Thursday, May 8, 2008

Wrought Iron Chandeliers

There are many chemical elements abounding our universe and one notable is the iron. Iron along with nickel is the most abundant elements making up the crust of the earth. Iron with a chemical symbol Fe has 26 atomic numbers. It is in group 8, period 4 of the metallic alloy category. Iron are heaviest metals having an atomic weight of 55.847.

Considerable quantity of iron is sourced in sun and other stars. The nucleus of the element is very stable and doesn?t need any undergoing process to form. Iron is the main component of siderites, one class of meteorite.

Iron metals are taken out from the ores of iron. Impurities in the elements must be removed through chemical reduction to acquire the metallic iron. The most known alloy is the steel. Primarily, iron is being utilizes in steel production. It is also being applied in automobiles, ships and structure of buildings.

Some other forms of iron is enumerated and discussed below:

1. Cast iron is a hard and brittle iron and carbon alloy which contains small quantity of manganese and phosphorous, carbon (2% to 4%), and silicon (1% to 6%). Cast irons can be classified as white or grey cast iron.

?White casts are those which cementite, an iron found in steel containing more than .85% of carbon. These iron are hard but not shock resistant.

?Grey casts iron has relatively low tensile strength and are not that ductile. The composition of carbon in grey iron exists in flaky form. Grey iron are inexpensive and easy to make and are usually used for decorative castings, engine block and electrical boxes.

2. Carbon steel is composed of little amounts of silicon, sulfur, manganese, phosphorous and 0.4% to 1.5% carbon.

3. Alloy steel also contains carbon and other metals like chromium, tungsten, nickel, etc. alloy steel are expensive at times because of their high alloy content

Wrought iron doesn?t quickly rust when wet. It has been largely used for gates, and blacksmith. This kind of iron is cheaper and available widely. Wrought iron is sometimes referred to as ornamental ironwork.

With classy styles, the iron chandelier has developed and has offered hundreds of types and styles. These are great lightning options suited for bedrooms, dining and entrance hall of either hotels or residential houses. These chandeliers are great and elegant alternative for homey candles and lightning bulbs.

Iron and its many uses bring forth great ideas which man uses to develop products. One such useful equipment is the wrought iron. With intricate designs and beautiful aura it brings at home, it can be a good investment that is worth paying for.


Mario Chompass is a product designer that creates home furniture and garden utility furniture, combining the outdoors to the functionality of the material. Learn more about Iron and about Wrought Iron Chandeliers.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Art Deco Chandeliers

Art deco chandeliers are products of an art style that originated in the 1920's. Its origins lie in Europe until it spread in other parts of the world such as the United States.

The term Art Deco came from the World Fair held in Paris in 1925. The fair was officially titled Exposition Internationale des Arts D?coratifs et Industriels Modernes. For years, Paris remained the center of Art Deco style. From this place came popular Art Deco designers like furniture maker Jacques Emile Ruhlmann and metal artist Jean Dunand.

True to its name, art deco chandeliers reflect the characteristic of materials that characterize the Art Deco style. Among the materials that make up such chandeliers are aluminum, stainless steel, inlaid wood and lacquer.

Designs of Art Deco chandeliers also resemble typical patterns reflected in Art Deco paintings. These chandeliers usually have sweeping curves in its design. The sunburst motif is also a famous example of an Art Deco chandelier design.

Because Art Deco was originally associated with elitism, Art Deco chandeliers have been a favorite feature of royal gathering places and churches. Their antique look and large sizes match the high ceilings and rusty posts of such establishments.

In the United States, Art Deco lightings came to birth during the 1930's, when buildings inspired by the art movement were established. Examples of these are the Chrysler Building and the Radio City Music Hall. Both are located in New York City.

Today, Art Deco chandeliers are readily available as a form of modern chandeliers. Sample pictures, complete with prices and shipping charges, are available in several websites of chandelier stores. Some stores also offer custom design packages for buyers who want to implement their own touch to readily available Art Deco chandelier design templates. With the help of the store artist, they can come up with their own version of an Art Deco chandelier.

Together with chandeliers inspired by other periods in history, Art Deco chandeliers have indeed widened the selection of homeowners and interior designers alike.

Chandeliers provides detailed information on chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, antler chandeliers, candle chandeliers and more. Chandeliers is affiliated with Kids Ceiling Fans .

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Monday, February 25, 2008

General Tips for Chandelier in a Dining Room

Mounted fixtures have a dual purpose. They don't just illuminate a room; they also provide aesthetic appeal to it by bringing beauty and personality into your room. Unlike lamps that one can move around, chandeliers are more permanent. Hence, proper positioning is required for these luminous adornments to work well and look good. The first tip in choosing a chandelier relates to size. One must consider the proportion between the size of the room and the size of the chandelier. A chandelier that is too small for a room will look isolated. On the other hand, one that is too large for a room will appear cluttering. With a rich variety of chandeliers available today, chances are high for finding the perfect one that matches any home. Creativity is very much involved in selecting a chandelier with a wide range of designs, finishes and styles to choose from. Each chandelier adds a touch of elegance to any room and vibrancy into the domestic atmosphere. Chandelier styles can range from elaborate and large to minimalist and aesthetically pleasing. Chandeliers can complement other lighting very easily and will certainly add value to one’s home.

When choosing a dining room chandelier, in particular, attention to proportions becomes magnified. The fixture must neither dominate a table nor look too insignificant. The best thing to do is to measure width and length of the dining table (or the diameter for a round table) and consider these measurements in shopping. As a rule of thumb, the span of the chandelier must be 12 inches shorter than the table's width (or diameter).

To ensure a new light will be securely supported, the ceiling electrical box must be checked before one begins the installation of the chandelier. When hanging over a dining table, the chandelier must be aligned with the center of the dining table with a 30-to 33-inch gap between the tabletop and the bottom of the chandelier. The purpose of the gap is to prevent any bumped heads. Chandeliers for other rooms should be placed generally higher than 8 feet above the floor in the middle of the room or foyer for safety and style. If the electrical connection on the ceiling does not work with the center of the dining table, add a heavy-duty decorative hook on the ceiling above the table center, and then attach a length of chain to carry the wiring from the electrical connection to the hook.

With regards to choosing the right bulbs to buy, one should decrease the watt rating of the bulb larger numbers of bulbs are required. A chandelier with three or more light sockets is probably more suited to 40 watt bulbs. Once correct bulbs are chosen and installed, the chandelier should give off sufficient light coverage without blinding anyone. Dimmer controls are recommended since they allow adjustment of the light intensity according to needs.

It is always a good idea to clean the chandelier at least once a year to maintain its beauty and shine. Before one starts with the cleaning process, the light bulbs must have been off for at least 10 minutes so the bulbs can cool down. For safety reasons, one must never clean the chandelier while the lights are on. It could either lead to a burnt hand, or worse to electrocution. If the pieces have to be dismantled, one must do so in sections or draw up a picture of how the components fit together. This will mitigate any frustration and confusion at the moment the pieces have to be reassembled together. Also place a blanket under the chandelier to catch any pieces of it that may fall. Keep the chandelier in the same place as you clean and do not turn it around as this may strain the power cable.

Earl Juanico

GoldenAge-Crystal Chandeliers

Earl Juanico - GoldenAge-Crystal Chandeliers

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Friday, November 30, 2007

Advantages of Brass Chandeliers

Brass chandeliers are used everywhere. Hotels, restaurants, and offices use them. In homes, brass chandeliers can be found in almost any room. What makes brass chandeliers so popular?

Brass chandeliers have a long history. Before electricity, brass chandeliers were used with candles or kerosene. Brass is a sturdy metal with a long life, making it the perfect metal for the brass lanterns that used to be placed in homes and used as street lights.

In addition to being a long-lasting metal, brass has the added advantage of requiring little maintenance. Brass chandeliers are particularly appropriate in coastal areas where corrosion is a problem because by nature it is anti-corrosive.

Two types of finishes are usually available for brass chandeliers: highly polished and antique polished . A highly polished finish, as the name suggests, makes the brass look bright and polished. Antique polishing gives an older appearance that some find very elegant.

Periodically dusting with a soft, dry cloth is the key to maintaining your brass chandelier. If it gets dirty enough to need a more intense cleaning, use a gentle dish soap and warm water to clean it. Don't forget to dry after washing. Do not use an ammonia-based cleaner because this will cause tarnishing.

If your brass chandelier is tarnished and you haven't used an ammonia-based cleaner, first determine whether or not it's solid brass. Try sticking a magnet on it; if the magnet stays on, your chandelier is made of steel-plated brass. In that case, the tarnish you are seeing is likely rust and can be removed with steel wool. After removing the rust, your next decision is whether to have it re-plated. If you don't want to have it re-plated, you can choose to paint it.

A solid brass chandelier which has tarnished is relatively easy to clean. First use a brass cleaner to get the tarnish off. Once it has been removed, follow up with clear lacquer spray paint.

When purchasing a brass chandelier, remember that it is not intended as a main light source. Chandeliers are hung for the elegance and grace they add to almost any room. Brass chandeliers come in many sizes, so they are appropriate anywhere.

There are many types of chandeliers available to add grace to your home or business. If you are in the market for one, remember the long life and easy maintenance of brass chandeliers. You'll be glad you did.

http://chandeliersi.com All the information you could want on Chandeliers from large to small, glass to brass.

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Monday, November 26, 2007

Vintage Chandeliers

A chandelier is undoubtedly an indulgence that can be seen used through history. Museums all over the world showcase exquisite pieces of intricately made chandeliers used by royalty. So, when in today's times one opts to give his home decor a vintage touch, it is the thought of a chandelier that first enters the mind. But then just any chandelier will not add a vintage touch to your home. The chandelier itself has to bear a distinctly vintage visage.

The best place to look would be antique shops. Spread the word that you are on the lookout for a vintage chandelier and if you are lucky, someone you know may have an unused one in their attic. As to why it is in the attic and not hanging in the living room, there is just one answer- tastes differ.

Vintage chandeliers are generally ornate pieces with intricate carvings. Candle chandeliers are a good bet as they have an antique feel to them. But they might not be a practical acquisition unless they have been modified to accommodate electrical fittings. Other materials that vintage chandeliers are made of are crystal, wrought iron, brass or antlers. Do remember that vintage chandeliers are rarely, if ever, shiny in appearance.

If you do not find a suitable piece of vintage chandelier on the market you have another way of procuring it. Buy a wrought-iron or a brass type of chandelier and work upon it to age it. This is possible by the application of an antiquing glaze on the chandelier. This process will impart a suitable authentic antique feel to your brand new chandelier. When the glaze is still wet, rubbing the metal with a soft cloth gives the metal a worn out look, and, your vintage chandelier is ready.

Take care to alter the decor of the surroundings also in a suitable manner. The vintage look must be enhanced by a vintage ambiance.

Chandeliers provides detailed information on chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, antler chandeliers, candle chandeliers and more. Chandeliers is affiliated with Kids Ceiling Fans .

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