Before and After: Candlesticks
{The mismatched candlesticks, in all of their unpolished glory}
This past weekend I braved the heat to visit the Melrose Trading Post Flea Market in hopes of starting a new collection (since I finished this project). I found some antique candlesticks with great patterns and curves, but their dirty exteriors and cheap varnishes were an instant turn-off. I decided to bring them home anyway and painted them all a glossy black to make a cohesive and chic collection. Whether or not they’ll have candles in them is still to be determined, but the process was easy (an afternoon) and affordable (candlesticks + paint supplies=$28).
{I loved the different curvatures, but not the brassy colors}
{Once the tarp was down, I sprayed one coat of primer and let it dry}
{Then I sprayed two coats of glossy black paint}
{Final product}
195 comments
These are great when they’re black!
dailycupoffashion.blogspot.com
Oh wow, I really love those! Great idea, I think I might have to steal!
Wow…what a transformation:) I really love the new look:)….I will write this down to make sure to try it myself….I love this idea:)
Have a wonderful day, my dear
See you later:)
this looks amazing! thanks for the inspiration!!
This is such a great idea!!!!! You’re a rockstar Emily! Will have to try this out!
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
Emily–how do you do it all?
These candlesticks look gorgeous. You’re great!
-Jane @ Brunch at the Beach
What a chic makeover! If you haven’t decide what to do with the candle sticks, why not turn them into cake stands by adhering plates on to them – an idea which I’ve gotten from Design Sponge.
Oooof those are fabulous!! Seriously, they look great.
They would go well in your monotone bedroom?
Julia
http://www.britbride.com
these candlesticks are relly good looking, they would look grand in a vintage bedroom but they will also look nice in a dining roon or even your living room on a beautiful table
Beautiful!!! And sophisticated!!! Great make over!!!
Love the result!
xoxo Birgitte
awesome. i love your diy projects.
Great work! I’m inspired to do my more DIY.
What a fantastic idea! I’m a collector of all sorts myself but not of candlesticks. These look fabulous!!
Great idea!
Love your DIY ideas!
Love them!
these are fantastic.
what a GREAT idea! i must try this myself sometime!
wow! gorgeous! i think they would have looked great in white as well.
The look awesome black, good job!
i will copy this idea… GREAT
xoxo
K.
http://kcomekarolina.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous make over! Very Chic! I love the different heights and curves too.
I’m curious, do you spray any protectant on after the paint to help the color keep longer or will the paint itself be fine?
I am totally copying this!
http://breakfastatgigis.blogspot.com/
love these in black
http://iwouldsorockthis.blogspot.com/
You did a great job with those! They look great black
http://www.raindropsofsapphire.com
why didn’t i think of this? so going to try this out!
What a great idea! I love the collection of them clustered like that, with or without candles.
That’s a great idea! Thank you so much for the inspiration! I will go to the nearest flea market asap!
wow-those truly look amazing! Love your creativity…
Love the idea. Love all your before and afters, turn something ok, into something fab!
http://www.millicentelizabeth.com/
wow! they look so pop art =D
Those turned out great! It’s amazing what a few coats of spray paint can do.
ginamichele.typepad.com
So much more modern than the brass color.
wow!
Lovely!
i would love to risk myself to such beautiful things… i really hope that one day i will pull up my sleeves and i think i will soon get there if i continue reading your blog!
thanks for all those wonderful ideas!
kiss
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Wow, they turned out great! They look brand new.
http://www.betweenmycurls.wordpress.com
I really like this idea! I think my first thought would have been to polish them, not to turn them a different color. It looks like they came out really well, too. You should totally burn candles in them! The way the candles sometimes drip on the candlesticks can be so gothic and and cool looking!
- Meredith
cubiclechicblog.com
Fantastic. I LOVE this look. What a great idea. I’m definitely going to give this one a try.
What a great idea! They look really neat. Can you just pick up spray paint like that at the hardware store? I bet black and white would look pretty neat, too.
http://cubiclechicblog.com
Lindsay
looks great!!! Isn’t it the best feeling to see the potential and have it come to be as you pictured??
how cool..I don’ t know that I would have ever picked black but it looks so great!
jen
http://blankwhiteframes.blogspot.com
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of weeks now and this is my first comment. I really like the idea of the glossy black & this is something I am definitely going to try!
http://www.Polishedstars.blogspot.com
LOVE, LOVE this idea! I know what I’ll be doing this weekend…
Andie
P.S. I’m giving away a free piece of jewelry!
http://www.andrea-stanley.com
such a good idea! i really want to go to the alameda flea market soon.
They look amazing – such a good idea, I love how they are all unique, it’s so much better than buying standard new black ones x
It’s certainly amazing what you can do with a can of paint! I love the monochromatic look…they ended up looking very graphic.
They look great!!
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/
WOW, those are gorgeous! What a great idea.
Awesome!!
Nice work!
A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984
they totally look great, but i kinda liked them mixed polished and tarnished. the bright shiny gold contrasted with the antiquey darker matted ones made a nice collection in itself! something about the tarnished antiques having a worldly, historic quality speaks to me. maybe i’ll try to snag some at brooklyn flea this weekend and pack them into one of these shelves: http://www.lovelifeandlollipops.com/2010/04/flea-market-finds/. i’m thinking no candles for sure.
eve
http://www.lovelifeandlollipops.com
amazing idea!! must try this out myself
Gorgeous DIY! <3
xo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com
These look awesome, Em! I am a firm believer that black or white spray paint on anything is instantly amazing. It’s basically how half of Devon’s room came together! Also, they kind of look like miniature chess pieces…perhaps you were inspired by the Parker Palm Springs?!
wow this looks great!
I wouldn’t have thought of this.
I ended up with all my mother’s girly furniture. I try to add something black to every room to tone it down. This is a great idea. Thanks!
wow these look sooo good… just hard to track down the candlesticks in the first place1 Sounds like you have somewhere good nearby- awesome diy and thanks for sharing!!!xxxx I bought a load of fancy picture frames that still need renovating!xxx
fashion clocked
I would really love you to call by sometime!xxxx katie.xx
I love it! What a great idea…. I think I will have to try this myself!
Nicely done…I did the same thing for Halloween
http://sweethomewherever.blogspot.com
what a fabulous idea! looks great – now i have my creative cap on.
workyourcloset.com
You are so incredibly talented and resourceful, if not for fashion I always find something inspirational on your blog.
I really love what you’ve done with them! I find it really amazing that you find these mismatched items and make them work together.
This is my favorite post! I just love mismatched candlesticks! I love the idea of painting these black. I am alwasy on the lookout for amazing flea market finds like this.
Marcie
The black looks amazing!! Great job
http://jammer10am.blogspot.com/
I’m convinced that most things look better with a coat of glossy, black paint. Your candlesticks look great! Check out my before + after of an old table that I painted black: http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com/2010/06/oh-this-old-thing-see-jane-restore.html
xx.
C’est fantastique!
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=9ChADh1zt5I&feature=related
Your projects inspire me … I can’t wait to have my own place to try them out!!!
Don’t you just love the magic of spray paint!?
http://www.poolovesboo.blogspot.com
incredible transformation, miss emily! those glossy black beauties will look stellar in your place. love!
xo,
sylvie of silver lining
spray paint is the best, and its also fun to play with the finishes semi gloss, gloss, matte…..I even loved them before very shabby chic
dinner, dresses, decor, and dessert
http://traychic.wordpress.com
http://traychic.wordpress.com
http://traychic.wordpress.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sari Little, Hip Style. Hip Style said: Before and After: Candlesticks http://is.gd/d8EOv [...]
These are fabulous! I love all of the different shapes, and the black ties it all together. You’re so talented craft-wise; I’m super jealous.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
You are so creative! I love how you can visualize the beautiful potential in seemingly ugly things. I’m inspired to try to do the same. I really like the idea of having such personal and meaningful decorations.
Love the glossy black! I’m working on a similar project, except I’m using a variety of picture frames and glossy white paint!
collectionsandcreations.blogspot.com
xo
I wish there was a flea market next to my house. I actually wanted to same but with picture frames (Katie M., you sure have to upload your finished DIY)
a great and nice idea. i love it!
i did this a few weeks ago, but painted them a bright pink!
im LOVING the glossy black tho!
Awesome! Isn’t is gosh darn amazing what a few coats of spray paint can do? Love that stuff!
xoxo
great idea! those look great – love the black
very chic candlesticks! Genius idea!
Darling!
I´m decorating my flat and your blog is an eternal inspiration book for me!
visit my blog http://twostylishpeasinapod.com
Great idea! I am so going to do this! I love your mirrors too! I did that with picture frames purchased from thrift stores and I love it!
Great blog! It makes me smile!
xx
Jen
http://belledecouture.blogspot.com
Those look amazing. I’m inspired.
http://singaturestyle.blogspot.com/
Wooow…I love these!!I have a looooot of old candlesticks…and my room is al in black and white,so I think I may use this wonderfull idea of yours!!Thanks a lot!!
xoxo
Ksenija
Great idea; they look beautiful!
-Ashley
http://lerougestylo.blog.com
Great DIY idea! My mom has a closet full of frumpy candlesticks. I may have to head over and snag a few for a makeover:) These would make a stunning buffet centerpiece for a dinner party~
Thanks for the inspiration!
MaryChris
http://www.prettypleasedblog.com
Is it much harder to achieve a matte finish?
What a great idea! Now they look super chic and modern
Great DIY!! Loving the end result! xo – karrie
http://www.hellopretty.net
oh wow!! i love the brass, but the black gives it a little edge
<33
heelsandinspiration.blogspot.com
I’m copying!
This is such a perfect idea… I think I may do this fun activity over the weekend!
http://www.cavemandaughter.blogspot.com
Great idea!! They look really pretty now!
hmmm….yep, prob going to steal this idea!
This is a really great idea and the result is so elegant. I think it would’ve looked really great shined up in their brass state as well, or in a glossy white.
But you’ve done a great job here.
XX.
Mae Lu, thereafterish.
They look really cool!
I going to to be adding this to my DIY projects! I needed a new centerpiece idea for my dinning room table. Thanks! Keep the ideas coming!
xo,
Sara
http://www.travelsinheels.blogspot.com
They look great, and what a smart idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
I will be adding this to my list of DIY projects since I have been looking for a new centerpiece idea for my dining room table.
Thanks!
xo,
Sara
http://www.travelsinheels.blogspot.com
I love the look of the final product — great inspiration.
xo j
You are so talented. I love it!
They look fantastic!
I LOVE ur home DIY’s they inspire me to get creative and decorate my little apartment. I DIY fashion… we should collaborate!
-Kristen
http://www.kris10turner.com
http://www.youtube.com/threadbangerstyle
Fantastic candle holders…love them!SarahD:)
Now, how are you going to display or style them?
Amazing transformation! I actually have black glossy candlesticks already, but you have twice as many for half the price! Great job!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
I Love the DIY projects. http://www.laurenspicks.com
Cool! Love the black choice.
I would never think of going with black for this project, Id rather something like turquoise or yellow, but whatever works best with your place. They turned out SO nice!
They look really great. When you said you painted them black, I pictured how they would look and they came out better! It’s a nice cross-section of styles because the shapes are so traditional but the color is definitely contemporary.
http://www.pursepixie.com
[...] beautiful Emily transformed these candlesticks from dull to chic. Go here for the [...]
what a transformation!
http://www.economicalfashionista.blogspot.com
i follow this blog because i like it and i love your style!*_*
Actually, I kind of love the primer color over the black! But very cool project.
These are awesome!! I love them! Good idea.
This a great idea! I love how they instantly look more chic. You should definitely display these around your home, you did a great job!
-Caitlin
http://amusebouche-caitlin.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous! so simple yet chic chic chic! Love this idea, I’ll be on the look out to do this diy down the road.
http://www.pinkpeonieswithlove.blogspot.com
Love these, nice touch!
awesome idea! thanks!
They look great!
awesome! what a great idea. thanks for sharing!
xo Lindsey
http://couturerehab.blogspot.com/
Awesome. You make me want to dig out all my mismatched candlesticks at home.
This project is easier and more affordable that I imagined. Thanks for sharing!
ohh la la! they look great!
sarissweetlife.blogspot.com
I just can’t have enough of this blog! =)
xoxo
These make a great statement! I think you did a fantastic job
Are they goning to sit as a center piece on your dining room table?
Love this
xo jen
I kind of liked them better before. They look very nice now, but before they had those interesting imperfections whereas now they it looks like you bought them at Bed Bath & Beyond. But I really, terribly love your mirror project! That one was amazing!
Those candlesticks are amazing! So cool DIY!
WOw – Love this idea. Done this before with a fabulous find at a Flea Market with a Gold Chandalier. Painted it White and up she went in my Shabby Chic Crafting Room
Check it out: http://lahteadah.blogspot.com/2010/05/every-girl-desires-craft-room.html
Pretty fabulous that your Beautiful, Trendy, AND Crafty! Who woulda thought…. triple threat!
XOXO
Yours Truly!
Those are gorgeous! I love them!
Wow what a great project!
XOXO,
http://outfitidentifier.com/
Just think of how great they will look will a pink candle or white! Spraypaint, it’s not just for graffiti anymore. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful
you are brilliant . . . great project!
love it! such a wonderful idea
http://dreamsandjeans.wordpress.com
wow!!!!! These are like th super expensive versions I see all over expensive stores here in LA!!! Very good idea Emily:))))
LOVE, HTTP://WWW.LUALOSANGELES.COM
a bit of high gloss lacquer cures anything. check out Three-Seven Paris’ hot expo of amazing recycled American furniture + treasures:
http://jjscholl.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/paris-spotlight-three-seven-us/
xo
Amazing! Yeah I love the idea of taking something mismatched and painting it the same, especially because since I’m a student, I can’t really afford to get a nice matching set. I found a bunch of cheap dining room chairs at a thrift store last year and painted them Tiffany blue, we ended up getting so many compliments on them!
Love from Vancouver,
Alexandra
http://tovogueorbust.blogspot.com/
You have change them into such stunning candlesticks! Absolutely smart for a great dinner!!
very very pretty!!
http://heyhilarywrites.blogspot.com
Emily, you are too clever, I would never think of doing something like this, yet it’s such a simple idea! They look great! xxx
Very nice and quite clever!
~Julie
They look so modern! What a transformation! I don’t think I’ll ever get over spray painting things.
They look like a whole new set of candlesticks! Much cooler too!
LOVE THEM!!!
Fantastic.
We love your original ideas!
Join us: lesdemoisellesenpose.blogspot.com
J.
They look great! There is just something about glossy black that makes anything look hot!
Tee {apartment102.net}
Oh wow, I LOVE this! You’re right, they look so much better black. I too love buying mismatched vintage frames, vases or odds and ends but uniting them all by colour.
Miss B xx
http://agirlastyle.wordpress.com/
These look fabulous! So chic afterwards, and I bet you could paint them white too for a more outdoorsy look. Wonderful idea!!
http://stylelens.wordpress.com
Long time reader, first time comment-er. I love your blog Emily, it’s at the top of my favourites list. You’re so creative (and successful!!) at everything you do, you make it look so easy. Very inspiring! Thank you
WOW!!! i lubbbb it! i might have to bite this idea for a housewarming gift or something
i love a good before and after. i’ve been seeing black lacquer on all my favorite design shows. so chic!
So cute & original girl! I think it’d be fun to also paint these white or blue (to match my wedding color scheme).
Check out these great recipes for July 4th weekend!
http://www.honeysucklechic.com/2010/06/29/star-spangled-celebration/
Ashley
http://www.honeysucklechic.com
Emily, that’s look so chic… I promise do that as soon as you I have time… Here in Peru we have something similar to Flea Market, it’s called “La Parada” (In Spanish) and there also you can find lots of antiques… Love your candlesticks ….
Your projects are inspiring. Makes me want to do my own little projects at home. Keep ‘em coming!
Oh how beautiful! I’ll have to link to this in my next Revamp Roundup. They have so much impact!
They turned out amazingly well! Great DIY idea.
Looks awesome!!!
ahh im so inspired!….i was going to do a center piece on my dining room table of black apothecary jars…but i think i like this better!
thx!
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
wow! brilliant idea and they came out fantastic!
smiles,
gina
AWESOME!!! This is perfect. Great idea for my new place!
love the candle sticks, they are so chic!
check out my blog:
http://sparklesmileandshine.blogspot.com/
Melrose Trading Post is such a great way to spend part of the day. Last week I picked up the most adorable antique gold perfume holder shaped as a piano. The lid lifts up and has a spot for solid perfume from Avon. Its sitting right on top of my keyboard as inspiration.
http://www.hercaviardreams.blogspot.com
Such a great idea!
I might do this to a few old candle holders I have laying around.
http://glittermixedwithrockndroll.blogspot.com/
nice!
- the clothing project
http://www.theclothingproject.com
wow, it looks really cool
The candlesticks look GREAT! xx
I cannot wait to try this myself!!!
terrific idea, emily! the candlesticks are now très chic. i think they would like so striking against a white wall or next to a little bud vase with a pink peony. high contrast gets me every time! i’ve been meaning to do the same thing with some vintage photo frames. they’ll look much more pulled together once they’re all the same glossy black!
http://cookieandkate.com
i love how you dolled this things up!! i’ve been collecting girly, glittery greeting cards for a while, but have yet to come up with a good way to showcase them: http://cupcakesomg.blogspot.com/2010/06/say-it-with-cupcakes.html
woah I love this idea and it looks so chique! gorgeous collection of candle sticks!
read me at:
http://taetaeeescloset.blogspot.com
xxx
love the glossy black finish! don’t you love making old things into ‘new’ for you?
http://asequindressatbreakfast.wordpress.com
This is such a great idea! I’ve done this technique with ornate antique picture frames… it really brings old, unrelated objects to life again.
Stunning. Classic and simple!
Such a great idea! I have a bunch of old brassy – colored candlesticks I’ve been meaning to get rid of…until now. Love this!
XO Piper
super cool! i have done this with mismatched picture frames from flea markets and goodwill, too. i never thought of cnadlesticks though, i like it!
xoxox,
tara
http://www.thewondergirl.com
Those look AMAZING! I love it. You have inspired me!
very nice!i love flea markets too!
wow! really cool Idea!
Great idea! Now I am inspired to do some flea market shopping over the weekend and reinvent something.
genius! i absolutely love the silhouettes!
bright, popart red would look cool too!
[...] diy shiny black candlesticks [...]
I do this with picture frames, but I go for all white. Loves it!
Brilliant! I’ve been looking for things to do whilst on leave. Thanks!
this is exactly the idea i was looking for! i’m so making these this weekend
These are great. I love antique stuff.
x
http://aglamorouswayofthinking.blogspot.com/
LOVE this idea! Definitely going to steal this to improve my new place. Great blog!
Love this and I would love if you would post it to my Upcycled Awesome Linky party!
http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/2010/07/upcycled-awesome-4_07.html
[...] Vintage candles sticks – after seeing Cupcakes & Cashmere’s DIY project, I really began to fall in love with revamped vintage pieces. Regular antique candlesticks will [...]
great shine on those!
love them!!!
WOW black is so much better. i didnt know that black could work on candlesticks but you have proven that to me
Wow! I was going to say that brassy wasn’t so bad, but they look so much better in black!
Oh my goodness! Where have you been all my life?? Why didn’t I know about this site sooner?! Love it!!
I am in love with all of your creative home improvement ideas! I am always trying find ways to turn trash into treasurer, and just recently, I made a really great light fixture out of old wine bottles! I have a bunch of plastic and glass water bottles lying around that I have been trying to figure out what to do with…any suggestions??
eh silver/pewter would have been better, black is so 1990′s
great idea
here are my favorite candlesticks.. http://traumzuhause.blogspot.com/2011/12/some-art.html
nice day to all of you
svenja
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