Choosing Your Chandelier

From days of yore chandeliers have always been highly regarded for their elegance and beauty. They set the scene. They are a display of opulence and give an atmosphere of grandeur, status and wealth. The size and complexity of the chandelier, particularly the dazzling crystal chandelier with its sparkling prisms that cascade the room with rainbows, proclaimed the eminent owner's degree of luxury lifestyle. They would be and still are today often found in the entrance halls, foyers and atriums of celebrated public establishments, theatres and the like.

Nowadays the demand for chandeliers, and particularly for different varieties of chandeliers, has increased beyond imagination; such that they have become far more commonplace in the last few decades. The huge increase in the differing styles of chandelier may seem bewildering to someone who wants to buy a one but without a clear idea of exactly which sort. Here are some guidelines to help clarify exactly what will be suitable for you.

The first important point to consider is exactly where the chandelier will hang. Will it be in the entrance hall, living room, dining room, or wherever? Then you will need to decide upon its exact location within that room so as to be able to judge the right size. You will need to know the minimum and maximum height and width dimensions. Obviously you need a chandelier that fulfils your intention for buying it. If the room it is to go in has a high ceiling, you will automatically need a larger size chandelier. If it is to go in a cozy alcove, you will want to make sure that no one is going to bang their head when they walk under it. Generally chandeliers hang from a chain that is attached to the ceiling, so you have a degree of flexibility as to its height from the floor. The type of lighting is another concern. If you use normal electric bulbs, you will need to be able to replace them occasionally. If you have chosen a candle chandelier (originally all chandeliers had candles for lights), then you need to consider that they will need replacing continually.

If you're ceiling is not so high, you would obviously do better to choose an appropriately diminutive model and then you also have options of complementing the chandelier with additional lighting such as standard or table lamps, wall sconces and the like. The Italian and Murano chandeliers are particularly elegant as well as being compact. You would do well to consider having dimmer switches for your lights. This enables you to create different ambiances as well as controlling the energy consumption - an important consideration in our forever changing world.

Julian Pollock is a practising accountant and a trained therapist as well as a successful web site publisher. among his publications is a website on chandeliers, candelabra and lanterns (chandelier-mall.com).

Alabaster Chandeliers

Alabaster chandeliers are gorgeous in concept and design, giving a sophisticated soft look to the room. The finishes chosen are generally light, such as a tortoise finish, in order to compliment the alabaster and bring out its beauty.

Alabaster chandeliers are manufactured in Valencia, Spain and other places and are customized according to specifications. They generally come with a 10-year warranty against tarnishing and factory defects and a 30-day money back guarantee. Prices range from $700 to $6000 or more, depending on model, width, height and design of the shades used.

One could go for traditional chandeliers that feature classic craftsmanship. Some designs include, for example, a cluster of iron scrolls, which beautifully accent glass lamps made of alabaster. Others come in sienna-cast alabaster stone finish along with hand polished multi-faceted glass crystals, giving a luxurious look.

There are chandeliers that draw on the popular mission style with bold lines and faux alabaster glass combinations that come in a double-tier design. The finish is light bronze, complimenting the alabaster glass. Other chandeliers could have an antique tortoise finish with beautiful natural alabaster shades.

One could get simple alabaster chandeliers, such as an alabaster bowl on a chain, or choose more complex elaborate designs, which have a number of smaller alabaster shades.

One could browse through the selections provided on the Internet to get information on detailed specifications and pricing. Accordingly, one could place an order or get the chandelier customized according to one's own specifications.

Alabaster chandeliers are beautiful in concept and design and well worth the cost.

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Which Style of Chandelier Suits Your Lighting Needs?

When it comes to lighting effects, not all chandeliers are alike. Here is a run down of the different types of chandeliers and the type of light they are likely to cast over your dining room table.

Late Victorian: The late Victorian style of chandelier lighting is very similar to the late seventies style of chandelier. This style consists of stacked circular glass blown globes that are stacked in brass wheels of usually eight and then four tiers. This type of chandelier casts a very soft pearly glow and look best in a dim wood paneled room. The more stark seventies versions with the pure white opaque glass look best hanging over a kitchen table and tend to cast a much brighter light.

Gas Electric: This style of chandelier consists of tulip shaped flutes and is usually made of heavy engraved glass. In Victorian times there would have been candles inside these frosted flutes but now a days there is candle shaped light bulbs or regular light bulbs. This style of chandelier which is usually mounted on a metallic wheel, whether it be brass, iron or metal, are usually very bright and sometimes look better somewhere like a bathroom where you need lots of light and not necessarily in a dining room where something more subtle is required.

Arts and Crafts: You know you are looking at an Arts and Crafts style of chandelier if the glass shades are dangling downwards from the wheel rather than sitting like cups on the rim of the wheel. This is characterized by balanced mobiles that consist of two to four to six lampshades on a rustic looking metal frame that hangs from the ceiling.

Mission Style: If the chandelier has black iron limbs or wheels then it is probably mission style. Mission style chandeliers usually also have square shades made of streaked white or pearly opaque glass. This type of chandelier usually casts a dimmer light then most.

Wagon Wheel: This eclectic chandelier was a common sight in the suburbs in the seventies and basically consisted of a wooden wheel that was topped with miniature lamps shades. It casts a nice, yellowish dim light for a dining room.

Atomic Age: Also known as a fifties revival style, these are the chandeliers that look like metal starbursts from which shoot multicolored Christmas bulbs. This unique style never seems that dated as it looks both modern and antique at the same time and the light that it can cast is often pretty because of the different colored bulbs. It does however cast a dimmer light than most.

Art Deco Chandeliers – These are getting rarer and rarer and cast beautiful soft lights the colored round pendant drops and flower shaped fluted shades that are characteristic of the style. The glass on an art deco chandelier is often green or pink and it can also be frosted or streaked with color.

There are hundreds of more styles of chandelier lamp lighting, especially if you want to get into discussing crystal pendant chandeliers but the above represents the most common and affordable styles that you can find online or in stores.

Lauren Tyler writes exclusively for LampLightWorld

Cleaning Your Chandelier - Safety Tips

Chandeliers are essential accent pieces in dining and living rooms of homes. Chandeliers bring life to holidays and special occasions, and nothing beats an elegantly set table with crystal, china, silverware and linen like having an equally sparkling and gleaming chandelier.

However, despite its allure and stature, many chandeliers suffer from neglect and improper cleaning. Since these pieces are sensitively intricate, people would resist cleaning them until it's absolutely, positively necessary to do so.

If a chandelier is dirty and filled with dust, grime and cobwebs, it is time to clean it before that special occasion arrives and when should you be in a hurry, you could cause some of the crystals to drop, or probably damage the fixture itself.

Be sure to your chandeliers in advance before any major event, so it will be ready when the special occasion comes.

Ways to clean chandeliers
 

There are a lot of ways on effectively cleaning chandeliers, however there are two standard methods used when it comes to cleaning a chandelier. The methods pertain to the way you clean the fixture and the 2 choices are either to wet clean or dry clean them. Should one have an ornate and opulently designed chandelier or one that is placed too high too clean, you may probably have to wet clean the fixture.

If you have a particularly fine crystal chandelier, you must first contact the lighting center of your choice, or where you purchased the fixture, and inquire about the proper way to clean it. It is also advisable to ask for advice from a lighting professional or an electrician. However, it is also recommend that one uses a spray cleaner or try individual hand cleaning. If one has any concerns at all, hand, or dry cleaning could be the best choice.

Safety tips for cleaning chandeliers
 

Before proceeding with cleaning your chandelier, take note of the following safety precautions:

- Turn off the electricity first at the circuit breaker box, to prevent electrocution.
 

- Plug another light at another outlet, on another breaker switch, to lighten the area and guide you when cleaning the chandelier.

- Move anything breakable away from the cleaning area.
 

- Use a tall ladder so that you won't have problems reaching inner areas of the chandeliers.

- Put a mat or a large of plastic on the floor to serve as a catch basin for any drips, and also place a soft blanket or cloth on the floor to catch any crystals, should one fall

For the proper and thorough cleaning of chandeliers, it would be best to follow these important procedures:

- Take out all bulbs and put them aside.
 

- Lay a large towel above the bottom of a sink or dishpan. Fill this halfway with medium hot water. Add soap, detergent and swish up to create suds.

- Fill up a large container or pan with clean hot water for rinsing and pad this up with a towel to keep fine, crystals or glass from breaking.

- Take the crystal drops and saucers off of the chandelier and wash a one at the time. Wipe the frame of the chandelier with a cloth filled with suds.

- Continue washing, and re-changing parts of the chandelier until the whole fixture is clean. Afterwards, wipe them dry and put them back into their sockets.

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What Makes A Chandelier Expensive?

Chandeliers are one of the best ornate fixtures that people can invest their money in, especially in making their homes, or offices, more aesthetically pleasing and extravagant.

Chandeliers have a natural ability of adding a feeling of elegance and warmth to any room that it is placed in, and it also serves as an essential ingredient in creating a particular ambiance in its environment while acting as a functional interior lighting in any home. Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy these aesthetically pleasing lighting fixtures as most of these furnishings are not that cheap, in fact, they are quite expensive depending on the type and kind of chandelier that you may be purchasing.

Chandeliers can come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and designs, which can be made of a number of different materials in its construction. All of these factors can determine the cost of any chandelier, which is why some chandeliers are considered to be more expensive than others. It is important to keep in mind that chandeliers are often related to the lavish and the extravagant, which is probably why most households that do have chandeliers in a part or some parts of their home are those that can afford it. Although there are cheap chandeliers as well, you still do not normally see chandeliers in poor households, or those which are not that well off financially.

Construction materials

One of the things that factors in a chandelier’s expensive cost is primarily the materials that is used in creating it. There are certain chandeliers that use crystals, such as the Swarovski crystals, as part of its materials. These crystals are used in making the chandelier appear more elegant and extravagant by adding it in the design of the entire chandelier. Crystals aren’t exactly cheap stuff, and considering that chandeliers use not just one, but a myriad of different types of crystals in constructing just one chandelier should give you an idea of just how expensive these lighting fixtures really are. Also, the materials used for the frame of the chandelier as well are taken into consideration, which is why two similar-looking chandeliers can vary in prices depending on the materials used in constructing them.

Size

The size of the chandelier also plays a factor in its price, which is actually directly proportional to the amount of materials used in its construction, making larger chandeliers more expensive than smaller ones. However, those larger chandeliers that are made of cheap construction materials will not cost more than a smaller one that is made up of the finest construction materials around.

Design or pattern

The design or pattern on the chandelier itself can also be a factor in increasing the value of the chandelier, especially if the design pattern is very intricate and very elaborate. There are some chandeliers that do not have that much design but are more expensive than those that do, which could mean that certain factors may weigh more in the other chandelier as compared to the cheaper one, making the prior more expensive than the other.

No single factor dictates the price of a chandelier, which is why all of these different factors help influence the cost of chandeliers, but naturally, chandeliers are not cheap to begin with, so do not expect to be able to buy a brand new chandelier for a very cheap price, especially if all of the following factors are present.

Vanessa A. Doctor

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How to Clean a Crystal Chandelier

Crystal chandeliers will need cleaning from time to time to keep their sparkle. Dust can make them look dull and drab. If cared for properly, a crystal chandelier can be the main topic of conversation for years.

Most people clean their chandeliers every few months but, if the chandelier is dusted regularly, in reality they won’t need full cleaning for up to nine months. Frequency of cleaning will depend on the chandeliers location, shape and type of crystals.

There are a few methods you can use to clean your chandelier. Most people prefer to dust the chandelier whilst it is hanging but others like to admire the crystal as they are cleaning it. Before cleaning the crystals remove any excess dust so that your cloth, glove or whatever method you use doesn’t become too dirty too soon.

Traditional methods of cleaning the chandelier are to take each crystal and wipe it with a damp chamois. This can be done whilst the chandelier is still hanging or the chandelier can be taken down and cleaned. If taking the chandelier fully apart, we would recommend that you make a diagram or label the pieces, so you know where they come from when you reassemble your chandelier.

Lukewarm water with a small amount of washing up liquid and a small amount of white vinegar will remove grime and add shine. Dry the crystal straight away after cleaning with this solution to prevent smearing.

Specialised crystal cleaner or glass cleaner can also be used to clean your chandelier. If using sprays, always make sure that the power to the light is switched off and that no one can turn it on whilst you are working. Be careful when spraying and avoid wires and other electrical components. Allow the crystals to drip-dry but take into consideration that the cupped pieces may need blotting dry and the larger prisms may need to be dried by using a soft cloth.

The best method of cleaning a chandelier is to use a pair of dry cotton gloves, usually white so you can see the amount of dirt coming off. One glove is used for drying the crystals and the other is damp misted with crystal or glass cleaner. Caress the crystals with the damp gloved hand then place it in your dry gloved hand immediately to dry it and make it sparkle.

When cleaning your chandelier, don’t be tempted to take short cuts by rotating the chandelier. By rotating the chandelier you will, in time, loosen its support which could cause it to fall. The electrical wiring could also be damaged leaving you at risk of fire or an electric shock.

Don’t forget to wipe the light bulbs once they are cool, but not with anything wet; this may cause them to shatter. By cleaning the bulbs it will brighten the whole chandelier.

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Tracey Aldous is a trainee accountant who enjoys freelance writing for several websites in her spare time

  

Crystal Chandeliers - How to Make Them Really Sparkle

A crystal chandelier can add a touch of elegance to any room, whether you place it in your foyer, over your dining table, in your bedroom, or even in your bathroom! Of course, to be sure that your chandelier retains this elegance, it is going to need to be kept clean. The difference between a gleaming crystal and a dusty crystal on a chandelier can great.

So, how do you go about cleaning a crystal chandelier? Here are some helpful tips:

For a quick clean, or if you are unable to take your chandelier down from the ceiling, start out by putting newspaper or towels or a drop cloth beneath it (there is not reason to dirty the rest of your home just because you are cleaning one part of it!) You can then reach up with a long-handled feather duster and clean off as much as possible. Then go ahead and take a glass cleaner and spray your chandelier. In fact, feel free to drench your crystal chandelier with your glass cleaner. Then, simply let the everything drip off. Voila! Your crystal chandelier is sparkling and shiny again, with very little work.

Of course, while this is an excellent and easy way to clean your crystal chandelier, you may sometimes prefer a deeper cleaning (at least once a year). Unfortunately, a deep cleaner does require some disassembly and a little bit of scrubbing. Here is how to go about it.

 

1. Turn off the power.
 2. Gently and steadily remove your lamp from the fixtures.  If you are at all worried about this step, be sure to have some extra help.  Chandeliers can be very heavy, depending on their size.  If you prefer to leave your chandelier attached, that is perfectly fine -- just step up and remove the crystals as you need to clean them.
 3. Take out all of the bulbs.
 4. Protect your chandelier crystals by laying down a folded towel across the bottom of the sink, wash pan, or whichever basin you decide to use.  
 5. Fill up the basin with hot (but bearable) water and add soap or detergent of your choice.  
 6. Remove the crystals a few at a time and wash them in your soapy water, and then rinse them with hot water (you may even wish to have a hot water rinsing pan with a little ammonia in it).  
 7. Wipe them dry, and then immediately place them back onto your chandelier.
 8. Do not take off all of the crystals at once!  You may have trouble remembering their proper places on the chandelier.  Just choose a place to start, and work methodically around that point.  
 9. Wipe off the arms of your chandelier with a non-sudsy cloth.
 10. Wipe down the bulbs and then put them back into their sockets.

 

The difference between your pre-washed chandelier and your post-wash chandelier may surprise you. Sometimes it is hard to tell how dirty something is until you see it sparkling clean again.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on lighting and home decor, please visit Crystal Chandeliers.

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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.

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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.

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