restore goods: $2 lantern before and after

a few days ago i posted my latest reveal on my friend paige's blog here.

for those of you who didn't make it over there i am going to reveal it on here too. (but you really should go over there to faith's place, cuz paige rocks and so does her blog.)



have you noticed how lanterns seem to be all over the place right now?

i found these two beauties while reading the blog, nest egg.

LOVE that pop of red. (hmmmmm....that would be fun in my kitchen.)

but alas, they are way beyond any budget i ever have. to be honest, i don't ever really have a budget....so, off to the thrift store i go!

at my local habitat for humanity restore, i found this little cutie....

i know what you're thinking.....CUTIE?????  isn't that an old ugly 80's brass cheap-O foyer light???

why, yes it is!!! and i only paid $2.00 for it.

i wasn't sure about the white star on the glass, but i thought the lines were good and i loved the detail of the flower on top...it reminded me of the one from nest egg.

stay tuned for some spray paint awesomeness.....

first, i took the light all apart and gave it a nice hot bath.

then, outside it went for a rustoleum  gloss white spray paint make-over.

and here is how it looks now, hanging in my hallway:

 (still need to touch up the ceiling paint)

sorry for all the pictures but since it was nearly impossible to get a decent picture with the lighting in this hallway, i decided to bombard you with half-decent pictures. ;)  you get the picture, right?

here is what my hallway light looked like before:

 

i am loving the new look of the lantern. and for $2 plus a can of spray paint.......now that is good!

remember my other restore re-do spray paint project?

go here to see the transformation of this $7 chandalier.

i hope you have been inspired by this little re-do. these lanterns are everywhere in thrift stores. habitat restores are GREAT for lighting...go here to see if there is one in your area.

(if you decided to take on a lighting re-do, please, pretty please have an experienced electrician, or someone who really knows what they are doing, install your light for you. i want you to be alive so you can enjoy your craftiness!)

do you have big plans for the holiday weekend? we do. BIG plans.  i'll tell you all about it next week. ;)

be safe, be good,

 ~elisabeth