before and after by Kate Pruitt 46

before & after: catherine’s lamp + victoria’s chandelier


I’ve already confessed to loving “Frankenfurniture.” Weird, black sheep furniture. Freaks and Geeks furniture. Needless to say, this (lamp? shelf? curio cabinet?) object from Catherine is near and dear to my heart. Not only is it multipurpose, it looks multipurpose and I love that. She simply sanded the little thing and attached a corded bulb to the drawer’s handle; now it’s an adorable bookshelf and lamp! I know it may not be everyone’s style, but I truly adore the bare, industrial simplicity of this creation. You can see more about the process on Catherine’s site. Her website is in german, but you can definitely get the drift from the images, and if you can speak or read the language, please teach me! Great project, Catherine! — Kate

Have a Before & After you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (low res, under 500k per image, please)

It will never cease to amaze me how a simple paint job can make a once-ordinary item spectacular. But sometimes the opposite is true — an amazingly beautiful object hiding under a layer(s) of hideous paint. What I’ve learned from the Before & After projects over the years is that context is everything and style is subjective, with perhaps a few exceptions — some things are just plain ugly. Taking that into consideration, I love the result of this purple paint job from Victoria. The plum color on the chandelier is striking, and the subtly iridescent finish allows the beautifully curved shapes of the chandelier to shine through. The original beyond-shiny brass distracted from the form of the piece, in my opinion. I think you’ll have to agree this is a job well done, especially when you consider that this whole piece cost Victoria only $10. I know fall has arrived, but it’s never too early/late/whatever to dream about spring tea parties and flowering gardens, is it? You can see more of this chandelier on the cover of the online publication Nonpareil. Beautifully done, Victoria!

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46 Comments

Catherine Hug

Hi, thanks a lot for showing my drawer! My site is in german, but anyway you can get it translated by google translate. Best from Berlin. Catherine

rachel

the drawer idea is so smart! I would love to try a couple on a wall with pictures hung from the drawer by a bit of rope….must get on that!

leel

both of these projects inspire! I love the drawer shelf/lamp combo and the purple chandelier is completely brilliant.

love them.

Maggie

I’m with clarkie for sure on this one!

I just happened across a bunch of vintage shipping boxes from the USSR on the “free” section of craigslist – now I have some idea of what to do with them!

Lucie

I’ve been inspired by the awesome before & afters on D*S – recently I found a semi-ugly, dark wood (late 70′s?) desk with some special gilded paint effects and repainted it glossy white. It replaced a cheapo Kmart special (maple laminate, mmmm) and has changed the whole feel of my office.

max

Chandelier is soooooo much beter after than it was before. I love it and have to find some old chandelier to do something like that.

sara s.

the drawer turned all in one wall fixture is so cool! my boyfriend isn’t always a fan of my need to constantly “nest,” but i think even he would dig this by his side of the bed! thanks so much for sharing!

Jai

I have this EXACT chandelier (CL find…overpaid apparently at $20 lol). I’ve been waiting for inspiration for a treatment and I’ve just found it! I love purple and thought it would look cheesey, but now that I see it… OMG. I’m soooo going to do it!

Marika

I love the chandelier! Does anyone have tips for painting chandeliers?

Lauran

this drawer rocks! clever idea that i can’t wait to borrow. the photo of the child next to it is cracking me up. love it.

Paula

Where dis you find a corded bulb? I went to Blue to find one, or a swag light, and the worker said they aren’t UL approved and that I can’t get them anymore. did you make it?

nicky

hey- i actually did the same catherine did with a little medicine closet- haha- would so adore to be featured as well. never had been featured.. oh would this be awesome!

nicky

and the best is- we did it somehow at the same time.. :) two moms, and kind of like twice the great idea!

hannah

I have this exact same chandelier sitting in my basement. I took it down when I moved into my new house. Now it must go back up, and it may just be purple!

Sharon Knettell

Beyond FABULOUS!

I wish I had seen this before I blew $650 on a Niche Modern plum handblown lamp. I had trouble finding a color like that, purple/pink.

This is more original!

My plum lamp is cool tho’

Morgan

But i cant believe no one has commented on the picture of the little girl to the right of the drawer/lamp. Classic!

And i just found the coolest Chandelier at the Re-store store, cant wait to try a similar paint job!!! I LOVE this website!

Casey

I just got a brass chandelier for $2 that is EXACTLY the same as the pre-purple one! This gives me high hopes for what it will turn into after a paint job…

taylor

I have the same chandelier! Mine was painted white, I love the purple as well!

Sarah

Oh GOSH the dressers are fabulous. Do you use high gloss paint? How do you protect against chips?

Malisams

I LOVE LAMP

I have a cute little chandelier that I painted, but it’s missing all of its wiring…does anyone have a link to a good *beginners* rewiring tutorial?

Thanks!

Taryn

What kind of paint was used for the chandelier? I LOVE it and just bought one of CL to do the same.

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