Shine new light on old fixtures. (Easy Does It).

Everyone has a light fixture that is a little dated or one that they don't just love. Old light fixtures and new ones, too, can easily be transformed into something wonderful with a little ingenuity, paint, and time. They are also available at very reasonable prices at flea markets, antiques shops, and garage sales. I found several of these fixtures and chandeliers at flea markets and antiques shops for $10, $15, and $35, and when I mentioned that I was doing an article on light fixtures, several people gave them to me.

Look for fixtures that are pleasing, with good lines. Try to choose ones that have all the existing parts and that are not broken beyond repair. Changing colors, adding beads and crystals, and replacing broken or etched glass is easy. Most any light fixture, unless it is fairly new and in working condition, will probably need to be rewired for safety. Although some people can do this with wires and parts from a hardware store, I prefer to leave this part to a professional after I have achieved a fixture that I want to use. The price of rewiring differs according to each fixture and the amount of time, work, and supplies that are required. Any electrician or Ye Olde Lamp Shoppe in Jackson will give suggestions and prices.

Here are a few ideas for giving old fixtures new light. Try hanging the new light fixtures in unexpected places. The crystal one with pink beads hangs over a sink in a kitchen.

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This crystal and glass fixture (opposite) got a new look by removing the crystals, broken glass body vase, and prisms. First it was primed and gold-leafed, then tiny beads were wired to the arms. Instead of using the crystal candle bases, the existing brass ones were drilled with tiny holes to direct the bead chains (available from Ye Olde Lamp Shoppe; Kiefer Companies, 218/736-7000; or Harold Rand Enterprises, 800/255-8052) and the Strawberry Quartz teardrop beads, found at Village Beads. Antique-looking candle covers replaced the white plastic originals.

This dated hexagonal hanging fixture was a gift from a friend redoing an older house. The lines were good, and basket and pagoda-type fixtures are appearing in designer homes everywhere, from foyers to dining rooms. The main bars were painted flat black, and the hanging arms and trims were gold-leafed with Mona Lisa gold leaf supplies, available at craft stores. The dated etched glass was replaced with hardware cloth (available in several styles at hardware stores), cat to size, and painted with a metal primer and then sprayed with Miller Ace Hardware's Bright Gold paint. The candle sleeves were covered with a honey-colored bee's wax, available in sheets at crafts stores. Make sure to use a low-wattage bulb when covering candle covers with bee's wax.

This huge old wooden-base and brass-arm chandelier was once in a large brown den with lots of rafters. It was $10 at a flea market. With such nice lines and size, it definitely had possibilities. The lace-looking metal candleholders were removed immediately. For style and diminution, a ball was made from Creative Paperclay, available at crafts stores, and added to the bottom of each candle cup. The entire fixture was sprayed with Bright Gold spray paint. The wooden body was painted with aqua paint and highlighted in spots with a gold marking pen. Then the fixture was aged slightly with a little raw umber paint rubbed on and wiped off. Aged paper candle sleeves (available from Ye Olde Lamp Shoppe or Kiefer Companies) were added and topped with antique lace-covered shades. Small shades are available at Ye Olde Lamp Shoppe and in craft stores and gift shops.

This old metal fixture was found for $15 at an antique shop. After priming, it was sprayed with Bright Gold spray paint and aged with a little raw umber. Beads found at Village Beads in Ridgeland and Garry Graves Landscape, Inc., Gift Shop and candle covers were added for an updated and fun look.

Special thanks to Clark at T & L Glass Co., Inc., Pearl, for drilling cups and saucers, and Reed at Miller Ace Hardware, Jackson, for cutting hardware cloth to size.

This brass six-arm fixture was painted a verdigris color when it was found at the flea market. It was an extremely nice fixture in great working condition and had wonderful extras such as the brass caps on the tops of the candle covers. Using a butterfly kisses theme, it was transformed into the bedroom fixture of a little girl, it would also be great in a sunroom, kitchen, or breakfast room. It was first primed with a metal spray primer, then painted with a white textured flat spray paint. Brass accent pieces were left as is. Six English butterfly-pattern demitasse cups and saucers were drilled to fit over the candleholders. This can be done at mirror- and glass-cutting shops. Metal butterflies, available at crafts stores, were painted to match the ones on the cups and glued to the arms and body of the fixture for accents.

Hanging lantern fixtures were above almost every kitchen table in the '60s and '70s. They are readily available and usually very reasonable. Don't forget to check the wiring, though. These hat fixtures would make any teenager or little girl happy, hanging over the mirror in the bathroom, over bedside tables, or over a cute dressing table and mirror. For the polka-dotted hat with hot pink (left), begin by spraying the fixture hanging parts with Bright Gold spray paint after priming with a spray primer. Next, spray underneath the metal shade with the same primer and Bright Gold paint. Spray the outside of the shade with Black Gloss Enamel. When the shade is completely dry, stick on randomly spaced white sticker dots, available at office supply stores. With Quick Grab Glue, attach a fur boa to the lower edge of the shade. Glue on a large flower, and add a matching ribbon tied in a large bow on the side. The round shade fixture (right) was painted a sage green color on the outside, and beaded flowers (found at Da rby's in Natchez and The South in Jackson) were glued on for decorations.