LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Time Travel Thursday #34 - A Table Chandy From Flea-Market Finds


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 34th Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!


The Yankee visited Texas in 2008, a month after
Hurricane Ike devastated the area.

While there, he decided to browse through some of the thrift stores and flea markets—
hoping to score a few fabulous finds.  He purchased this lamp for
a song because of the damage it incurred from the storm.

Unfortunately, it has been sitting in the barn untouched—along with numerous
other trash-to-treasure projects—while
we've been waiting for inspiration hit.


And, of course, while he was away, I was out searching for my own treasure.

I was delighted to discover this vintage chandelier—a mere $5.00—
at one of our local Habitat for Humanity stores.  Alas, it sat untouched for some time,
awaiting its own future transformation and debut.


During one of our many brainstorming sessions we discussed
the plethora of projects in need of our attention and decided to pull some of the miscellaneous pieces out of the barns—to see if
they could tell us what they wanted to be when they grew up.   ; )


We also toyed with the idea of using vintage silver plate
in some of our designs.

Years ago, I found a group of 1930s New England patterned forks and spoons—
in yet another thrift store—and had tucked them away for a future project. 
retrieved them from storage and had the Yankee
cut the handles off a handful of them and
drill small holes in the ends.

We disassembled the lamp and chandelier and sprayed both with our
favorite Rust-Oleum paint color—Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Once the paint dried, I distressed the metal with sandpaper,
to bring out some of the ornate detail in the pieces.

We decided to marry the vintage chandelier to the lamp and the two became one. 
Then I "prettied it up" with some vintage crystals and
the revamped—and polished—silver plate.


I liked the somewhat offbeat vibe created by blending
the crystals and the silver pieces.


Note the highlights on the metal where I distressed the surface with sandpaper.


If you look at the first and second lamps—of the Yankee's design
and compare them to my designs, back here and above, you'll understand the
dilemma I face in attempting to create a home where the rustic and
the refined, the prissy and the primitive live happily together.


But I'm quite thankful to report, those four lamps do not
all reside here at the cottage.

Our son greatly appreciates the artistic value of his dad's designs,
so he was gifted the two rusty metal lamps.

Our daughter fell in love with the table chandy, and as soon as I tweak
a few of the details—change out the gold wires for silver—
she will be gifted that one.

Whew!  That was a close call.
Had I been forced to keep all of those lamps together, in this tiny little cottage, 
I assure you the words "and they lived happily ever after" would not
have been my words of choice!   ; )



IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

27 comments:

  1. Oh that Chandy is to die for! I can't wait to find another one. We had to leave the last one at our old house since my dd's room in the new house didn't have a hook up. But I want a new one for my walk in pantry! Yours would be perfect ;P

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  2. A huge WOW for this transformation. It really looks like all the different elements were meant to be together, a perfect fit.

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  3. I love everything about this project! Such a pretty light!

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  4. So creative! That chandy is gorgeous!

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  5. I am so in love with the new chandy. Wish I was your daughter receiving this...just my style.

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  6. I think your creation is wonderful and would gladly include it in my decor. How fortunate are you that the kids appreciate your creative vision.

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  7. This is soooo COOL...you had an awesome idea and it looks outstanding!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  8. I just found your blog and I am smitten. I love lamps and have a hard time passing them up. I have a large collection of lamps and lamp parts. I am also so excited about your link party!
    Debbie

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  9. Oh my gosh, I love, love, love this!!! It is spectacular! WOW!
    I wish I lived nearby so I could come see it and "oooh" and "aww!"
    XO

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  10. Oh my goodness! What a fantastic, creative idea! Just LOVE it! You did an outstanding job on this piece! Good for you!!
    Thanks too, for hosting a great party, love it too!

    xoxo,
    Ellen

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  11. BarnSSS? There's more than one? I"m green with envy. I may disguise myself as the dudes from American Pickers and show up at your door.
    LOL.
    xo Jeanne.
    http://beeskneesbungalow.blogspot.com/

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  12. Newest follower to your blog! Love it! I've also joined the Time Travel Thursday -- thank you for hosting!

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  13. What a super job you guys did! Really interesting and beautiful. What lucky children you have! First time participating in your party. Also your newest follower. Thanks for hosting.
    Lynn

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  14. so neat how you combined all those to come up with a beautiful table chandy! The touch of silver is really nice! Thanks for hosting
    mary

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  15. ooo, that is so pretty! I wish we had more thrift store options where I live.

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  16. Just an amazing transformation and so very lovely.

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  17. An awesome marriage of several pieces to make a stunning chandy. Love it!!

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  18. What a beautiful lamp! You all are so creative.

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  19. OMG that is amazing!!! Amazing with a capitol A!!!
    I want one too!!!!

    I just became a follower - nice to meet you!!

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  20. That is amazing. You are very creative. ~~Sherry~~

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  21. Love that table chandy! Using the silver is a fabulous idea--how beautiful.

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  22. Great marriage of several different pieces, I love the results. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  23. Oh how creative! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  24. How do you come up with these amazing ideas? I love it! The glass just is so intricate and beautiful. It's wonderful all together!

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  25. What a great metamorphosis! Well done. So creative.

    I am having a hilarious Linky party with prizes this Wednesday. Details are on my blog today.
    I hope you'll join in on the fun.

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Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to comment.