(Ok, sorry about the pun)

When I think of a beach house, I think of coastal colors, lots of white and glass. So why wouldn't a beach house have a crystal chandelier? What better way to bring the feel of water than crystals?! 

You don't have to spend tons of money on a expensive custom coastal chandelier when you can easily make your own. Shop either Facebook marketplace or Craigslist for chandeliers. There are even free ones on there if you wait it out. 

Once you find a chandelier you like (and that works) it is SO EASY to go from drab to fab! Make sure to clean the chandelier really good. I recommend using a deglosser/degreaser. You can buy one from Lowes or Home Depot. It is usually under $10 for a bottle. Don't be scrimpy. Use the deglosser/degreaser freely. This is going to strip down the surface so the paint can adhere to it and give you a nice finish. Once it cleaned and dried, (if you are impatient like me, take note - SERIOUSLY LET IT DRY ) you have your choice to either spray paint it or hand brush it. I generally spray paint a chandelier. 

A couple of MUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.

• Tape off the area where you screw in the light bulbs
• Tape off the wire to connect it to ceiling
• Use multiple light coats (THIS IS THE KEY TO LONG LASTING FINISH)
• Let each coat dry 1 hour in between

Once your chandelier is spray painted, fully dried and ready to hang, have fun adding crystals to a chandelier. What if your chandelier doesn't have any pre drilled holes to hang crystals? No problem, Cristalier Crystals has tiny, yet strong magnets to attach crystals to any chandelier. They are so simple to attach and come in silver, gold or bronze. 

If you chandelier isn't metal then you can buy a spool of jewelry wire (think 30 gauge) and use that to hang crystals. Or get creative, you can use sisal rope for a more beachy look or how about fishing line?

Once you have your crystals hung, why not try adding some seashells or even pearls for a "mermaid" inspired finish? 

Looking for color ideas?

Silver chandelier with clear and aqua crystals

Soft blue with clear crystals

How about adding seaglass to your chandelier

Just have fun and relax with your beach house crystal chandelier. I mean, isn't that what the beach is all about...relaxing?