Are you sure you want to paint the gold? I like it the way it is - either with electricity or candles.

Very pretty, but why 'gray'? I like it the way it is too, but candles would work, and not take away from the beauty. ;o)

Instead of a dark gray how about a tarnished silver color? I know from looking over your enabling blog- you love gray! I would keep it in the metallic family of grey.
OR you could send it to me!!! I will rewire it and put in my bedroom, as is!! ( yeah right),
I do think candles will be wonderful.

I would probably do light layers of both pale silver -- and dark gray -- then carefully "rub" off areas to make it look even older and tarnished.

It will be so romantic with candles -- that lovely beeswax smell -- and the drips .....

Jan

Candles? Real candles? Be prepared for soot marks on your ceiling and melted wax in your hair.

I like the current finish, but if you want a grey color, how about trying Rub n' Buff in pewter or another dark silvery tone? I think you might like the effect better than paint.

I too would do tarnished silver (or a mottled silver finish that look like mercury glass) & keep the electricity (but put switch on dimmer).

Really love that chandelier! I'm looking a similar one for DD and can't find it anywhere! :-)

My first thought was to leave it (color) until your bathroom is mostly done (you're remodeling, right?), at least until the walls / ceiling are painted.

My second thought was rockmanor's -- a pretty, antique-y finish.

My third thought was: I don't know you, and I don't know your ultimate goal / vision. Some people like the flaky, crusty antique look (well, me for one!), and some people like taking something old and dressing it up in a modern way, so that the piece will give us a goose, so to speak (I also like this). For example, we have this old tole pagoda chandelier (I am a big fan of japanache) but the charming old paint had degraded and mostly chipped off. I tried my hand at recreating it but, honestly, it looked like crap. So I took glossy burnt orange and sprayed it and now I am mad for it again!

Maybe your idea of grey is like battleship grey -- a funky color to highlight the frilly shape and abundant crystals? Or maybe your idea is to make the metal bits disappear so you see just the crystals and candles? Or maybe it's to keep its old look but in a silvery finish?

What a pretty idea to have the chandelier above your bath!

Don't slip on the ladder with wet feet trying to put out your candles!! It would be lovely with real candles but will you really light the candles every time you bathe? Maybe you could suggest to the french husband to install a dimmer switch for you. I love it just the way it is.
ps I love your blog.

Thank you for the tips. Silver seems to be what I am after. Better than dark grey.
The chandelier is not electrified as it is against regulations to have one so above a tub. I thought of leaving it as is, but candles would look so pretty lite... not every night but some evenings. The drip catchers would catch the melting was. And I won't singe my hair :)
The gold color seems to go against the silver faucets...maybe I'll paint the walls first and then see... but silver seems the color I am after.

I enjoyed your blog, frenchdressing!

You could put in led candles. I have some that come on by themselves like clockwork every night. Batteries last for months and no wiring!

Please tell me where I can find led candles online. I haven't seen them where I live in France.
Thanks