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What to do with ornate chandelier?

8 years ago
Our new house has a very ornate shiny brass and crystal chandelier in the dining room. I would like to either replace, or give this one a makeover but have no idea where to find any info about it. It does not work with our style as is, and everyone who walks in comments on it in a surprised (Whoa! Chandelier) way!

Where do I find more info? I can’t find anything similar through exhaustive online search. Info that would help...if I give it a makeover am I ruining a valuable piece? If I sell it, how do I know if it’s a $50 chandelier, or a $500 chandelier?

Comments (27)

  • 8 years ago

    You could try contacting a local antique shop and asking them to look at it and make you an offer. It will be low, as they will have to mark it up, but it might give you an idea of the value.

  • 8 years ago
    i wouldn't do a makeover. I would either deinstall and wait until the Chandeliers are in.. also are they glass components or acrylic? what is the manufacturer and date too? that can help a lot.
  • 8 years ago

    can you take off the saucers and dangles? reassess.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    it depends where you sell it, what your target audience is

    we bought our entry chandelier on Craigslist, some folks were getting rid of their parents' stuff, that didn't spell anything of value to them. I liked it a lot and we payed 70$ that they asked and happily took it home

    Year or so later, I was spending time on 1stDibs, very expensive site for everything imaginable and unimaginable, world wide level. All best vintage and antique dealers have shops there.

    That's how I stumbled upon similar chandelier-same glass(very distinctive so no mistakes here), albeit a bit different design..it happenned to be Bohemian glass by some prominent manufacturer from 30 s..it was listed for 9K

    Now, my perceived value of it wouldn't be 9 K, maybe because I don't have 9 K to pay for chandeliers either, unlike most 1stDibs customers

    But it's not 70 bucks either))

    I'd say it's a happy middle, if I look at good contemporary lighting of somewhat matching quality.

    So. No, no makeovers. It's too well made. It can be to one's taste or not, but don't makeover it.

    Try saypoint's advice. Or you can write to sites like Chairish or Everything But The House..try to see what they say. Maybe Chairish, as EBTH prefers to have many pieces/collections, rather than talk over one item.

  • 8 years ago
    We moved into our house not too long ago and the previous homeowner put their crystal chandelier over the bathtub. I’ve always loved chandeliers and wish they were in style. It’s still up because it’s kind of grown on me and does ok with the vintage mirror I hung over the tub, but if I was selling, I would update it. We have gone back and forth about it. Pinterest has some painted chandeliers, but I think it cheapens them and would only work in maybe in a Kids room. I say if it works with your room and you love it, then embrace it and let the world know you love it, but if you have a different style in the room, then it’s time to sell it or put it away until it’s back in...or stick it over your tub (just kidding).
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If you don't like it and it doesn't suit your style, try selling it. You could also remove the glass trays/hanging beads and paint the metal and the glass and place in a bedroom. I painted one a soft green for my daughter's room and it was really cute.

    Here is a link for different looks. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/243475923582432820/

  • 8 years ago

    There are tests you can do to determine whether you have solid brass or brass plated metal.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    It does look to be a well made one from your picture, possibly solid brass. Someone might offer you good money for it. I lived with a ugly chandelier for a while. It was a cheap thing, fake brass paint stuff over pop metal. I took it down sanded it and sprayed it with a pewter look spray paint. Put the small clip on shades on bulbs. It looked OK.

    But yours looks to be a better made one.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    That's an expensive chandelier, not a cheap one. Sell it if you don't care for it.

    You can ask two or three local lighting shops if they recognize the chandelier from your photo. It may have been installed when the house was built or last redecorated. Judging from the wallpaper and border, that may have been in the 1990's.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I would spray all brass in black. Here is an article how to do it.

  • 8 years ago

    If not your style remove but I wouldn't spray paint. I think it will look like one of those things that wasn't meant to be spray painted. Someone out there will like it and buy it. I think the trays would look better if they weren't scalloped but I do like it. I understand wanting to replace if it doesn't work for you.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    found several all different..one for couple and a half K on 1stDibs..but more streamlined than yours..was many thousands then seller reduced the price (very sensible of him I'd say) t different concept, less chrystal, less bulbs

    https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/chandeliers-pendant-lights/restored-brass-chandelier-manner-tommi-parzinger/id-f_6445583/

    this one is more fussy than yours

    https://www.foundrylighting.com/product/allegri-025350-vivaldi-10-light-chandelier-in-two-tone-gold-24k/

    I like yours much better. like, much much better. There will be folks like me too. How much they'd pay? No idea. Will depend on how much they'll want to afford to pay I guess.

    Checked some Schonbeck..because could be it too. hard to say. Does it have a stamp anywhere?

    sell if you dislike it. Try to get an opinion beforehand on the pricing. It's a good one. Good craftsmanship. Good materials. Good bones.

    You might get several hundreds for it..which is not really fair if one looks at today's lighting, but that's what others will strive to pay I guess..buy other light you really love. And consider vintage:) They can come in plenty of styles.

  • 8 years ago

    Jenn, we had the same situation with a crystal chandelier and sconces in the home we bought. The previous owner had passed away, and we were clueless about the fixtures. With some research and luck with papers found in a hall closet, we discovered they're from Waterford. So far all we've done is take them down and place in storage. Some online research has shown they could be very expensive...or not so much.

  • 8 years ago

    If the metal is attracted to a magnet, it’s not brass. Did you determine if the rest is glass or plastic?

    I have no idea what it’s worth, but I’d be surprised if the previous owner would let a really valuable chandelier go with the house unless they were wealthy or didn’t know its value.

    It would be interesting to do as ninigret said and remove the bobeche rings and dangles. If that center section isn’t one piece or welded together, I bet you could get 2 chandeliers out of that light. Of course, you’d have to visit the parts’ dept. of a lamp repair shop for some fittings.



  • 8 years ago

    Google Czech/Bohemian chandelier

  • 8 years ago

    I think it could be quite stunning without the crystal and saucers. If you like brass, there will be just enough bling left to make it special. You may also be able to remove the upper and lower globes if you do not like them since most chandeliers are out together (stacked) on a central rod.

  • 8 years ago

    It just seems out there because the rest of the room is still 80s country manor or whatever. What if you fixed up the dining room your style--then would it work better?

    (Don't mess it up--it's too nice.)

  • 8 years ago

    that is a beautiful chandelier. Find someone who loves it and gift it or sell it. DON'T remake it. Someone got their dream come true when they bought it. Really. I hope you find someone that loves it to become the new owner.

  • 8 years ago

    I am into Chandys and can tell you that yours is a nice one. Do not alter in any way. Since they’re not in high demand now, It’s unlikely you’ll get a good price for it. Store it in the attic until they come back in style or your taste changes. Tastes do change, I assure you.

  • 8 years ago

    There was a chandy in the DR when we bought this house, but I already owned a bronze/crystal chandy that I wanted to use instead. I didn't want to deal with selling the original chandy so I decided to repurpose it. Since my walk-in closet in the BR had horrible fluorescent lighting we decided to install the chandy there. I now have good lighting and a nicer looking closet.

    Once stored you'll probably never drag it out again, so my suggestion is to either sell it, donate it or repurpose it.

  • 8 years ago
    I am so glad I posted this here! Thank you all! I truly appreciate the feedback. I did the magnet test, and it doesn’t attract...I’m quite surprised because it’s so shiny brassy I didn’t even give a thought to it being solid brass. I have tried to find any marking on it whatsoever and have come up with nothing. All the pieces are separate, I’ve tried taking some off the bottom to find a marking.

    @fori funny you say to transition to more our style and see if it looks better...it’s been the opposite, it stands out like a sore thumb now.

    I love the crystals...and yes, they are all glass. It’s the brass I struggle with, which was why I considered refurbishing it. But like a few others mentioned, I don’t want to ruin a great/valuable piece with my own DIY handiwork. I think I’ll go the route of some local lighting people and see what I can find. Thanks again!
  • 8 years ago

    If it's the shiny brass you dislike would it be better if it was a satin finish, like a brushed nickel but with the brass? Maybe the brass can be burnished or whatever to a satin finish.

    I had some drawer pulls redone on a desk I refinished. I didn't want to replace the pulls because that meant drilling new holes but they were in bad shape,they were plated brass and the brass was wearing off. I found a place that did electro plating and had choice of finishes, satin finish was what I chose. I wonder if a similar kind of choice, satin finish, can be done with your lamp. I would imagine that the lamp would need to be taken all apart to do this.

    Also, FYI, your lamp probably has some sort of clear coat on it to keep it from tarnishing. Also, I remember seeing some old antique lamps that the had refurbished so they did do a variety of items. The only reason I thought of having the drawer pulls redone was there is a electroplating place I frequently drive by.

  • 8 years ago

    I just Googled how to remove shiny finish from brass and found this. Remove finish and let it age naturally.

    https://www.danslelakehouse.com/2016/06/diy-brushed-aged-brass-knobs-experiment.html

    Also, you can cover /paint/replace the white "candles" to a different color, tan, black, whatever color you want. You can even buy replacements.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Don't alter it. Just sell it to someone who values it, and go find you what you do want. Not everyone wants a lifesize Model T in their garage...but there are plenty of those that would build one, a nice home! :D

  • 8 years ago

    It is a nice looking chandelier, but it will be very difficult to sell. I've tried and no go. I don't think its an antique. Post a picture on Nextdoor and ask if anyone is interested.

  • 8 years ago

    "Ornate chandelier" that looks like an expensive one from here , if you don't like it sell it but do not touch it, and please remove that laundry rack from the dining room it really doesn't belong there .