Fun lighting project

I love projects, big ones, little ones, it doesn't matter. I recently came across an old brass light fixture courtesy of my late father-in-law, much like me he could see the potential in anything. My husband and I along with several family members were helping my mother-in-law clean up the barn space at their house, and I came across this light fixture. My poor husband took one look at our newly acquired piece, and turned up his nose. "One more thing we have to bring home, and this thing is ugly." I however disagreed!!

A few weekends later, just to let my husband stew over how this was going to turn out, I finally got started. First thing I did was wash it with soap and water, and took off the glass hardware so I could put it in the dishwasher for a good cleaning. I used a piece of sandpaper, 220 grit, to rough up the surface to prepare it to take the spray paint I was going to use. I went to my local home improvement store and purchased satin finish black spray paint, 5 light bulbs, and 5 small lamp shades, $38 later I was ready to get started painting. I did get schooled from hubby about how to correctly apply spray paint, so for those, like myself, who need a little direction...hold the spray can about 8-10 inches away from what you want to spray, and use short, quick sprays until you get the coverage that you desire. This may take several coats to get the desired coverage.
After letting it dry for several hours and after the glass was cleaned in the dishwasher, I started putting it back together with beautiful results! The lampshades and clean glass against the new black metal looked stunning!

Final step was the hanging, not being familiar with the ins and outs of electricity, I called in my hubby for help, who seeing the finished product was now excited to help me hang this! I turned off the breaker to my daughter's room, and got ready to take the old fixture down. It was far easier than I had expected, a few screws undone, and wire nuts connecting the new wires we were set. The finished product is fabulous. 

My daughter's room looks wonderful with this new light fixture in place along with the wrought iron bed frame and old make-up dresser from Grandpa as well (although a project not yet finished). Her room looks perfect for a little girl ready to grow up way too fast with a few great memories of Grandpa!! We miss you, but see you all around us!