Dining with some new Bling
When we moved into our home a little over a year ago, this is what our dining room looked like:
Horrifying, I know. This room is affectionately known as “The Barny Massacre Room”. We’ve come a long way, this room and me.
I’ve made tons of progress so far on the room. I’ve painted, hung moulding, and refinished a table!
But that chandelier has been on my hit-list since the day we moved in. If you’ve read this blog at all, you know that I’m totally head-over-heels obsessed with the West Elm Capiz Chandelier.
I’ve been putting off purchasing it though because at 300 bucks, it’s not like I can just stroll in there one day and pick it up.
On Memorial Day, that day finally arrived. I saved my pennies for a long time, and finally was able to drive down to the West Elm store and pick up my very own capiz chandelier.
After MUCH drama with the chandelier, and a call to customer service, the Regional Manager, and having a new one shipped to my house, we finally were able to hang it.
Don’t let Ben fool you. This is the only helping he did at all. He took down the old chandy for me because it was really heavy. I installed the new one MYSELF. 
And here she is, all installed and looking fabulous (minus the messy room).
As I said a few sentences ago, drama surrounded this chandelier, but I’m not going to weigh down my joy in this post with all the details of how much of a nightmare this whole process was. Today, I’m going to focus on the positive and on my beautiful new chandy. Tomorrow I’ll unleash the horror for you guys. But today. Today I’m happy.
This room is VERY hard to photograph. Partly because of my cheap point-and-shoot and total lack of photography skills, and partly because we don’t have blinds on the huge window. Blinds are definitely on the to-do list, but I’d rather spend my money on a new chandelier than blinds. lol.
Total eye candy. This piece transforms the entire room and also really makes my table seem so current. I’m so glad I went with my gut on this one.
When you walk into my home I’ve got this little cut out that you can see from the front door. Any visitors who come to my house get to see this view the second my door opens. Swoon.
If you brush your fingers along the capiz shells, they sound like a pretty wind chime. Music to my ears.
Sorry for so many photos. I just am so smitten with this new piece of art.
I’m probably going to start working on the chairs soon, so stay tuned for that. I think I’ve found a fabric I like, so now I can get crackin’ on that “little” project (ha! I’ve got 10 chairs!). Also, as soon as I find a curtain rod I love that doesn’t make me choke on the price, I’ll be hanging up my curtains as well.
I’m sure my room makeover has taken longer than any other room makeover in the history of rooms (we are pushing a year now on this room!), but I think it will be worth the wait in the end. One can hope.
Before & Progress so far:
* Oh, and double bonus to any of you that realized I took the fabric back off the glass candle holders on my table (I showed you a glimpse in this video). I’ve decided to go another direction with the centerpiece and I think I’ll like it even better.
Have a happy Monday and an excellent week my friends!
xoxo, Allison
Have House of Hepworths delivered to your inbox every morning!
Sometimes I participate in these parties: The DIY Showoff, Skip To My Lou, Thrifty Decor Chick, C.R.A.F.T., Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Blue Cricket Design, Home Stories A to Z, Someday Crafts, House of Hepworths, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Miss Mustard Seed, One Project Closer, Under The Table and Dreaming, Positively Splendid
I {heart} your comments!
Join in on the fun discussion by adding your opinion...
25 Comments
Leave your comment
I {big fat LOVE} your comments! I read all.of.them. (It's true.)
I appreciate all the lovin' you dish out. It makes my day.
THANKS for reading!
* subscribe to House of Hepworths
* join my facebook fan page
* follow me on twitter
Welcome to House of Hepworths! HoH is primarily a Home Blog that specializes in DIY projects and renovations, crafts, and decorating. My name is Allison. My family and I live in Austin, Texas. I'm married to Ben and have two children, a 10 year old son and an almost-8 year old daughter. To find out more or to contact me click 
So happy you were able to get the chandelier of your dreams! It looks beautiful.
Haha! I just caught that the chairs were empty! I can tell you I’m in the exact same spot! I really need to dress up my windows too, cause I can NEVER get a good shot in my dining room either!
I thought the chandelier that came with the house wasn’t so bad, BUT that new chandy is gorgeous! So sophisticated, elegant and definitely amazing. Great pick!
Oh my!! I love the new chandy!! It is so beautiful!
Congrats!
And your dining room is coming along nicely!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Beautiful!!
As always very original and creative post!!
Kisses from Madrid ♥ ♥
OMG…Love the chandy. So pretty. I’m not believing that before picture. I’ve seen it before, but it never ceases to stun me. What were the previous owners thinking?!?!? Either way, you’ve transformed that room. Nice work.
Loving the Chandy Candy! Its sooooo pretty! It looks great!
Amazing transformation! Love the new capiz shell bling.
It looks SO good!
Beautiful!! This chandy was born to be in this room.
Love the chandelier! Wow the before paint job is just wow, I have no other words for it, wouldn’t you love to know what someone was thinking with that! LOL!! Love what you have done, the room will be amazing!
That is a perfect choice. It really does pop and makes the room seem so much richer. I can’t wait to see the rest of your progress on this room.
Oh my GOODNESS! your new chandelier is SO beautiful! wow, i love it. You have amazing taste and your dining room looks so elegant and special! can’t wait to see what happens next in there!
Love the chandelier — so pretty! Can’t wait to see the chairs come together
It was so worth the wait! It is absolutely beautiful! Yup, the perfect light to go over your gorgeous table!
Oh yes, you made the right decision with this light. It is stunning.
Lisa
I LOVE that chandelier and it looks great in your space! Can’t wait to see what you do with the chairs.
it is a wonderful sight..totally sweet
Gorgeous!! I’ve been eyeing that chandelier for awhile, too – it’s amazing! Too bad it would never work in my house… but a girl can dream, right? It looks AMAZING in your dining room – the whole room screams GLAM now! It’s definitely come a long way from Barney Massacre, haha!
~Chelsea
Looks great, such an improvement….I can’t wait to see the rest of the transformation.
{{LOVE}} the new chandelier. It’s beautiful!
It is stunning!!!!
Oooolala!! That is one hefty and gorgeous bling! I want to be walking in your door just for that first view! (Well, no, not just that–but it’s definitely on the list.)
we have the same chandy in grey! i am in love with it too. it is my favorite thing in the downstairs of my house. but it was a pain to install… how did you do it alone?! my husband and i had to do it together and i thought my arms would fall off!
I was googling for this chandelier and your pictures came up. It looks gorgeous in the dining room! I like the cut out in the foyer with the chandelier peeking through and guests get an instant ‘wow’ once they step into the house!
I finally convinced my husband that we ‘had to’ get this chandelier after he saw your pictures! I do have a question that I hope you can help me out. My dining room ceiling is recessed and the total height from floor to ceiling is about 12 foot. Do you think the extension rods provided are long enough for the height? Thanks!