
1. The culprits: it's not their fault they're so ugly. The brownish black with gold distressing was just NOT doing it for me.
2. I grabbed a can of my favorite silver spray paint and set to work using tape (just the blue painter's tape) to tape off the glass bulbs so they would stay clear. I applied 2 coats and waited 2 hours between each coat. This stuff dries FAST, as in 10-15 minutes later. However, I have a bad track record with spray paint so I waited the recommended 2 hours.
3. - 4. I removed the tape and voila! Pretty silver candlesticks which fit my decor perfectly! I currently have them displayed on my coffee table on a silver tray (Hobby Lobby) along with a Mercury glass urn and a candle pedestal from Ikea.