I can never leave things alone—if something can be improved, I’ll find a way. That’s the short version of this post.
If you remember, I recently updated some white plastic mirrors with Rub ’n Buff and couldn’t stop there. That makeover sparked the urge to Rub ’n Buff everything in sight, and the new light fixture in our foyer became the next project.
Yes, it was a brand-new fixture. Who buys a new light only to repaint it? Apparently I do.
When I last showed a peek of our freshly painted foyer, it featured an old chandelier that was lovely but didn’t suit our style—it had a delicate, porcelain tea-set vibe. I wasn’t willing to alter that antique, so it’s going to someone who will appreciate it.
I wasn’t sure what to replace it with until I spotted an antique gold frosted crystal chandelier at Pottery Barn. I loved the look but didn’t love the price. I decided I wanted a semi-flush mount version with a similar vibe for much less.
I found an affordable black-and-glass crystal version online for about $100 and, as soon as it arrived, I dug out my painting supplies.
Semi-DIY Antique Gold Frosted Crystal Light Fixture
Supplies used: (listed for reference)
- Crystal basket light fixture
- Rub ’n Buff in Antique Gold
- Krylon Sea Glass Spray Paint in Gray
- Plastic drop cloth
- Small artist brush
Here’s what the fixture looked like before the makeover. It would have been attractive in its original black-and-clear finish, but I wanted a softer, antique-gold look to coordinate better with the foyer.
I used the same tube of Rub ’n Buff left over from the mirror project—this product goes a long way. Using just my fingertips, it took about ten minutes to rub the antique gold finish over the black metal frame. For small details and tight spots I switched to an artist brush to get an even, controlled finish.
To age the crystals and soften their shine, I laid all glass pieces out on a plastic drop cloth in the garage. These were inexpensive glass crystals, so frosting them felt low-risk. I used Krylon Sea Glass spray paint in a neutral gray and applied a light coat to both sides of each crystal. The result is a subtle, sea-glass effect that mutes the clarity and gives the crystals an aged appearance.
After everything dried, I reassembled and installed the fixture. The transformation gives the foyer a high-end, designer feel at a fraction of the cost. For comparison, a very similar antique-crystal semi-flush light sold for around $240, while my total cost, including the base fixture and supplies, was about $120—roughly half the price.
The foyer is starting to come together. I still have a few finishing touches to decide—like whether to paint the pulls on the marble-topped chest so the metals don’t compete—but overall the space feels more cohesive now.
For comparison, here’s a shot of the space before the updates. The difference is dramatic—the new finish adds warmth and elegance without looking overdone.
At night, with the light on, the frosted crystals scatter the glow across the walls and ceiling, creating a beautiful, inviting atmosphere.
Have you transformed any fixtures lately, or painted something brand-new straight out of the box? I’d love to hear about other small changes that make a big impact.
If you want to save this project for later, pin the image below:
