, I don’t want to share posts like, “I got five more doors and drawers gold leafed, and four more cabinet doors trimmed out!” That’s just not interesting. 😀
But I do have a small update to share because this was kind of a group project. A few days ago, I shared a little makeover that I had done on the pendant lights on the mural wall of the studio. The lights started out looking like this. (Please excuse the dust!)
But as the room progressed, and I got the mural up and the cabinets painted, the all black pendant lights started looking too heavy and imposing to my eye. So I removed the shades, pulled out some gold and white spray paints, and gave them a quick makeover. They looked like this…
I liked them much better like that. The gold and white took away some of that visual heaviness, but I wasn’t crazy about the final color of the gold spray paint. To me, the shade needed actual gold leaf. Again, I don’t use real gold leaf. I use this imitation gold leaf (affiliate link).
Before going the gold leaf route, I actually tried Rub N Buff first. I didn’t like it at all, and it made a huge mess of my shade that I had to spend way too much time cleaning up, which is why the shade in the picture below looks like a complete mess. So after I got it cleaned up (including quite a bit of sanding), I brushed on two coats of Speedball Mona Lisa Super Thick Adhesive Size (affiliate link) to the whole inside of the shade. I only use the super thick adhesive size because it doesn’t run and drip like the thinner stuff. When the adhesive is applied, it appears a milky white color.
You know it’s dry when it turns clear and shiny. When you no longer see any milky white spots, you know it’s ready for the metal leaf to be applied.
Here’s what the inside of the shade looked like after the inside was completely gold leafed.
There were a couple of areas that looked a little too dark and cracked for my taste, so I just put another layer of adhesive over those areas, let it dry, and applied more metal leaf to bright it up a bit more. I also taped off the bottom edge of the outside of the shade and applied gold leaf to that bottom edge all around the shade. To me, that made a huge difference!
After letting those shades sit there for a couple of days, I finally decided to take the recommendation that several of you made and give the white a shinier clear coat. I liked the flat white paint, but since the shade is curvy, I knew a shinier finish would show off the pretty shape even better. So I gave the outside of the shade (including the bottom gold leaf accent) three coats of Rust-Oleum Painters Touch 2X in a clear glossy finish (affiliate link).
I then decided that I wanted to take the gold all the way and cover up all of the black on the lights. Since this is my room, and I can make things as flowery and feminine as I want, I proceeded to cover the canopy, cord, and whatever that other piece is called, in the Speedball adhesive and add gold leaf to all of those parts as well.
To do so, I didn’t take it down completely. I just loosened the nuts that hold the canopy to the ceiling junction box enough so that the canopy was no longer touching the ceiling, and then I proceeded with brushing the adhesive onto all of those parts.
After I applied the gold leaf to all of those parts, I reattached the shade and this is what the finished light looked like.
That’s quite a 180-degree difference from how it started! 😀 And I absolutely LOVE it! It’s just what I wanted these lights to be — light, airy, and feminine. I don’t think that I could get away with having these anywhere else in the house, but I think they’re perfect for my flowery, girly studio.
There is simply no faux metallic finish that will compare to real metal leaf. I’ve tried so many spray paints, pens, acrylic paints, alcohol inks, and waxes, and while some come very close, none of them look truly metallic when compared to an actual metallic shine. And there’s just something about gold leaf that I love so much. I think it’s the imperfection of it that gives it a delicate look that I like so much.
You can see what I’m talking about on the inside of the shade especially. While I did go back and cover over some of the darker areas with more gold leaf, my goal wasn’t to try to make it look perfect. (I don’t even know if perfection is possible with gold leaf!) I wanted some of that imperfection to stay because that’s the beauty of gold leaf.
I think this new (and final) look is much better than the first attempt. The first one was a step in the right direction, but it still looked heavy and dull. The current and final iteration looks so much lighter and brighter. I think it’s a perfect complement to my flowery, girly studio with the gold leafed pink cabinets.
Matt came into my studio a while back to see my mural + pink cabinet + gold leaf combo for the first time. He sat there looking at it for a minute, and then said, “Wow. I love it!” That’s not quite the response I was expecting from him after seeing my flowery, pink, girly wall, and I’m sure the look on my face showed complete shock when I turned to him and said, “REALLY? You like it?” He said, “I love it for you. It’s perfect for you. I’m very glad you have this for you.”
I swear, that man would support me no matter what I do. He’s just so encouraging. Yesterday, after I wrote my post about what I’d do with the breakfast room if I could do whatever I wanted to, I asked him, “What would you think if I said that I wanted to completely remodel the kitchen after we’re done with the addition?” Without even skipping a beat, he said, “Okay!” He’s seriously the best.
Anyway, I’m so close to finishing the mural wall in the studio. I can’t wait to get that finished and move on to the other sections! I really slowed myself down when I decided to gold leaf the cabinet doors and drawers. That’s a very slow process, but it’ll totally be worth it (to me!) when it’s finished. I think this studio is going to surpass my expectations when it’s finished, and I already had pretty high expectations before I started. And I’m not in a race, so I’ll take the time I need to take in order to get it right. I’ve been waiting years for this room to be finished, so I want it to be as close to perfect (again, for me!) as possible.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
oh my! You were so right to do this. I am always amazed when you show us things you have done and it looks so good….and then you say it isn’t quite right and keep working on it when I think it is already very good or excellent. This is another example of that. The finished product is SO-O-O-O good! I would have stopped several iterations ago, but you had a vision and kept on tweaking with a marvelous result. And yes, Matt is a wonderful partner, with good ideas, good vision, and great encouragement…a lot like you! Thanks for sharing all of this with us.
Whoever suggested the clear coat finish on the lights is awesome!
I didn’t think I’d like the gold on the canopy or cord, but once again you proved me wrong. They look fantastic.
The Pendants look soooooo gooooood! Shiny and all the way to the ceiling with white and gold was the way to go!
Love the finished lights!
These look amazing and I have to disagree, I think they could be used in lotsa places. So so good!
Oh, Kristi, when you said the canopy was going to stay black, I thought “well that won’t last”. I was right! And you were right! The gold leaf is 1000% better, perfect for your studio. I love it. Gold leaf is so much fun to work with. It makes such an spectacular change in an ordinary object. Thanks for sharing.
Your tenacity and talent never cease to amaze me. The lights are perfect.
Spectacular!
The pendant lights are gorgeous. And Matt? That guy is something else. 🙂
Those pendants look amazing!! So much better than the black, and I love black fixtures.
You nailed it Kristi!
The lengths you went to were absolutely worth it!
You nailed it! It never ceases to amaze me with you willingness and diligence to get things right regardless of the number of iterations a project goes through.
OMG I have to find something in my house I can gold leaf now!! It looks amazing!
Stunning!! You achieved perfection as usual!
Absolute perfection!!! I love the gold band and that you also did the rod and fixture attachment in gold. Your creativity is amazing. What a gorgeous room to dream and create in.
Wow!!! Just WOW!
WOW! Just WOW! The lights are GORGEOUS! It’s a home run!
Oh my word, I’m so happy you covered the cord and ceiling cap (or whatever it’s called lol). The remaining blAnd the shiny finish is perfect with the shiny gold. Good choices all the way around.
Oops! My finger slipped lol.
Was trying to add that the remaining black was very distracting. 😁
Absolutely perfect!
I LOVE the lights!!! I am amazed at the cord, how you even covered that with gold leaf…I had no idea it could be done. I almost feel like we have a part of this room, as you have collaborated with us to make it! I’m sure we make your brain explode when you read our comments, but you take them into consideration, and I think we all feel this is one blogger who appreciates us! You still give a hard NO if you feel strongly about something, as you should, but it’s nice to know you hear us out at least. Thanks for that! And I love that you are thinking about the kitchen remodel, just to make the whole house refreshed. I love that Matt is so supportive also. Mine always wants it his way.
Kristi,
I LOVE gold leaf!!
I’d fly down and help you if I could:)
The lamps are amazing!
Cheers,
Carla
I like the lights but what I like more is Matt’s reaction. You both are great partners Kristi!
WOW!!! Perfectly imperfect!
I couldn’t agree more, it’s perfect! I love everything about this room, I’m so happy for you!
……”ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR”…..!!!!
I literally gasped out loud when I got to the pic of the finished light! Oh. My. Word. Absolutely gorgeous! They’re just perfect for your studio. What a transformation. Totally worth the process!
Exactly what was needed!! You knew it! I admire your persistence to get the look you want. You never give up.
The lights are absolutely stunning! Good call!!
GORGEOUS!!
Well….that was the right decision !
The gold leaf really pulled the golden color of the mural out.
What really surprised me was the shiny clear coat of the white lamp making it look like porcelain which makes it look richer. Another job well done.
Love them! I want to try the gold leaf on some old lamps I am trying to update! Once again, you inspire me!👍
All I can say is that you are absolutely amazing and so talented. I love the makeover of your lighting. You totally made the right call, the black pendants were way to heavy looking for your beautiful room! The gold leafing and white are a perfect combination and addition to your studio.
Well, Kristi, you’ve done it again! Love these.
WOW!!! The light’s look amazing!!! I love them and agree that they are much better than the first attempt.
First time commenting, but I just had to say the light turned out beautifully. I love it.
Your lights are perfect!!!
That light is wonderful and fits beautifully in your “flowery, girly” studio. As Matt said it is absolutely perfect for you. So is that kind, supportive and wonderful man!
Kristi every time you have changed the lights I have loved them even more. I admire your attitude on creating your studio to be ‘a beautiful Kristi girly room to work in’. And I admire you never stopping to achieve getting it finished to make sure it will be exactly what you want it to be.
Fabulous! 😍🤩
The lamp “before and after” is like night and day. Gorgeous! You have such an eye.
I’ll be honest. I like the black. And THEN you did this! It’s amazing and beautiful. Perfect. I love how this is coming together. And I love how Matt supports you and loves you.
Simply perfect!! I am always amazed at your patience and tenacity for each project.
Your lights and Matt are awesome.
I’ve not worked with those products before would you mind educating me a bit about a couple things? Perhaps with LED bulbs this isn’t an issue but how does that adhesive/leafing tolerate heat? Any fire retardancy issues?
How will the leafing on the doors tolerate bumping?
I’m contemplating using, thought it best to educate myself more deeply from your experiences. Thanks for all you do sharing your PhD of DIY’ing.
Your lights: a brilliant feast for the eyes.
Matt and you: a heartwarming feast for the heart.
I had a long marriage of happiness and I am left with remembrances of a man who filled my days with joy. He supported me in every way and usually was part of bringing my ideas to life in our colorful home. His rare combo of initiative, willingness and generosity was noted by all who knew him during his 72 years of life.
Enjoy every minute you have together. My warm love to you and Matt.
This is beautiful! I was pro-black until this! Just a perfect jewelery to a happy wall!
Nailed it!
Sheer perfection!!!
the lamps are the “BOMB”!! Way to go!
You have elevated the look of the whole room just by spraying a can if glossy white and using gold leaf, Love it !
The lights are so pretty. I’m glad you did the whole thing gold as it looks like it belongs together. Just keep on keeping on!
Love the new lights
Whoever suggested the clear coat finish on the lights is awesome!
I didn’t think I’d like the gold on the canopy or cord, but once again you proved me wrong. They loos fantastic.
Wow what a wonderful difference the change in the lights makes. Kudos to you for doing this.
Absolutely stunning! LOVE that, it’s perfect!
100% improved! And it was very nice to start with. I think the shiny white looks so nice next to the white trim. And I LOVE the gold leaf. I’m trying to think of where I need it in my house!
I love how the lights turned out!!!! I don’t know if it’s possible to get them any prettier!!
You have taught us all so much about…everything. Beautiful result!
57 comments!
It IS lovely. I’m not a gold-trimmed person, by any stretch of the imagination. At all. HOWEVER, there are times when someone’s vision of what gold-trim can do or can be blows me out of the water.
This is one of those times.
Love the lights, with what you did.
Love how your lights came out–so pretty! 🤩
I really love these lights.They are beautiful!
The studio lights are beautiful! It looks fabulos!
Perfect. Just totally perfect.
Agree those pendent lamps do look much nicer now.
I love the pendants. The addition of the gold leaf and the glossy finish made them look so expensive. Your ideas constantly amaze me.
Absolutely LOVE the lights!! They are perfect for this room!
The lights really look beautiful, Kristi! You are doing a fabulous job… I love everything so much! And I am a neutral girl! But it’s a lovely, feminine room!
Perfect gold and white lamp. Yippee.
You are so right. The gold and white looks WAY better than the black. Great job as usual.
Kristi I think those lamps are my favourite project you have done. The black shades were not in your style but these are perfect. You will enjoy them every time you turn them on.