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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

One Chandelier at a Time


As much as I am enjoying our new house, I vowed from the first day that I would change out a majority of the builder-grade light fixtures that most new construction houses come with.  I may not have an adorable farmhouse cottage or stately home with rich old character, but my intent is to slowly infuse as much vintage charm as I can into our suburbian home.  The first change out was in the dining room last month...

I purchased this chandelier from Ballard Designs through their "Bring Home Ballard" sale and saved about a $100 doing so.  This was my first Ballard purchase.  As much as I love their stuff, I can't afford it most of the time.  This was also the first "new" chandelier I've ever bought.  I usually scrounge around flea markets, yard sales, etc for vintage chandeliers, but I've always loved the branch-style chandeliers, so I splurged a bit...
Since I've been focusing on completing the dining room and adjoining formal living room, the next light fixture I wanted to tackle was this basic ceiling mount fixture...
This may sound a bit crazy, but I've literally been collecting vintage chandeliers for several years.  I've just been waiting until our family finally landed after moving twice in the past year!  I literally have been lugging these things across the country, so I finally spent a couple of hours on Sunday scrubbing and re-habbing my favorite glass chandelier.
This was a very dirty chandelier, but after taking every strand of crystals off and washing them in mild dish soap and rinsing them in a mixture of warm water and windex, I finally got it shining to it's former glory again.
My husband and I hung it up afterwards and all that washing was worth it!
Much better than that old fixture, huh?
And the best part is that it's just in time for Christmas...
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33 comments:

  1. Teresa@1800 Farmhouse RdTue Dec 20, 05:59:00 PM 2011

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your vintage chandy! It shines as if it is brand new! I am so impressed. Five years ago when we built our house, you couldn't have given me chandies, now I am dying to replace my fixtures, but they are so costly! Great job you did!

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  2. Sonny GTue Dec 20, 06:00:00 PM 2011

    Its beautiful... good for you getting what you wanted.

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  3. UnknownTue Dec 20, 06:01:00 PM 2011

    LOVE.... I'm crazy for Chandeliers too I have one in every room.. some of my friends make fun of me But I really don't care.. your are beautiful.. keep on hang'in... Merry Christmas to you and your family

    Pattie

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  4. Rosemary@villabarnesTue Dec 20, 06:25:00 PM 2011

    Your home is beautiful, and you've given it some wonderful vintage touches. Love the chandies.

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  5. ℳartina @ Northern NestingTue Dec 20, 07:57:00 PM 2011

    I LOVE your new chandy from Ballards!! Your home is beautiful!!

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  6. ChasityTue Dec 20, 08:57:00 PM 2011

    Your home is beautiful & I love love ur chandeliers!!!

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  7. Erin of Salvaged WhimsyTue Dec 20, 10:18:00 PM 2011

    LOVE both chandeliers - but I think the crystal one is my fave. I know I've said it before, but I just love your blog and look forward to your new posts! Your home is gorgeous!

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  8. Lisa @ Fern Creek CottageTue Dec 20, 10:49:00 PM 2011

    I love and adore them both!! Two absolutely gorgeous chandeliers! They add such beauty and character to the rooms!

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  9. TracyTue Dec 20, 10:51:00 PM 2011

    Your chandy looks just FABULOUS there, I love it and am jealous because I'm so dying to have one and don't have an overhead light fixture in my dining room. :(

    I love the twiggy one too, it's just beautiful and I've been eyeing up one just like it. All I need is a cheap electrician to run the wiring for me, ha!

    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog. Take care and have a very Merry Christmas!

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  10. AnonymousWed Dec 21, 12:20:00 AM 2011

    All I can say is you are fabulous and I will leave it at that! I am adding you my google reader so I won't miss anything!

    blessings,

    karianne

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  11. At The Picket FenceWed Dec 21, 07:52:00 PM 2011

    SOOOOO gorgeous!! My jaw drops open a little bit every time I come over here as I take in all of the loveliness of your home! :-)
    Vanessa
    P.S. We are going to be featuring your DIY wrapping paper tomorrow at Inspiration Friday so be sure to stop by!

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  12. foreverdecoratingWed Dec 21, 10:56:00 PM 2011

    Your decor is so lovely and your choice in chandy's is exciting to see. I love them too. Great job and so pretty.

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  13. Lakeshore Cottage LivingThu Dec 22, 12:13:00 PM 2011

    Hey there Kristen! I am so glad you clicked on the FOLLOW button on my blog so that I could find YOU!! I featured you this week on my blog...I hope that is ok! I love all that you are doing and your decorations are so beautiful. Merry Christmas. I hope you have a very blessed week!

    Kristine

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  14. FABBY'S LIVINGThu Dec 22, 12:29:00 PM 2011

    Gorgeous vintage chandy Kristen, you did a great job leaving her looking sparkly! I have a daughter who's name is Sophia, came to visit you because I saw the name and you have a terrific blog, so I have become your newest follower, this way we'll get to know each other better. I love your gorgeous tree and your home is looking fabulous for the Holidays. Hope you visit my post. Merry Christmas!
    FABBY

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  15. time worn interiorsThu Dec 22, 04:40:00 PM 2011

    I'm loving the additon of all your chandeliers! Funny you are putting them up and I am taking them down. I've had chandeliers for so many years now (14 in all) and I've grown tired of them. Not sure what I'm putting in their place (right now just a bulb hanging) but I will figure it out!

    Have a Merry Christmas, maybe Santa will bring you another chandelier.


    tot

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  16. dee deeThu Dec 22, 07:04:00 PM 2011

    I am visiting from Lakeshore Cottage Living and am your nesest follower! Your home is so beautiful... you have a talented eye! Love your homemade wrapping paper! Dee Dee

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  17. Heaven's WalkThu Dec 22, 08:12:00 PM 2011

    Wowzers....that is one amazing chandy! I LUV it! And oh, yes....MUCH better than the other one. What a huge difference it made! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  18. UnknownThu Dec 22, 08:23:00 PM 2011

    This was well worth the hard work - your chandelier glistens! Your home is beautiful- I can't wait to explore your blog further. I'm a new follower!

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  19. Shabby chic SandyThu Dec 22, 08:44:00 PM 2011

    Looks so pretty--I love your tree too!

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  20. Katie @ Creatively LivingThu Dec 22, 09:05:00 PM 2011

    That is the most beautiful chandelier! The mantel is lovely too!

    --Katie
    www.blah2beautiful.blogspot.com
    Creatively Living

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  21. Katie {Miss Dixie}Fri Dec 23, 10:32:00 AM 2011

    I absolutely love your tree and that chandelier is stunning. I am trying to switch out builder grade light fixtures as well, slowly but surely! I am a new follower, love your blog.

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  22. Courtney ~ French Country CottageFri Dec 23, 11:09:00 AM 2011

    Gorgeous!!! Love it! Thanks for linking up at FNF! :)

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  23. AnonymousFri Dec 23, 03:07:00 PM 2011

    Greetings from Southern California.

    I am your Newest Follower.

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! :-)

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  24. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereFri Dec 23, 08:28:00 PM 2011

    Hi Kristen, Your home is GORGEOUS and so beautifully decorated for Christmas. Your chandys are fabulous and I don't think it is strange at all to collect them. I have two in my attic now waiting for our next house. Thanks for linking to the Open House party and Happy Holidays!
    Sherry
    ps: Now following

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  25. TammyFri Dec 23, 11:15:00 PM 2011

    It looks beautiful Kristen..I adore it. I bet that was a job cleaning all those crystals.
    Headed to the flea market tomorrow with kids and hubby in tow. Figured it would be something different to do on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    tammy

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  26. AJ @ Happy MisadventuresMon Dec 26, 08:03:00 AM 2011

    Wow, what a gorgeous chandelier! I can definitely see why you've been lugging it across the country! ;)

    xoxo!

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  27. The Charm of HomeTue Dec 27, 01:29:00 AM 2011

    Your chandy is gorgeous! Thanks for linking it to HSH.
    Sherry

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  28. Debra@CommonGroundWed Dec 28, 06:29:00 PM 2011

    Hi Kristin, this chandy is just fabulous, great job. It totally transforms your living room! Thanks so much for joining in for VIF, I'll be featuring this post Thursday, xo

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  29. TammyThu Dec 29, 03:08:00 PM 2011

    Hi Kristen -
    This is my first time visiting your blog. IT IS FABULOUS!! So love the new chandy and those blue, it it dupioni silk drapes? BEAUTIFUL!!
    Happy New YEar!
    Tammy

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  30. AnonymousFri Dec 30, 10:23:00 AM 2011

    I love your vintage chandy! This is an amazing transformation! Your blog is lovely, as is your home! I'm coming over from Debra's Common Ground. I'm a new follower! I love your blog!

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  31. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comFri Jan 20, 01:47:00 PM 2012

    I think your chandelier is almost the same as mine. You are so right about being a pain to wash.

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  32. savvycityfarmerFri Jan 20, 07:13:00 PM 2012

    it's beautiful!!
    and an improvement



    did I mention it's beautiful
    thanks for linking

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  33. From G2BFri Jun 22, 04:09:00 PM 2012

    I've been poking through you archives- there are so many gorgeous posts. I love your "new" home and how you've decorated it!
    I was wondering where you got your dining room table from? The one under your new chandy?
    Thanks so much!
    xo Becca

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Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a sweet comment! I read each and every one of them and they brighten my day!