Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Discover the enchanting world of crystal chandeliers

Since the time of kings and knights, crystal chandeliers have up to modern days enchanted the mood of anyone who gazes up on them, leaving a feeling of bedazzlement and wonders.

Charm is inherent in each and every piece of crystal. For many centuries, crystals have always been an awe-inspiring piece of art. Would you believe that they possess therapeutic values as people heal themselves with crystals? If you are to gaze upon a clear or colored crystal, your eyes will be caught by its magic. You cannot help but wonder at how it gives you delight and joy. Doesn't joy lessen the tension of your tired body at the end of a stressful day at work? Wouldn't it be right to bring such joy to our daily lives by enriching our environment with the ever-enchanting crystal chandeliers? I may be in wishful thinking mode as I write this article. I may be too idealistic. In reality, people are the ones who create the world we live in. It is us who dictate our own personal realities to the world. So why not enhance the reality we need. You must take control of our lighting fundamentals. Choose the style of crystal chandeliers to light your home, a style to suit your own taste. The modern day influence on the designs of crystal chandelier is prevalent on the recent editions of chandeliers. The present designs provide a sense of modernity to one's interior decoration emphasizing the owner's sense of appreciation. You can have an array of modern day crystal chandeliers which are made of two or more materials like metals painted with chrome, silver, gold, or bronze and are combined with glass materials enhanced with stylish lighting elements or candle holders within it. The arts and craftsmanship are results of advanced tools and equipment available nowadays. Crystal chandelier market has received a lot of boosting that is why people can make use of this piece of arts to enhance their somewhat humble homes and make it look like a mansion of their dreams. Chandelier can easily control the motif of the interior decoration of a simple-looking house. Chandelier designs can be custom-made based on a customer's personal choice as this is one way of exploring his own designing skills and displaying his own brand of art. Most manufacturers and sellers observed that buyers prefer crystal chandelier because of its "flashing elegance and beauty, reflecting any lights that might come upon it." Crystal chandeliers come in an array of selection which could fit to an individual's taste and personality. There are people who still go for the Victorian or Renaissance type. If you the type of person who cannot decide which you really want, you can always consult professional interior designers. Normally, manufacturers or sellers can give you bits and pieces of advice as to the kind of chandelier would fit to your home. Oftentimes, consultations and estimations are given free of charge. Lighten up your life, enrich it and indulge your senses with the dazzling beauty of the ever enchanting world of crystal chandeliers.

Article Author Ma. Roma Agsalud from Jump2top.com, a SEO Company. Visit GoldenAge Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Chandelier FAQ: Answers About Owning And Operating A Chandelier

* Are all chandeliers made of crystal?

No. Traditional chandeliers are made of crystal, but there are many types of chandeliers available on the market that are made of wrought iron, alabaster, and more.


* What voltage do chandeliers come in?

Chandeliers come in 120 volts to 240 volts. It is important that you know what voltage your country has before buying a chandelier.

In the United States you should use 120 volt light bulbs in our chandelier. You can find the voltage written on the bulb, usually right under the wattage, such as "60 watts, 120v"


* What types of light bulbs should I use with a chandelier?

It depends on what type of light you want to have in a room. There are candlelight bulbs that give the effect of a candle, an extra bright light bulb, and there are even light bulbs that flicker to give the impression of candles being blown by the wind.


* How big should my chandelier be?

Estimating the size of a chandelier to be used is not a precise skill. Most interior designers normally advise that your chandelier should depend on the size of your space. If you have a 13 x 15 foot room, for instance, it is suggested that you pick a chandelier with a minimum diameter of 28 inches.


* What is the best way to clean a chandelier?

The best way to clean a chandelier is: First, dust the chandelier using a feather duster. Make sure that the chandelier is switched off, so that the lights are not hot when cleaning it. Second, put a big garbage bag under it and spray a chandelier cleaner over the entire chandelier. Let it dry for a moment. Lastly, wipe the chandelier to make it look like new.


* What precautions should I take to ensure that a chandelier does not fall?

In order to ensure that your chandelier does not fall, you should know how to properly install it. Consider the following safety precautions on how to correctly install a chandelier:

- You can hang the chandelier in the place where you once put your ceiling or drop fixtures.

- If your chandelier is heavy, check the ceiling box to make sure that the chandelier is mounted securely.

- If your chandelier has any instructions given by the manufacturer, read them carefully and follow them in detail.

- The chandelier should be screwed in firmly to have enough support.

- Before switching the chandelier on, make sure that it is mounted tightly and securely.


* Will my house insurance cover the chandelier?

If you have customized your homeowners insurance policy and decided to include the chandelier in your insurance coverage, then it is covered by your insurance.

Indy Clasby is editor of iChandelier, the online guide to Chandeliers. She also writes Chandelier FAQ's for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

BABY NURSERY CHANDELIERS Unique Lighting Options

Adequate lighting is needed in any nursery for a baby's safety. But replace those Plain Jane fixtures and sconces with eye-popping chandeliers and you've got way more than just light. You've got eye-popping d?cor! There's just something about a great chandelier that draws the eye the minute you enter the room.

We work so hard to create a lovely baby girl's frilly nursery with ribbons, bows and lots of other convections of color and style so a chandelier is just the fluffy frosting on the cake, so to speak!

For a baby boys nursery chandeliers are rustic and in keeping with the interests of a little boy. Selections can range from sports themes to camping and the great outdoors. Rustic style fixtures will work nicely with many themes of the outdoors. Cover some existing mini shades with a buffalo plaid or burlap to make a generic black iron chandelier take on a whole new personality.

Most modern homes can handle more than one chandelier. Don't limit your decorative lighting to the center of the dining area. Always gauge the size of your accessories to the amount of space to be filled. If your nursery has a high ceiling a longer fixture would be appropriate. If you are dealing with a standard sized area, a smaller selection may be order. Keep in mind that smaller does not mean less style. A mini chandelier that suits the space is preferable over a large piece that will leave a fussy or overcrowded impression.

When shopping for a child's chandelier don't ask the salesperson to point you in the direction of kid's room accessories. Often these specialized items are overpriced and completely over-rated. It's much better to use your imagination and compliment your nursery d?cor. You really don't want an item that shouts its identity as a mass produced juvenile accessory. The lighting should give a nod to its surroundings. A courtly bow is not always necessary

For instance, for a Disney nursery theme, there's no need for the shades to be covered in cartoon characters unless the rest of the room is understated. If this is the case, there's certainly nothing wrong with an area of activity. On the other hand, too many prints or pictures within any given area would not be desirable.

Color and versatility are other considerations. It's entirely possible to start with simple black wrought iron chandeliers with white shades and get stunning results. Transform those boring white shades with some trim and Voila you have created a one of a kind nursery accessory. You will have a chandelier that can be made to work with any nursery theme.

Completely change the personality of your lighting by looping strings of imitation pearls, twinkle lights or attaching silk flowers. There are many ways to embellish a generic piece if you feel the need for a little something extra.

If you have a family heirloom then you probably should not deface it with spray paint or disturb the basics of the chandelier, but shades are easily changed and cheap to replace!

Freelance Author of Nursery Decorating Articles Baby Gear Reviews and Webmaster for http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com.html

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Sunday, March 2, 2008

Factors To Consider In Selecting The Right Crystal Chandelier

Most people want to make sure that they have beautiful and attractive homes. They usually find a decor or work of arts that can make their homes elegant enough to make appealing homes.

Putting crystal chandelier is typically a good way of making a home attractive enough not only for the owners of the house themselves but also to their visitors. There are lots of people who hang crystal chandelier in their homes to make it sophisticated and beautiful.

Indeed, crystal chandelier can make a home appealing, with its beauty and elegance, certainly each crystal chandeliers are work of arts. There are plenty of crystal chandeliers with different colors, shapes, designs, and sizes. Each of these can definitely make a home an alluring one.

Each crystal chandelier can make a beautiful home but there are still some factors that needed to be follow to help you out in your search for the best crystal chandelier for your home.

Before purchasing a crystal chandelier, you have to decide first the room that you want to put your crystal chandelier since each room requires different style, design and size of crystal chandeliers.

In selecting for crystal chandelier, you have to consider the specific room you want to put a crystal chandelier. You have to match it with the design, style and size of the specific room. In order to make sure that it will add up a lot more beauty and elegance to your home, you have to match it up with your room’s design, style and size. Either way, you can change the design and style of your specific room and follow it with the design and style of the crystal chandelier you purchased.

Size of the crystal chandelier is very important; it can make you avoid dullness and crowdedness of your specific room such as dining room, living room and foyer.

There are measures that you can follow in selecting crystal chandelier for the rooms of your home such as the foyer, dining room and living room.

If you prefer to put a crystal chandelier in your foyer, 2.5 to 3.5 feet wide crystal chandelier is what you should purchase. If you want to place a crystal chandelier in your dining room, and you have a six person dining table, 1.5 to 2 feet crystal chandelier is what you should purchase. If you have an eight person table, 2 to 1.5 feet crystal chandelier is what you should hang. If you have 10 to 12 person dining table, 2.5 to 3.5 feet crystal chandelier is what you should buy. If you want to put a crystal chandelier in your living room, 20 to 30% of your living room’s width is what you should buy in a crystal chandelier.

Wanting a crystal chandelier is not simply buying one and hangs it to your home; you have to consider certain factors to make sure that the crystal chandelier you purchase is the right one for your home or for the specific room of your home to make sure it will add beauty and elegance.

Following these certain factors can help you find the right crystal chandelier that can give beauty, appeal, elegance and spark to one’s home.

Eliza Maledevic writes for http://Jump2Top.com - SEO Company

Eliza Maledevic Ayson
http://www.goldenageusa.com

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Chandelier Crash Course (for Men)

Ask any female what they first think of when you say the word "chandelier" and they'll tell you about that romantic ballroom scene from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Ask any male that same question and most likely you'll get a blank stare. I call this so-called phenomenon the "Huh? Response."

Educating the male in your life that there's more to lighting than desk lamps won't be as hard as asking two of them to screw in a light bulb. In fact, it's so simple, a caveman can do it (cue Geico voiceover)! Let's start easy, WHAT is a chandelier? According to dictionary.reference.com, a chandelier is "a decorative, sometimes ornate, light fixture suspended from a ceiling, usually having branched supports for a number of lights."

WHERE exactly, should one hang a chandelier? Well my dear, one of the best places to hang your chandelier is in the foyer right when your guests step into your home. A magnificent display of light will greet your visitors, family members, solicitors, what have you. Other fabulous places to hang your chandelier include the dining room or living room. The addition of something as grandiose as a chandelier will automatically transform any normal living or dining setting into one fit for a king.

But don't think that any chandelier will do! Take into consideration the style that you're going for. Let's say you are the proud owner of a 16th century style ceiling light that looks simply…16th century. Three tiers of Gothic style candelabra lamps with chain detail complete with iron scroll-work and arrow-styled arms doesn't really say "Welcome to my Avant-garde home," but it may suggest that you'll all be dining in your dungeon. Unless you DO have a dungeon (and the aforementioned chandelier I described would look TERRIFIC in it), I suggest taking someone of sound mind with you in choosing the perfect chandelier. After all, you'll need the spectacular looking lighting to distract your visitors long enough to come up with a good excuse as to why your place is a mess.

Looking for awesome chandeliers or perhaps even some pendant lighting? Look no further than Eco-Lights.com!

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Residential Art Glass Lighting - Design Trends in Chandeliers, Sconces, & Pendants

Much in the way jazz altered our concept of music, glass art has changed our expectations of residential lighting. In fact, glass art lighting is being hailed as one of the hottest new trends to hit luxury home design. According to 25-year Southern California interior designer Greg Griffith, G. Griffith & Co. of Destin, FL, “It’s emerging as a transitional point for a more energetic look. From Asian to 18th Century, every style and design can incorporate glass art lighting. The fact that these are actual sculptured pieces means you’re adding art to the room without cluttering the wall.”

Aside from aesthetics, the benefit to glass art lighting is that it’s so flexible, it ends up resolving many design conflicts. Take, for example, the story of the Wisdom Window. This stained glass piece was created by a California glass artist to create a welcoming light at the end of a dark, New York apartment hallway. The artist created four matching sconces, but wanted the end of the hallway to feel like a window. He innovated a design where a diffuser sheet will be installed underneath the stained glass piece, and lit from behind.

One New York glass artist developed a unique way to illuminate her bathroom. She created her own mosaic glass sink and lit it from underneath to create a warm, amber glow. It also doubles as her nightlight. To underscore the look of an underlit sink, matching sconces are ideal. Some kitchen designers are commissioning glass art sconces and pendants to match underlit glass kitchen countertops. This creates interesting, ambient lighting in a more finished-looking lighting package.

Glass art lighting can be a subtle accent, or a prism through which the light bathes a room in a swatch of exotic colors. “I find many decorators driving décor based on the lighting fixtures,” says Seattle-based glass artist, Suzanne Guttman. “It’s easy to fall in love with a tentacled pendant light or chandelier and make it the centerpiece of a room.”

The Cost of Beautiful

Investing in gorgeous glass art lighting is less daunting than one may assume. A Bellagio budget isn’t necessary to incorporate museum-quality glass lighting into a residential design. Sconces range from $400 to $1,200; small pendant lighting (suspended by one point in the ceiling) ranges from $300 to $600; larger pendants and chandeliers can range from $1,500 to $10,000. Serious collectors consider glass art an investment as well as being an aesthetic piece, just as they would an original painting, or a piece of antique furniture.

Glass Art Lighting 101

Once a homeowner decides on glass art lighting, it’s helpful to know a little about the glass and where it should be used, based on its physical characteristics. Here are some tips:

Blown glass has some limitations to the size and diameter that an artist can create. Some blown glass lighting utilizes many pieces in its design to create a larger, more sculptural effect.

Cast glass is very beautiful, but quite unusual in lighting because it is very heavy to suspend. One glass artist has created a woven glass technique that takes on the look of woven fabric, and results in a glass art lighting fixture that feels like a glass blanket.

Fused & slumped glass is popular for glass art lighting. Through the use of molds, fusing allows the artist to create large diameter canopied type lighting, thus enabling a single shade to be up to 48” in diameter. This creates consistency in shape and wonderful, unusual textures.

Etched glass is another wonderful medium for flat panel lighting. Pieces such as The Three Graces, by glass artist Margaret Oldman, can be lit with plain or multi-colored fiber optics, depending on the look a designer is trying to achieve.

Mosaic and stained glass are similar, in that they’re both ideal for flat panel lighting. Artists will often incorporate Italian smalti glass, blown sheets of transparent glass broken into small pieces, or dichroic glass, which is coated on one side with a metallic-like mirror finish.

Buyer Beware

One thing homeowners should remember, especially with lighting, is to be sure that the glass artist they’ve chosen understands how the electrical specs will dovetail with the piece, and that they know U.L. standards. As founder of Glass Artists Gallery, I estimate that close to 30% of our first-time customers come to us because they had negative experiences commissioning residential glass art lighting on their own. We are very careful about screening the artists we represent to make sure they understand the technical specifications

In short, glass art lighting choices become a very personal way to reveal a homeowner’s fingerprint on the interior design. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.”

For more information or to see thousands of images of art glass lighting, visit Art Lighting Gallery

Jack Healy is part owner of Functional Art Gallery, LLC - Functional Art Gallery - a growing family of online resources for the designer, architect, builder and discerning homeowner. The company focuses on handcrafted functional & architectural works of art for both residential and commercial projects. The Functional Art Gallery family includes Glass Artists Gallery, Sinks Gallery and Art Lighting Gallery. Together these resources provide the largest collection of artisan and designer products available in North America.

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Sunday, December 2, 2007

Classicism in Crystal Chandeliers

 

Have you ever felt being regal by just staring at a crystal chandelier? I would say that crystal chandeliers exude elegance to whatever place it’s mounted on. The underlying beauty in it is the feeling of being part of a royal family and seeing the exquisite beauty it radiates. Wouldn't it be nice to hang a chandelier in your own home?

Several modern crystal chandeliers are often very ornate with dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass shapes to illuminate the room in many intricate patterns. More often, you can observe such from a five star hotel or from homes of wealthy families. Buying a crystal chandelier could be of a luxury to any average family but to some filthy rich people it is their pride to expose the grandeur of their house. The fixture's popularity has been a status symbol from the 15th century up to this point of time. No average family could ever afford to buy this lighting fixture for the purpose of illuminating their house. Not to mention that crystal chandeliers are use to efficiently lighten up large halls during medieval period. They were used in medieval churches and abbeys.

Way back in 15th century, chandeliers based on ring and crown designs began to become popular decorative features. This paved the way to the status symbol in every society. By early 18th century, chandeliers made of ornate cast brass flourished among the house of merchant classes, also development of glass making during this time lead to the production of cheaper lead crystal. The light scattering properties of this highly refractive glass became more prominent which piloted the production of crystal chandeliers. Through out the years more complex and elaborate ceiling fixtures continued to develop until the widespread introduction of gas and eventually electrical lighting which devalued the traditional form of its lighting appeal.

Towards the end of 20th century, crystal chandeliers were used as a decorative focal point to any room, which defeated the purpose of illuminating large rooms. Now, the world's biggest crystal chandelier is located in Dolmabahce Palace, Turkey. It was a gift from Britain to His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor of the Ottomans.

This majestic charm of crystal chandelier is attracting people to decorate their houses with grandiosity. Currently, you can have a variety of different designs of these ceiling fixtures being sold in the market. Your taste would actually depend on how you would like to exude classicism on your own house. You may want to have it made from crystal, wrought iron, brass and others. To find the right style chandelier for your home, simply begin with a color or a material that is predominant in the decoration scheme of the room. What catches your eye in the room? What type of statement do you want to make? If the room is more traditional, choose crystal chandeliers with more ornamentation and decorative details. If your home is modern, opt for less ornamentation and simpler details.

But be reminded that in choosing your chandelier s make sure that it blends with the design and paintings of your house.Eliza Maledevic from Jump2top.com, a SEO Company. Visit GoldenAge Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

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Monday, November 26, 2007

Astonishing Crystal Chandeliers

Definitely, no one can deny the beauty and charm of crystal chandeliers.

Since the 17th century, these amazing pieces have been delighted us and until now.

Nowadays, there are heaps of different types of crystal chandeliers. One of the crystal chandeliers that stand out is the Strass crystal. Strass crystal is manufactured by Swarovski. It is actually recognized as the world’s finest crystal.

This crystal is first machine cut, next hand polished and soon be coated with an unseen optical layer, which will create an astonishing effect. Actually, these Swarovski crystals are the ones to be used every year in the design of the excellent Swarovski Crystal Palace Collections. These astonishing crystal chandelier designs was first introduced last 2002, and the latest presentation happened in April 2006.

Now, let us see some of the astonishing crystal chandelier designs that have been here for years.

In 2006, fashion designers Bruno Basso and Christopher Brooke designed a chandelier the ‘Science and Fiction’. The chandelier’s shape was based on the Marie-Therese design, which was known with the 18th century Empress of Austria. Ornate candle arms is what the Marie-Therese chandelier was noted for, and now, the ‘Science and Fiction’ has paid respect with this old standard. The chandelier has 111 crystals and 32 lit black candles, which makes it an amazing one.

Ferrucio Laviani, a contemporary designer, has shown an astounding chandelier in 2005 which was called ‘Yoga’. Yoga has 100 crystals with different pastel shades and together with this was a beautiful gold frame. Yoga’s shape is like a children’s top. It is lit with halogens, which cast off a mild and calm glow of colors.

‘Mediterraneo’ is another beautiful chandelier which was introduced by Gaetano Pesce. The chandelier was made up with 140 crystals stands and each consists of 87 Swarovski crystals which are lit by LED. Actually, this is truly a excellent and magnificent crystal design. It even emits calming and relaxing smell and it also changes shape which is appealing to the viewers.

‘Vertigo’ is a chandelier which was designed by Chris Levine. This chandelier is like the old traditional chandelier that you can see in ballrooms. But the advantage of Vertigo is that it is lit with laser lights all through the rows of crystals. And it end up being a stunning chandelier.

‘Run of the mill’ chandeliers are now the thing of the past. Since designers nowadays are keep on experimenting and creating with the artistic beauty of crystals. They are now heaps of stunning and excellent designs of crystal chandeliers. It actually makes a lot of people discover the beauty and charm that can be seen in crystal chandeliers.

Certainly, lot of people believes that crystal chandeliers can make their homes more appealing and will add beauty to their furniture and fixtures. It certainly adds impact to the ambience of a room. And there are heaps of designs of crystal chandeliers; all you have to do is choose the best that will fit to the design of your home

 Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company. Know more about Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

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