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25 January, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday...or ..."Frenchifying" My House

Welcome to my first Metamorphosis Monday hosted by our "Hostess with the Mostest" Susan at Between Naps on the Porch! Be sure to visit her blog to see her beautiful home and find a list of the other participants this week.
When I bought my home, it had all brass fixtures. Not only that, but it was filled with builder's grade everything. Don't get me wrong...there's nothing wrong with brass. It just looks so out of place with my Fench country décor! So... now that I have been here for seven years, I am in the process of updating. Well...not updating...frechifying!!!



This was my first frenchification. As I mentioned, my whole house is French Country so the first thing I did was put a rooster chandelier in my breakfast room! When my daughter saw it, she said, "Mom, this looks so much like you that now nobody will ever buy your house." And I say...that's OK...it's not for sale!


I don't have any "before" pictures because this is not my favorite light fixture in the world. But here is what was in the breakfast room.



Next I changed the chandelier in the dining room. You can see that the frenchification continues! I love all of the curly-cues! It reminds me of a giant fleur de lis!



Here is the chandelier that was there before. I like it, but not very frenchy! Oops...I've taken off two of the candle covers and put them somewhere else!



This is my new frenchified entry light! I love it! It has a water glass globe. It is from the same company that made my dining room chandelier and has the same rustic iron finish. When I need to dust or change the bulbs, I just unhook it!



Here is the light that was there before...again, I like it, but not frenchy enough!!


Well...you know what they say about plastic surgery...the difficulty is finding where to stop! You can't have brass knobs and hinges in a house with rustic iron light fixtures. So....I changed all of them...every knob and hinge in the house... to oil rubbed bronze. This project I did myself, one door at a time. It took me several weeks, but I love it! The difference is subtle because they just look like they belong. And yes...I have wallpaper! I hear it's making a comeback. Good, because I like it and I'm not taking it down!


Here's my next candidate for frenchification...my ceiling fan!



And this will be my new fan. It's in the box, waiting patiently for me to call the electrician! Of course, it will have a longer down rod. And this is not the end of my project! I still have several light fixtures to replace and then I have to start on my faucets. Yikes! What have I started???
Thanks for dropping by and please come back to visit any time! And don't forget to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see the list of the other participants! Prepare yourself for some amazing transformations!

58 comments:

  1. What a transformation! I have such a soft spot for lighting. Especially in those finishes, everything looks lovely. I also love your wallpaper. Such a tease with the tiny sliver of wallpaper in the photo! I can't decide which light is my favorite.....I'm thinking the rooster but I love them all!

    I'm not sure if it is really making a comeback or not but like you, I don't care either way. I'll be hanging some this week. :)
    ~Michelle

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  2. Debbie, I have to shut my eyes...you are making me want to get rid of all my shiny brass!!! I can't do that...I have toooo much! :-) I love ALL your fixtures...especially in the breakfast and dining room. What is your wall color in your dining room...and is it the same as your entry and breakfast room? I love the color...especially with all the black wrought iron contrasting against it! Great MM post! Susan

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  3. Debbie, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the "Frenchification" of these light fixtures and doorknobs! Can't wait to get to know you better...I gotta see this in person! =) Talk soon! ~CC

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  4. Isn't it amazing how changing light fixtures can make such a big impact. I am in the looking phase of the same project. Unfortunately my dh has an opinion and it doesn't match mine!. Love the knobs too.

    kathy b

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  5. Debbie..
    I love the transformation.. I'm in the process of going from brass to black. In fact I have the same white ceiling fan waiting to be replaced with the same exact black one you have picked out.. I wanted something with a covered globe this time. Can't wait to check back to see the new one hung.
    Blessed Hugs...
    Debbie

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  6. Oooh I love your frenchification!

    We are in the process of getting rid of brass and getting the oil rub bronze...but my hubby is over-doing it and replacing door hinges too!

    (and he says I am bad!)

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  7. Love this transformation! We are in the process of changing out the door hardware room by room also. I love all of your lighting choices, but that entry light is my favorite. Hugs, Kathy

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  8. Hey Debbie,
    J'adore ! Tout est tres jolie ! Est-ce-que vous avez du Grey Poupon?
    The lighting is fantastic...gotta have that rooster chandelier!

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  9. Oh Debbie I love the ROO Chandy girl..and your daughter is so right that is you..I am loving your home and all those blue plates just make my old heart sing...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  10. Debbie, I love all of your new lighting. Your new chandeliers are awesome. I am lucky because they used all rubbed oil bronze in our home. I do have a beautiful chandelier on my wish list. I love wallpaper, too!! It is coming back in style. But, really who cares as long as we love it. Hugs, Terrie

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  11. So happy you joined us this week;) I know what you mean even though my home is newer they still put the brass handles everywhere and I hate them...have just finished changing all the light fixtures next the hardware...it's neverending isn't it???French;) xoxo

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  12. Very frenchy! The rooster one is just beautiful. The knobs turned out great too! Kristen

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  13. I absolutely love that rooster chandelier in the breakfast room. All the other are wonderful also, but you know I'm a rooster person. Wow, to change all the hinges and door knobs yourself is quite a chore, you are something else with lots of hidden talents. Good for you. Hugs, Marty

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  14. Oh, Debbie! How wonderful! I love your home and all the frenchifications (I love that word!) you've done to it! Now, I'm feeling so ashamed - I have a brass chandy in my entrance. :(
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  15. Ohhh, I love your changes! I think we have a very similar lantern style lamp in the entry. I've detested it for 10 years too! Love the new oil rubbed bronze knobs & hinges! Bet I hubby won't agree to change out our brass ones tho... ♥ Diane

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  16. Debbie, these look great. Love what you did, and I really adore your wallpaper! It is so cute. I can't believe your changed out all of your hardware! That must have taken you forever, but it sure looks good! I love all of the light fixtures and your things... dishes, silver, etc. The whole look is PERFECT.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  17. Debbie, I'm glad you named your updates with such a beautiful world.. Frenchifications!! It even sounds as elegant as your lighting fixtures look. I have such a weakness for lighting.. and all of yours stole my heart girl. I love just the hint of the wallpaper and your "beautiful" plates. Have a good time with your friend tomorrow. I know we're in for a treat to see what you find. hugs ~lynne~

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  18. OH WOW! what a difference!! I am looking at things with new eyes now. I would never have believed it could change the entire look so much. :) I love visiting you. INSPIRING! :)
    Mona

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  19. Love all your frenchy fixtures, Debbie! I can't believe you replaced all the door knobs yourself. Is it easy? I have been wanting to change our front door knob and lock but neither me nor dh knows how to do it and I keep forgetting to take a pic so I can buy the right size for our maint. guy to install. I love your home, all the Frenchification makes it warmer. I think our light in the foyer looks like your reject...LOL!...Christine

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  20. Debbie,
    I just love the frenchifying! Those fixtures are wonderful and just up my alley. I want to find a rooster chandelier too! I love the door knobs you replaced,great job! What else can I say, I love it and I love your home! Have a great week yourself. Cindy

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  21. I love your cocky chandy! LOL I have a similiar style. Yes, I started this same project about a year ago. Ask me next year if I am through. :-/ Those door hinges are bad...very bad. Thought it would be easier. I laughed when I saw your old foyer chandy. As a Realtor, I wish I had a dollar for EVERY single one of those I have seen in homes. I think builder's buy them by the truckloads. UGLY! Loved this post....Hugs my friend! Barb

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  22. Debbie what a stunning result!

    I love the entry foyer light. :)

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  23. Hi Deb,Every detail you are choosing is so perfect for your home.I love the darker metal in contrast to your color scheme.It is amazing when whe start looking around at how many thngs need changing and it then becomes the ever ready bunny in motion,it keeps going and going and....brass is actually coming back in so maybe if some of wait will be back in fashion.Isn't it funny how things go in cycles.No matter what is in fashion,the bronze is the perfect choice for you.I love the blue wallpaper,totally classic Pierre Deux,and yes wallpaper is coming back in a big way,also.It is enough to keep your head spinning.Hugs Kathysue

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  24. Debbie, I love the Frenchifycation! It makes a big difference. Can't wait to see more! :D Jewel

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  25. Must. Have. The Rooster chandelier!
    I've been trying to de-roosterfy because it was getting out of hand, but you're making me fall off the wagon with that beautiful light fixture!

    Oh, and thanks for all the updates on your last post. I hope my children don't mind being ignored while I visit all those wonderful blogs.

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  26. This post has made me realize that I have over looked my lighting. When I decorate, I never think about changing out these things. I always just thought it was something I had to live with. Thanks for letting me see what a impact these changes will make. Now my to do list has just grown!

    I love all of your choices.

    Wendy

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  27. Hi Debbie! I love the change! So much classier than the shiney brass! Love the plate rack with all that lovely blue china calling out to me, too :0)

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  28. Debbie I love what you've done.I thought about joining MM.But I thought it was going to big BiGGER more building and adding on etc.MY Trash to Treasure tomorrow would've been a better fit here.Oh well,there's next wk..ann

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  29. Debbie, It all looks beautiful! And so what if it looks like "You"! You're the one who lives there now!!!

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  30. I recognize all of those brass fixtures, the builders must get some great deals on those! I love, love, love the new ones, especially the dining room! Great job.

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  31. Good Morning Debbie... I love your post and your fixtures! I didn't realize until today that I am Frenchifying my home office! You inspired me to post a few pics.. don't be surprized when I email you for some Frenchification advice... hugs... Dixie

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  32. Hi Debbie...if you ever do sell the house....Call me first!! Sue.

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  33. Gorgeous transformations, Debbie!!

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  34. Hi Debbie! No, I'm not offended. Brass is brass and it's been around a long time. I'll get over not having something else. LOL
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  35. Good Mornin' Girlfriend...

    Ohhh my goodness...I love all of your "frenchification" transformations...hehe! Of course, you know that French country is my favorite design style! All of your new light fixtures are divinely French...Ooh LaLa!!! Love the black rustice iron!!! And Girlfriend, I just giggled reading about your projects and how one thing led to another...it's so true, isn't it? I call it the design domino effect...hehe!!! Your home is French Fabulous...so very beautiful!!!

    Have a great Monday, Sweetie...
    Love ya,
    Chari

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  36. Hi Debbie...What a difference changing out the light fixtures made in your home...and I'm with you...what's so wrong with wallpaper??? the right design in the right spot of course!
    ;-) Bo

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  37. I LOVE that rooster light fixture & I'm not veen a rooster fan so Nyahhh to your daughter! ;o)

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  38. You did a great job. I can't tell you how many light fixtures I have changed out for clients. My kitchen in Pa. was French Country with roosters.
    Kathleen

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  39. I love all your make overs, but the chandy with the rooster has my heart! lol

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  40. You;ve done a beautiful job transforming your decor with the new light fixtures.
    I've been out shopping for new fixtures myself. I hope to find fixtures that "fit" my decor as well as yours have.

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  41. I love your changes!! We are getting ready to change light fixtures, but like you, I don't know where to stop!! Your home looks wonderful. Sally

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  42. Je les aime - tous les chandeliers. J'ai vu ceux qui se trouvent dans la cuisine et dans la salle à manger, mais je n'si jamais vu celui qui se trouve dans l'entrée - parfait!
    Linda

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  43. Debbie~ I am SO IN LOVE with all your Frenchy changes!! Hard to believe what a difference light fixtures and door knobs can make to change a room so dramatically! Everything looks soooo beautiful! Great job! L~

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  44. All of the things you have choosen are so beautiful, from the door knobs, to the lighting fixtures, and the fans. You have a lovely Frence inspired home :>)

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  45. Unlike another member of my family, most of my taste is in my mouth. I am not a decorator in any sense of the word. I go for comfort over style and beauty every time. Things seldom get changed in my home unless they break down and quit functioning.

    One day the decorating bug may bite me and then my wallet won't know what happened. Until and unless that happens, I'll just keep enjoying the wonderful blogs, like yours. I like all the changes you made, without exception.

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  46. Love, the light fixtures! Especially the rooster... Very nice transformations! Your home is beautifully frenchyfied!
    ~Misti

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  47. I think that frechifying was definitely the right decision, it looks great!! Your dining room chandelier looks very similar to the one I have. The oil rubbed bronze knobs look great too. You have mastered the French country look.

    I just adore your home, it is so pretty.

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  48. Amazing what changing out metallic finishes can do in a home. When we built five years ago, they were just coming out with the rubbed bronze. I love the dark finishes. Your kitties need to pay a visit to my blog today and visit baby Violette...

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  49. Debbie, of course I love all of your frenchifying! Those chandeliers are wonderful. But I REALLY want to see that great French Provencial wall paper! We did the same thing with our door pulls, and I suspect, as my husband told me after we did it, nobody else would notice it, but I think they WOULD notice if they still had those shiny brass pulls! Great post. laurie

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  50. Looks great, Debbie!
    I love the chandy's..
    I am not getting rid of my brass though!!!

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  51. I love your changes!!!! I really love that rooster chandy!!!
    ~*~Leanne~*~

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  52. Hi Debbie! I just love your sense of style...you have a great eye for knowing exactly what will look perfect in your home. You frenchified everything so beautifully! I keep wanting to go back and look at the photos again and again. :-) You know, my interior doors all have brass door knobs, and I also don't care for them in *my* home, and what I really have wanted for seemingly forever is to replace them with crystal ones. I've gotta get in gear!

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  53. Hi Debbie, I am new to your blog but I love it. We have had 3 cat (now 2). And I am working on Frenchifying (great word!) our home too.

    I will come back soon!

    ~Liz

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  54. Well shame on you Debbie! Now, I have to Frenchyfy (sp?) everything also! As soon as I finish this comment, I'm off to google rooster chandeliers...your's is gorgeous and I will definitely need one for my "roost." I also love all the door knob treatments you installed...love them! Great job!

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  55. you are a woman of vision, passion and dreams!
    keep the wall~covering it is so French! :) LOL

    great choices in your decisions...for it does bring the feeling to one's heart!

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  56. Debbie, I am enjoying looking at all the frenchification! I am so in awe that you changed every knob and hinge! That's one big project. Can't even get up the gumption to do my kitchen.

    Must go now. I'm going to look at your blog some more. :)

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  57. Vive la Frenchification!! Hehe! Such an improvement girlfriend! I love everything that you've done! Vanna

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  58. WALLPAPER IS BACK??!! I don't have any as this is a different home for me..but I will have it SOON. I love wallpaper and have always had it. And...it is something I can do myself..ok..well..I used to do it myself. Perhaps I should rethink that "do it myself" thingy! Anyway...I love the black and since I found a black hearth, black grout in the fireplace in this home..well...black is finding it's way into my home..at a very fast pace and I am finding it charming. My entertainment center..(not what I really wanted)but it will have to do until a later date and it..is..after all ..black. MY very first piece of black furnature.
    This lovely blog is the place to come to see how GREAT black can look in a home. :) Thanks for all the inspiration and beautiful idea's. :)
    Mona

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie