Clicky Poll: Help me decide what to do with this

[mrs.jacinthe]

Since I'm being a PW ... 


This is our downstairs hallway:



This is the light in our downstairs hallway:


Another view:


At first I thought it was savable, via spray paint or just a good cleaning and some shades.  It is highly dirty, the finish is wearing badly, it was probably made in the 70's (??), and the paper "cones" are going bad.  Now that I've gotten a better look at it, I'm leaning towards donating it and buying something new.

What are your thoughts?  Save it or donate it/buy new?  If I should keep it, what would you do to make it look less horrifying?

[auntie]

It looks older than the 1970's to me. I lived through the 1970's; my parents re-did two homes in that time period. The funny pattern looks quite older than that. I've seen similar decorative trim on fixtures in home built between the two World Wars. Could it be original to the house?

I'd take it down and polish it before replacing it. You can replace the "candles" for something newer; if you're willing to rewire, you could even get longer ones and shades. I wouldn't paint it. I'd probably store it away until the house was totally re-done in case you decide to use it elsewhere.

And I'd find somewhere else for the fire extinguisher.

[Susie]

I don't dislike the light lshoes suggested, but I'd never put it in my house because I wouldn't want to clean the dust/bugs/etc. out of the bowl all the time!

I'd probably give cleaning it up a shot, and if you're still dissatisfied, then replace. It won't cost much time or effort to clean it up, spray paint, and possibly replace the candle sleeves.

I have been immensely more tolerant of our dining room "chandelier" since I did that.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Mar 27, 2013 6:32:30 GMT -5 auntie said:

It looks older than the 1970's to me. I lived through the 1970's; my parents re-did two homes in that time period. The funny pattern looks quite older than that. I've seen similar decorative trim on fixtures in home built between the two World Wars. Could it be original to the house?

I'd take it down and polish it before replacing it. You can replace the "candles" for something newer; if you're willing to rewire, you could even get longer ones and shades. I wouldn't paint it. I'd probably store it away until the house was totally re-done in case you decide to use it elsewhere.

And I'd find somewhere else for the fire extinguisher.

It's definitely not original to the house, which was built in 1850-ish.  The previous owner bought the house in the 70's and did a complete rehab on it, which is why we're leaning towards new in the 70's.  Additionally, it's made of pot metal, poorly plated - not exactly heirloom quality, KWIM?

And LOL, I had totally forgotten that fire extinguisher was there.  We'll put that on the to-do for the weekend - it can go in R's shop for now (provided it's still got a charge on it.)

[salsaverde]

I really like what katie did here and think I would look for something similar for your downstirs hallway:

www.bowerpowerblog.com/2011/08/i-give-this-ten-a-ten/