Slowly but surely, we’ve been making progress on the breakfast nook refresh we’ve had planned since February. This little corner has been a bit of a design challenge for me since we moved in. While I appreciate the farmhouse look, it has felt out of place in our traditional colonial home, so I’ve been trying to blend a more modern sensibility with a hint of traditional charm.
At first the nook had an extremely rustic table that looked like it was on its last legs.
We swapped that out for a more modern table, but quickly discovered it crowded the tiny space and created a traffic jam. After a couple of attempts to get the right scale and feel, we finally found a table that fits and feels right for the nook.
A few weeks ago I had no luck finding an affordable chandelier that wasn’t overtly farmhouse, then I stumbled upon a brand-new fixture on OfferUp at an incredible discount. I’m fairly new to OfferUp, but so far I like it as an alternative to Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace—great for scoring pieces at lower prices.
The chandelier I found was exactly the modern-meets-traditional look I wanted and I offered the seller $100 (it retailed for about $330), so it felt like a steal. The only hitch was the finish: it was brushed nickel and I had my heart set on aged brass.
This became a perfect trash-to-treasure-style project—really more of a small makeover since the piece was new. I grabbed a quick screenshot from my Instagram Story before I started spraying so I could remember the original finish.
Over the years I’ve tested many sprays and finishes trying to recreate a real brass look without spending a fortune. After trying several brands and techniques (including products like Rub ‘n’ Buff, which can be tricky to apply evenly), I finally settled on a combination that gives a convincing aged brass finish with a durable surface.
Supplies Used:
- Painter’s tape (I used Frog Tape)
- Spray primer suitable for metal (I used Krylon primer)
- Metallic gold spray paint in an aged-gold tone (I used Rust-Oleum Modern Farmhouse Metallic Gold)
Whenever I paint a light fixture, I always protect the bulb sockets and any exposed wiring with painter’s tape so no paint gets in and causes electrical problems later. Safety first—especially with electrical fixtures.
Even when a can claims to be “paint + primer,” I prefer to start with a dedicated primer coat. The primer creates a uniform base and helps the topcoat adhere and look smooth. I sprayed one even coat of primer and let it dry completely.
After the primer was fully dry, I applied three thin, even coats of the metallic gold spray. Thin coats prevent drips and result in a cleaner finish than a single heavy coat. I let the piece dry thoroughly between coats and handled it carefully until it cured.
The result is exactly what I wanted—an instant aged-brass look that reads high-end without the price tag. This was one of the quickest and most satisfying updates I’ve done recently.
With the new fixture in place, the nook feels more intentional. I also found vintage soda-shop bentwood chairs secondhand and am considering painting them black to better tie the space together with the new table’s scale and color.
I’m still working on replacing the antique banister planter wall with something that fits the room’s updated style; the planter itself is too charming to toss, so it’s headed to the backyard for a new life.
Home design is a process—one step at a time. If you enjoy thrifted makeovers and small transformations, I’ll be sharing more of these Trash to Treasure projects in the coming weeks. Below is a small roundup of inspiring makeovers from other creators included in this month’s round-up—clockwise from top left: Prodigal Pieces, Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Girl in the Garage, Artsy Chicks Rule.
If you’re interested in seeing more past Trash to Treasure transformations, there are plenty of projects to browse that showcase how simple changes—new finishes, a fresh coat of paint, or a small switch in scale—can make a big impact.
