anthropologie style antler chandalier makeover

I had breakfast with my Interior Designer friend Sidney this week (amazing home tour post of her loft coming this week by the way) and we were musing about design and DIY projects. She told me about a blogger pal of hers at Hello from the Natos who had turned a cheap-o Home Depot antler lighting into one that looked like the one right out of the Anthropologie catalog.

Y'all, this is legit. Here is the Anthro version:

Pure bliss. For the low low price of $1,998. 

Sorry, I just passed out. Two GRAND!?!? A bit out of my price range. But there's hope because the Home Depot version is only $189...

Um, yeah. This leaves a little something to be desired. I was actually embarrassed with this in my cart at the Depot and had to refrain from telling everyone that glanced in our direction that I understood that the light was ugly but I have plans for it. See!? I have spray paint in the cart! Please don't judge me.

But at only 1/10 of the cost of the Anthro one, I got over myself and picked it up along with 2 cans of spray paint and some chandelier bulbs and GOT TO WORK on my Anthro hack.

Here's how to do this for $200 and in only about 24 hours.

SUPPLIES:

• Antler light fixture from Home Depot
• Flat white spray primer - I used Rustoleum Ultra Cover 2X
• Matte/flat finish spray paint - Rustoleum flat protective enamel (I only needed one can)
• Painter's tape
• Drop cloth
• Random screw drivers and a friend for installation - follow package instructions

ASSEMBLE: The assembly instructions are actually pretty straightforward and the whole thing only took about 5 minutes to put together. A couple of tips:

Take off the faux-candle pieces that slip on the branches. Put a strip of blue painter's tape over the light socket to protect it from the paint. 

Then slide the candle cover back on. You will be smarter than me and make sure the wax is dripping DOWN and not UP, because things don't drip up on earth.

Also, save the plastic sleeve that was covering the chain in the package and slide it over the cord and aircraft cable. Secure with painter's tape. Now you don't have to worry about accidentally painting the cord. It's clear-ish-silver, so it looks great as is.

PAINT: Make yourself a little painting station outside. I would STRONGLY recommend painting this in a hanging position rather than trying to do it on the floor and constantly rotate it. You'll end up with drips and it will take a hundred times longer. I hung mine by the chain from a plant hook by the garage and draped a tarp behind it. Did the trick.

Don't forget to also paint the junction box cover that goes on the ceiling. Like I nearly did.

You guys, if I didn't say it before, I'm saying it now. This thing is eat up with ugly. No offense if you actually like it from the photo. It's much worse in person.

Grab your paint and get going.

Here's what it looks after 1 coat of primer. I only did one because it covered pretty well. I also painted the chain at the same time. Yes, in theory if the chain moves around you'll see some of that yellow/brown color, but I don't really anticipate we'll do much swinging from the chandelier. Our parties aren't that wild these days.

Time for the top coats. I used matte white paint to make it look more like natural antlers. You could go high gloss if you want a super posh look, but that's not really me.

Here's how it looked after 1 coat of spray paint. The trick with this, like any spray painting, is to do very light even coats. Start to one side of the piece, spray across, and let go. Repeat. Don't just hold the trigger down and wave it around like you're styling your beehive for prom. Unlike prom, this actually matters.

Follow the instructions on your can for recoating. Mine said to recoat within 20-60 minutes or I had to wait 24 hours, so I recoated every 45 minutes or so.

I wound up doing 4 really light coats until I was happy with it. I let it dry overnight in the garage.

HANG IT: I removed the painter's tape and flipped the candle covers so they were dripping per the laws of gravity. There was a slight brown ring at the top, which I decided I could live with. You can't really tell once the light is in. Thankfully, you will not have this problem.

If you've never hung a pendant light fixture, I'd highly recommend you checking out this tutorial from Young House Love. They took lots of photos, unlike me, who was assisting the Hubs and trying to keep my two children from killing themselves while we did this. Max nearly swallowed one of the wire nut covers that Henry stole - and then promptly lost - from the table. Ah, the joys of parenting.

We also installed a $10 dimmer switch while we were at it which is super simple. Turn off the power, take the old switch off, and wire the new one matching the wires up per the manufacturer's instructions.

The dining room before. The light wasn't bad, which is why in a year and a half we hadn't replaced it, but it wasn't doing it for me. But I sold it for $20 on Facebook before we even had the new light up. Booya!

Dining room after!

Designer tip: When you're hanging your chandelier, 30" off the table surface to the bottom of the fixture is the sweet spot. Low enough for good ambiance but not so low that people will be hitting their heads or staring into the light. Leave a little extra slack so you can do some final adjustments.

   

I'm so happy with how it turned out. It definitely looks more expensive than the $200 I paid for it and such a great alternative to dropping $2,000. Now I just need to hang curtains, make a runner, hang up some vintage plates on the wall, sew some napkins...

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