When I redid the baby's nursery with the nautical theme, I was stuck with an ugly ceiling fan and a tiny budget. Removing it completely wasn't an option because this room is over the garage and really NEEDS a ceiling fan (I personally am a ceiling fan hater, but you do what you have to do!)
Here is what the fan looked like back when the room was an office/guest bedroom:
Builders grade white with some pretty awful frosted glass tulip shades. Not at ALL the look I was going for. And once the room was in progress it was very clear the ceiling fan style didn't fit in:
What I really wanted was a more industrial, nautical or even retro look. When I was googling for ceiling fan styles I came across this one and really liked the look:
As fate would have it though, as I was walking through the flea market, looking for treasures I stumbled upon a box of vintage bed springs for $1 each.
I immediately thought I could replace the shades with these,and give the whole ceiling fan a new look. If it didn't work out, I was only out $3 (and would have to pass up a Starbucks one day just to pay myself back.)
Luckily I was pleased as punch (and happily sipped a latte) when I got them home and found out that they were almost the EXACT SAME SIZE:
The bed spring gods were smiling on me. I was able to cut off one end off using a hacksaw (these suckers were some hard steel, so that was no small feat) so the top diameter was exactly the same.
Using the exsisting mounting screws, I replaced the shades with the newly shortened springs.
Using the exsisting mounting screws, I replaced the shades with the newly shortened springs.
To keep with the retro feel, I added some Edison bulbs and the makeover was complete.
Before you mention it..
I did think of painting the fan, which would be easy to do, however, I decided against it for a number of reasons.
1. I didn't want the fan to stand out from the ceiling.
I don't want to draw your eye to it if I don't have to. Remember, I HATE ceiling fans. Here is what it looks like in the completed room. It is part of the decor without being distracting:
2. The room is already very dark, and Edison bulbs aren't as bright as regular bulbs.
I really need what light they do give to bounce off the ceiling and fan blades. But they sure are beautiful when they are lit up.. I love the warm glow:
3. If I go to sell the house, which I hope to do sooner than later,
white is a lot more buyer-friendly.
I can
always put the 'cliche' frosted glass shades back on if I have to. (But it would kill me to do so!)
Is it ideal? No.
Would I rather have the $400 one? Definitely.
Is it pretty good for $3? Absolutely.
The perfect KIM SIX FIX!
Sharing at these parties.
No way! That is so creative!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Kim!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this! I would never have thought to use bed springs on a ceiling fan. So awesome. Also, great find- bed springs for a dollar apiece?! Wish I could stumble across a deal like that!
ReplyDeleteLOL...I love it. That turned out so nice.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen!
ReplyDeleteI know! Right? There is a great HUGE flea market in Alameda (a suburb of Oakland/San Francisco) and they have so many vendors with such similar stuff, the prices have to be competitive!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI am happily featuring this at Tickled Pink Times Two tomorrow at our next party! Thanks for linking up. You did a fabulous job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Meegan!!
ReplyDelete