DIY Foyer with Glass Chandelier. AKA Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble

Ever considered a glass bubble chandelier?

A glass bubble chandelier.

When we toured the home with our realtor before we bought, I remember walking into the foyer and knowing that was exactly the fixture I wanted to put in the space.

Contemporary Entry by Fairfax Photographers Jim Tetro

*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE*.

These pictures of glass bubble chandeliers from Houzz were the inspiration.

Contemporary Entry by Bridgeville Design-Build FirmsEddy Homes

 

It’s certainly not a secret have a huge soft spot in my heart, and a massive hole burnt into my wallet, thanks to my love for lighting…particularly chandeliers.

When we bought our home in the country, about an hour outside of DC, sure enough, the first thing we bought for the house was this glass bubble chandelier.

 

 

Here was the foyer BEFORE:

 

And here we are in the midst of the update. We rented scaffolding, painted the walls and moulding.

 

And removed the old entryway chandelier, to make way for the new glass bubble chandelier.

 

 

 

Truth be told, I don’t feel like this space is *quite* finished yet, but it’s coming along.

 

Because I blew our budget on the glass bubble chandelier, the rest of my grand scheme like to-die-for elaborate moldings is going to have to wait a while longer. But here’s the progress…

 

 

(we’ve linked to all exact items if available, and similar items for things like thrift-scores and DIY projects)

 

• glass bubble chandelier
• black/chrome modern entry table
• cowhide rug
• paint: Ben Moore “Nimbus”

 

The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore “Nimbus”. We decided on a modern entry/sofa table with chrome legs and a tri-color cowhide rug.

 

 

The lamps were purchased at Homegoods and the mirror from Etsy.

 

 

The settee was found on Craigslist, and I re-upholstered it in burlap.

 

 

It was one of my first attempts at re-upholstery. I love it in this space because it’s neutral, which makes it easy to change the look with pillows and what-not for the seasons.

 

 

You should see what this piece looked like before.

 

 

It’s a pretty big change.

 

 

The floors and staircase were repainted and refinished.

 

 

We love the glass bubble chandelier, but here’s the trouble…how the heck do you clean this baby? Being the completely impractical, “form over function” person that I tend to be, I hadn’t really thought about that prior to buying it.

 

 

This light is made up of individual strands of glass bubbles. It’s pretty fragile.

 

 

SO, after months and months of trying to think of some scheme OTHER than climbing up a 12-14′ ladder and cleaning each bubble individually, that’s EXACTLY what I had to do…

 

Not so much fun. AT. ALL.

 

But, it’s a very pretty light…until once again, I have to clean it…then this thing is going back on my $%^&-list.

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Click here or on the image below and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!”