I have tons of lovely memories of hanging out at my grandparents Doman’s house. And I have been very blessed in the gifts of their stuff that they bequeathed on me both when they were alive, after Grandpa died and as inheritance after Grandma died. When my relations visit my house, most note how much stuff in my house came from my grandparents — some people are pleased this old “junk” found a affectionate home, from others I get the sense they think I’m a bit of a bandit — but I was in the right place at the right time and wasn’t overly picky on what was “dumped” on me. One of the reasons I like this house so much is all of my inherited pieces are from the same time period and so it fits.

Anyway,  one of my fixtures in my grandparents’ house was their formal livingroom light fixtures and was pleased when Grandma took them with her when she downsized after Grandpa’s death. I was even more pleased when Mom asked it I wanted them! I love sparkly things and these are the kings of bling! When I lived at the Rex, I had one of them hanging in my bedroom for a while. But then I move down stairs and replaced the fixture with something more suitable for my renter. The chandeliers have been in a box since. And this was making me sad.

I knew I wanted to replace the ugly “boob lights” in my new house but wasn’t sure what I wanted. I remembered Grandma’s chandeliers but they are brass and I don’t really care for brass and nothing else in my house is brass, so I tried to look for a better option. But after almost 2 years in this house, I came to the conclusion that all of the other fixtures I like are too spendy for my budget and decided to give Grandma’s lights a second look.

So much sparkle — all of the pieces spread out on my desk.

I posted this picture on a few internet sites to see if anyone had any input of their value. Turns out there isn’t much.

If was going to hang them, they can’t be brass but I was torn about if painting them would “ruin” them. I asked the internet — they said “no.” I asked Mom if she would mind me painting them and she emphatically stressed that they are mine and I could do what I want with them. So let’s paint!

I didn’t take pictures of the painting but here is the hall light installed.

base hung in the hall. As usual – was harder to install than it should have been.

In the hall — all assembled and lit. Pretty!

In hall — all assembled and unlit. So much nicer than the horrible boob light!

It was a week or so after I got the hall light in before I tackled the kitchen. Thought it would be a breeze after struggling with the hall light. Turns out it was worse! Shocked myself (3 times actually — but the second 2 were almost expected and not as bad as the first, which inspired some really colorful language and almost knocked me off of my stool.)

The braker box — sent this to Dad to see if I was smart enough to replace what I thought was a blown breaker — turns out, not blown, just some dumb wiring on kitchen switches.

Good to know I am smart enough to swap out a braker — could be handy to know at some point. I think the wiring in the kitchen used to be controlled by 2 switches (both on different lines, which is super strange.) Anyway, 4 hours on a ladder and trip to the hardware store in the middle and I finally got it hung.

Finally installed in the kitchen — light off. So lovely!

Finally hung in kitchen! Such a pain but worth it. Also noticing the bulbs get really warm to stand under.

Love them! Going to tackle the dining room light next — probably another DIY glam up (since the fixture I want is $400 and that isn’t going to make it into the budget.) I hope Grandma is smiling down and enjoying the incarnation of her beloved chandeliers. Happy I can have this new reminder of them lighting my life every day.