Tiara of Lights: The History of Chandeliers

Chandeliers have always seemed synonymous with elegance, wealth, and beauty. Immortalized by Hollywood, one might believe that no grand house was complete, unless it had a lavish cut-crystal chandelier hanging in the formal dining room. Surprisingly, the true history of the chandelier dates back to a time long before beautiful southern belles and movie stars. In fact, the first chandeliers were quite humble, when compared to their modern counterparts.

The word 'chandelier' comes from the French word 'chandelle,' meaning candle, and the earliest forms of these lights simply consisted of a wooden cross, designed with a small spike at each end. Candles, made of animal fat in those days, were attached to each of these wooden spikes and the chandelier was then supported from the ceiling. Since there was no electricity, the only alternatives were a small sputtering tallow that could be carried about, wall sconces which only illuminated small sections of rooms, or the glow of a fireplace. The chandelier, therefore, offered a better form of lighting and was commonly used in places such as medieval churches and abbeys during the 15th century.

The first chandeliers that were designed for private use, were only found in the homes of the very wealthy or powerful. The humble farmer or common tradesman had little use for such forms of lighting, most planning their days around the rising and setting of the sun. Modest homes were often poorly constructed and tiny, the concept of a chandelier being little more than a fire hazard to such domiciles.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the chandelier began to find its way into the homes of more prosperous merchants and, as housing quality began to improve, finally into the homes of the working class. While wealthier homes boasted ornately-crafted chandeliers of brass, the more common households used wood, wrought iron, and tin sheet for their chandeliers. Additionally, the chandelier began to evolve as artisans began to experiment with light refraction, using mirrors, polished brass plates and quartz crystals.

In 1676, an English glassmaker, George Ravenscroft, introduced leaded glass to the world of lighting. Softer to work with and better able to refract light, this soon became the preferred material for chandeliers. By the late 1800's, a better method of cutting the leaded glass would be perfected by Daniel Swarovsky, of Austria. This would mark a turning point for the chandelier, where it would cease to simply be functional, but would now become a work of art.

The invention of electric lighting and better methods of manufacturing have only served to help the chandelier survive throughout the ages. Modern creators have taken this art form to new levels, creating chandeliers beyond one's wildest imaginations; glass slippers, martini glasses, chandeliers that look like thousands of glowing flower blossoms or even u.f.o.s, it would seem that the possibilities are endless. Ranging in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars, there is a chandelier for every home and, seemingly, every d?cor theme imaginable. Having outlived the test of time, it appears to be a lighting form that is bound to remain, and keep surprising us, far into the future.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.chandeliers-central.info

Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!

Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!

If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider adding chandeliers to the rooms. Chandeliers offer added elegance and charm as well as light. There are many to choose from and these can be custom made as well. A popular choice is the crystal chandelier. This beautiful piece of art is a great piece to add to a home.

If you are in the market for a chandelier, you will want to shop around to find the right one to fit your home, not only in size and shape, but in style and charm as well. There are so many choices, choices like the crystal chandeliers that sparkle and even the candle chandeliers that glow. Finding the right fit for a chandelier in your home is important depending on the function of the room, the size and color of the room, and the style of the home. Finding the right one, therefore, will take some work, but it can be done.

One option when looking for the proper chandelier for your home is to travel to home improvement stores that are so numerous these days. Often times they will have a wide selection available that you can purchase and take home that day. If you do not find what you are looking for there, try specialty stores. Items can often be ordered if not in stock. Some allow the customer to design their own to a point.

Obliviously, these may need to be ordered and will take some time to receive. Yet another option is finding the proper chandelier from home using the Internet. With so many online retailers at your finger tips, you cannot have a better chance to find the right chandler. Many of these places also offer chandelier shades and even chandelier parts just in case. Having as many options as possible will give you a great opportunity to find just the right one for your home.

Take the time to find the best chandelier for your home. Consider where it will be and the rooms purpose. Also consider the your tastes and the style of your home. Of course you will be limited by a budget, perhaps, but taking time to look in all the possible places (online, home improvement store, and specialty stores) will give you many options.

Mike Yeager
http://www.a1-lighting-4u.com/
mjy610@hotmail.com

My Elderly Father Was Swinging From the Chandelier, Protecting The Dignity Of Aging Loved Ones

Often, the focus of the person providing the direct care is on protecting their loved one, and enhancing their dignity and self-esteem. As their loved ones behavior becomes unpredictable and care needs increase, it is sometimes easier to avoid telling anyone, or going out in public, such as church or visiting with friends.

The Challenge - The person providing the direct care has difficultly sharing with family and friends the actual behaviors and physical care needs of their loved one, resulting in caregiver isolation. It can be over whelming and sometimes embarrassing for the caregiver to share the details of the loved ones condition or behavior with family members, neighbors or people at church. Many family members only see what is really happening when they get together for special occasions and holidays.

The Solution - Being aware of your loved ones condition and behavior is essential in helping the direct caregiver.

1. The family may want to schedule regular visits on a rotating schedule, so they can see their loved ones behavior first hand.
• Sometimes each family member sees things in a little different way, and if they each visit at different times they can get together later to share their views of the situation.
• The direct caregiver may react differently to each family member; being more open with some.
 

2. The direct caregiver and/or other family members may want to join a support group. It is sometimes easier to discuss the situation with others who are in similar situations as yours.

3. Explore ways of protecting the dignity and self-esteem of your loved one:
• Explain their condition and behavior openly to others before they see the person.
• Accommodations can be made to make you and your loved one more comfortable in a public situation. For example, the Alzheimers' Association has cards that can be given to the server in a restaurant that explains your loved ones dementia and behavior.

As you visit your aging loved ones, observe for changing care needs and behaviors. Have different family members or friends visit at different times of the day and evening. Stay the night. Provide opportunities for the direct caregiver to discuss the most challenging aspect of care. Talk with friends and family members about their observations. Develop ways to protect the dignity and self esteem of your loved one when inviting people in or when taking the loved one out.

Carol McGowan RN and Cindy Streekstra RN are Caregiver Coaches and geriatric nurses who share a mission of caring for caregivers as part of a family unit. Their passion for caregivers has led them to create The Caregiver Cottage, a virtual place of support where they guide family caregivers through the care giving experience.

Click here for more information on planning for elder care http://www.guidingfamilycaregiving.com

Tips in Making Your Crystal Chandelier Sparkling Clean

Indeed, putting a crystal chandelier can add beauty and elegance to any room.

One can put the crystal chandelier to your hall, or dining table, in your bedroom, or even in your bathroom, you can put it to any place you please, absolutely it will add spark in that certain area.

But in order to make sure that your crystal chandelier can always add beauty, elegance and spark into your home; you have to give time to clean it. For sure you wanted a shiny crystal chandelier than a dusty chandelier, do I make sense now. This article will give you some tips in cleaning and making your crystal chandelier sparkling clean.

For a rapid cleaning, you better start by putting newspaper or towels into the floor, a drop cloth beneath the crystal chandelier, to make sure that the home will not get messy just because you’re cleaning a certain part of it. Now, you have to use a long-handled feather duster and reach it up and clean as much as you can. The next thing to do is take a glass cleaner and spray your crystal chandelier. Do not hesitate to wet you crystal chandelier with glass cleaner, actually that would be a good idea. Then just let it drip off, then that’s it. With that little work, your crystal chandelier is sparkling clean again. This is a great and easy way to clean your crystal chandelier.

But of course, immense cleaning should happen even once a year, which would be a more outstanding way to make sure that you crystal chandelier is well cleaned. You just have to bear in mind that immense cleaning requires scrubbing and disassembly. But of course, this article will give you tips on how to go about immense cleaning.

The first thing you should do is turn out the light. Then you gently remove the lamps of from the fixtures. But of course, you need someone to help you especially if the crystal chandelier is big and heavy. If you prefer not to remove the crystal chandelier and just leave the crystal chandelier attached, all you have to do then is remove the crystals since they need some cleaning. Then you have to remove the bulbs of the crystal chandelier. In order to protect your crystal chandelier it is wiser to lay down a folded towel into the wash pan or any basin you decide to use for cleaning. The next thing you should do is fill the basin with hot water and add soap or any detergent of your choice. Then gently remove each crystal and wash them with the soap or detergent, rinse them will the hot water, it is even wiser to have another basin with hot water with a little ammonia in it, if you desire to. Wipe the crystals dry and immediately put the crystals back onto the chandelier. Now, you have to bear in mind that you do not have to remove the crystal all at the same time, because you might forget the exact place of the crystals when you are putting them back, so better to remove one at a time. Then you have to wipe the arms of the crystal chandelier. Then wipe the bulbs and as soon as you are done wiping put the bulbs back to there socket.

At some point, you can’t determine how dirty a thing is unless you will see it sparkling clean again. So in order to see your crystal chandeliers sparkling clean again, you better do the tips these article mentioned.

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

Crystal Chandelier Can Give Sophistication to One's Home

Definitely, crystal chandelier can add beauty to one’s home. It can make you home elegant and appealing.

Crystal chandeliers are lighting decors that can make you home appealing and elegant, but you have to know that crystal chandeliers come in different types with different colors, designs, style and sizes, so you will be having variety of array that you can choose from as you look for the best crystal chandelier that suits your home.

In purchasing a crystal chandelier in a home, there are some points that you have to consider to make sure that it will look at its best as it hangs on your ceiling.

In choosing a crystal chandelier, one of the points to consider is the design and style of your home, so you have to look for a crystal chandelier that matches your home.

Size is another factor to consider. You have to consider the space where you want to put the crystal chandelier. If the space is huge, then you can put a large crystal chandelier, since if you will put a little one, it will just look dull. If the space is little, then you have to put a small crystal chandelier, since if you put big crystal chandelier in a small space, then it will look crowded.

If you want to put a crystal chandelier in your home, you have to decide the exact room where you want to put your crystal chandelier. You have to know that each room requires different styles and sizes of crystal chandelier.

There are some procedures that you have to consider in order to determine the right and appropriate size in a particular room in your home that you want to put a crystal chandelier. This article will give you the procedures that you need to follow, so all you have to do is read on.

If you desire to put a crystal chandelier in your dining room, you have to choose a crystal chandelier that is about 1.5 to 2 feet wide if you have a six person dining table. If you dining table is an eight person table, then you have to choose a crystal chandelier that is 2 to 1.5 feet wide. If you have dining table which is 10 to 12 person table, you have to put crystal chandelier which is 2.5 to 3.5 feet wide.

If you desire to put a crystal chandelier in your entrance hall, then you have to choose a crystal chandelier that is 30 to 40% o your foyer’s width.

If you have to put a crystal chandelier in your living room, then you have to choose a crystal chandelier that is 20 to 30% of your living room’s width.

These are the procedures that can be helpful on finding the right size of crystal chandelier that can fit to the particular room you intend to put a crystal chandelier.

With all of these points that this article mentioned that you have to consider can be helpful on your part to look for the crystal chandelier that can make one’s home sophisticated and elegant.

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

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

Sparkling Chandelier for a More Attractive Home

Chandeliers are fixtures at the ceiling with about two or more arms that bear lights. Chandeliers were first seen and used in medieval churches to illuminate large halls. Way back, chandeliers were typically made with wooden cross which have spikes, so to secure it.

As time goes by, chandeliers became more elaborate and more sophisticated. The chandeliers were not only for lighting purposes only but it became an attractive and appealing decoration. There are no wonder why chandeliers can be seen in palaces and home of the rich people. Chandelier actually became symbol of wealth.

Indeed, chandeliers can make a home an attractive, beautiful, appealing and sparkling. They come with different varieties such as contemporary chandeliers, wrought iron chandeliers, crystal chandeliers and a lot, lot more. Crystal chandeliers are actually the most popular type. A lot of people love to purchase crystal chandelier for their own homes. Yes, you heard me right, people purchase crystal chandeliers for their own homes, indeed there are chandeliers out in the market that are affordable. So everybody can purchase their own chandeliers. Each variety has a lot of different kinds. Like for instance, crystal chandelier, it comes with different kinds such as Versailles, original French Baccarat chandeliers, Venetian Murano chandeliers, bohemian, custom made chandeliers and more.

So if you want to add up the beauty of chandelier into you home, you have to choose from the wide selection of chandeliers. Each type can give beauty to any home, but of course you have to pick one that will go well with the style of your home. Making sure that chandelier will go well with your home can add up the beauty and appeal to your home, which is actually your main goal why you want to put a chandelier to your home.

Take time in choosing the chandelier you pleases to see hanging around your home. Consider the size of your space in choosing, in order to make it more appealing not dull or crowded. Size really matters in choosing the chandelier that will go well to your home.

Color is also important, find the one that will match to the motif of your home. Make sure that each decor of your home matches to make it more attractive and appealing. You definitely want to make your home a great place, so make sure that everything matches.

As soon as you finally found the chandelier that you believe will go well with your home, putting it to the ceiling is the next thing you have to do. But before that you have to make sure that the electric box can still accommodate additional lightning. Make sure as well that you will purchase the right bulbs.

As a piece of advice, in order to make sure that the chandelier will remain its spark and charm, take time to clean it. Use large duster to clean it up. And better to do deep cleaning even once a year to make sure that the chandelier will continually have the spark and the charm.

Indeed, chandelier can make a home more appealing and attractive, so you have to treat the chandelier right, take care of it. Clean it. In order for the chandelier to remain sparkling and beautiful, you have to take care of it as well http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company. Know more about Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

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

Antique Chandeliers

Chandeliers conjure visions of royalty, grandeur and opulence. Though sleeker and slimmer versions have evolved, there’s still an aura of antiquity that surrounds a chandelier. So when one is striving for an antique look for his home, going in for turn-of-the-century furniture, a decadent looking fireplace and a chandelier are the first things on his mind.

Chandeliers conjure visions of royalty, grandeur and opulence. Though sleeker and slimmer versions have evolved, there’s still an aura of antiquity that surrounds a chandelier. So when one is striving for an antique look for his home, going in for turn-of-the-century furniture, a decadent looking fireplace and a chandelier are the first things on his mind.

If you are one of the lucky ones who possess an old chandelier handed down to you through generations, then you wouldn’t need to lift a finger. For the not so lucky ones, you would need to hunt for a piece that would look convincingly old. Shops selling antique pieces would definitely be your first stop. For nothing can really replicate that old look better than a piece actually made years back. But if they cannot satisfy you, you have no other choice but to get a ready-made variety and try to give it an old look.

First, steer clear of the slim-trim polished-steel chandeliers. These are especially designed for modern homes with clean-cut furniture and can never be passed off as old. Antique chandeliers are ornate pieces with very intricate carvings.

Candle chandeliers have an inherent archaic feel to them. An antique chandelier can be made of crystal, wrought iron, or brass or antlers, and they are never shiny in appearance. That is why you just cannot buy a wrought-iron or a brass type of chandelier and install it, hoping that it would impart an antique look to the environs. The chandelier must be worked upon so that there is an authentic antique feel to it. To replicate an old look, you need to apply an antiquing glaze on it. While the glaze is still wet, you need to rub off the shine from it with a soft cloth. The latter is done to achieve a worn-out look.

After working on the chandelier, it is also important o have the other furniture catered to the antique look. For a single antique or antique-looking chandelier cannot bring about an antique feel in the ambience. A chandelier will look antique only when there’s an antique atmosphere around it.

Chandeliers provides detailed information about chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, antler chandeliers, candle chandeliers and more. Chandeliers is the sister site of Kitchen Curtains.