Well if dad is willing, then you can for sure save money by painting it yourself. Even if you don't wind up with a factory perfect finish you will never see once it is hanging. I painted my kitchen ceiling light and also metal shelf brackets in my kitchen recently and they look very good. But I went the other way - from dark to silver! Do make sure you prep well by cleaning and then sanding and then cleaning again before you paint.

I really was thinking about the railings in a bronze color due to your tan floors...I also recently spray painted a frame it my bedroom with a bronze metallic paint and it looks very good too. The color works as a dark neutral, and works with the gold accents in the room. I think that color would look great with the tan.

Not at home now, but here are the rustoleum colors. I used the bottom right bronze. The top left is the oil rubbed bronze, it is the darkest. If you went with that color it would probably mesh well with black. The lighter bronze is more neutral, and is my favorite.

Rustoleum makes regular paint in cans as well as spray. Though I think the spray gives a better finish than a brush or roller. The cost is probably worth it.

If you are feeling particularly handy, or if Dad is helping, why not look into renting a paint spray set up. Prep your railings then mask and drop cloth everything well before you paint.

If you have bare metal you surely need to prime. But I did not prime my lamp or frame, just a thorough cleaning and light sanding and cleaning again to remove dust. I'm sure priming would be a good idea, of course. The paint I used was supposedly paint&primer in one.

Hoorah great job Cassi! I see you changed the armchair as well.

I use the hammered Rustoleum on my wrought iron outdoor chairs and table. It is a nice finish, a little softer looking. And I used rub n buff on a couple of pieces in my house too. I did decide to refresh it about 10 years on, just rubbed a bit more.

I had to wait a long time for carpet - but then I found a carpet store (not home chain) that sells remnants of high-end wool broadlooms at a discount. We were able to get new wool broadloom for about the same price as a synthetic from a chain store. So maybe you can get some general measurements and start a hunt for nice remnants?

You painted metal railings with a brush? It does make the railings look more natural somehow. Nice transformation.