Project Dilemma
The exterior lights to the guest cottage were looking tired and faded. What started as an easy DIY project now has me stumped about another. It seems like every time I start one project, it inevitably leads to ones I haven’t considered.
As you can see below, the exterior light fixtures to the guest house look like this. The original oil rubbed bronze finished has oxidized and faded over time.
I do like the classic shape of the lantern, which fits the quaint exterior of the guest cottage. Often I like the design of a light, but don’t like the finish. If you find a light you like, it is easy to change the appearance with paint.
After carefully removing the light (please make sure the power is OFF or have a licensed electrician do this), I cleaned it thoroughly. I did this by using water and a paper towel. Since the glass panels did not slide out, I carefully taped all the places that I wanted paint-free.
This is the most tedious part of the preparation, but it is better to prepare and prevent rather than repair and repent. I wasn’t quite sure of the color I wanted, so I painted them a Rust-oleum brown first and then lightly used an oil rubbed bronze spray over the brown.
After removing all the blue painters tape, the lights look brand new. I am please with the clean and fresh look.
Now the entrance looks a bit more perky.
I posted this project on HomeTalk and so far it has had nearly 10,000 views. To read the more detailed DIY on painting lighting fixtures, click here. However, one HomeTalk comment was “the lights look so good, is the mailbox next?”
Quite honestly, I never even noticed how sad the mailbox looks. It is a vintage box and I’ve haven’t seen another like it. But, the metal mailbox does look like the ugly sibling now. What should I do with it?
The gold-ish diamonds are also on the top of the box and a bit raised from the surface.
I like the design of the box because the front opens forward for you to reach your mail.
So what should I do to the mailbox? Leave it alone? Re-paint the black or another color? Paint the whole thing? Just give it a clear coat? If so, shiny or satin? I cannot remove the curlicue piece on the front as the rivets are welded in.
This mailbox does need a face lift! Please send me your thoughts as I’d love to wrap up this project this week. Since I received so many good ideas on my front door color request, I am hoping I can tap into your expertise on this one!
Have a wonderful Tuesday! To see more on this sweet guest cottage, click here.
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I wouldn’t mess with it too much. I think Karen Faiola has the best idea. Why don’t you lightly wet it down just to see what it would look like if you just put a clear finish on it before doing anything.
Good luck! I agree. It’s a darling mailbox.
How would it be to paint the mailbox black, the knobby things gold and the curlicue red to match the door and trim?
Hi Mary!
First of all, take a bow for repainting the light fixture! What a transformation!
The color of the light and the door pull now coordinate so using that same color, paint the mailbox background to match, keep the curlicue as is and keep the diamonds gold to blend with the yellow trim.
Hi Mary. I would love to see the rest of the outside of your guest house. The trim work looks so pretty. I think you should paint the base of the mailbox black and use the matching bronze on the curlicue metal piece. The gold squares could also be bronze with gold rub n buff on them, to make them tie in better but be a bit more interesting. Looks like a fun project. Your lantern turned out nice.
My two cents worth is to paint the mailbox to match the light fixture. The window is so the occupant can see if there is mail inside. Being a guest house, the window is not used for that. I would either put a light gold (fabric, metallic gift wrap, or transparent plastic) inside the box so it looks like the light is on inside the mailbox. Or for whimsey……a face of a toy stuffed animal like a squirrel or similar, looking out the window. Ha! fun stuff! The diamonds should be black. Also note: when painters were repainting the multi-pane windows at my house, they masked the glass with a spray that peeled off when the doors were dry. Dunn Edwards, I think. Linda R
I Love it when someone wants my opinion, must be an Italian thing, lol.
I would restore it back to the original look. Lightly sand it first. Looks like the box was matte black. I don’t know if those gold diamonds are brass, if they are just polish them then mask them when you paint the box black. If they aren’t just repaint them a gold color. The large decorative detail you call the curlicue would look nice is it was left as the same color, maybe lightly sanded so you’ll have the contrast between the black box and the curlicue. My goal would be to make it look like it did in the past.
Mary! Now I’ve got a new slogan for my whole life – “Prepare and Prevent Rather Than Repair and Repent!” Thanks for that! 😉
I actually love your mailbox as is, but if you want to spiff it up a bit, you could paint the background the same as the lights… ? That might be pretty tricky though. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll get a lot of ideas. Can’t wait to see what you end up doing or not doing! 😉
Take care and hope you have a lovely day my friend!