Light Conversation — Room Photos

To Shade or Not to Shade 0

Should you put clip-on shades on your chandelier or sconce?

There are many things to consider when deciding whether to add fabric shades to your fixtures.  I am addressing crystal fixtures specifically, but many of the same ideas can be applied to other types of lighting.

One of the greatest things about adding shades to crystal chandeliers is that it softens the light.  And, if the shades have white linings, the bulbs will reflect off that fabric and back into all the crystals.  It really is quite stunning.

You can see in the photos above how the chandelier itself is lit by the way the shades push the light from the bulbs down onto the chandelier arms and prisms.  

A few things to be aware of when purchasing:

1. Make sure that you are using a low wattage bulb - if using incandescent, between 15w and 40w, depending upon how big the shades are.  If the bulbs become too hot, they will discolor the shades, or even worse, they will cause a fire. Most LED bulbs don't get hot enough to be of concern.

2. Clip on shades will fit either a candelabra bulb or a regular A15 or A19 (household type).  Double check that you are purchasing the right type of shade. 

3. Look at the interior color of the shade.  We really like white interior for maximum brightness.

4. Most lighting fixtures will look best with a shade that has a bottom diameter of 4" to 6", depending upon how large the fixture is.  Most of what we sell in the showroom is 4" to 5" bottom diameter.

5. If purchasing shades for sconces, ensure that the bottom of the shade isn't too wide.  Measure the distance from the wall to the center of the socket.  Half the diameter of your shade should be smaller than the distance from the wall to the center of the socket.

If you think that the light from wall sconces is a bit excessive, shades, either traditional or contemporary styles, are a beautiful way to soften that light.  

From a decorating point of view, shades can be a way to change design perspectives of a fixture.  An elegant drum shade can make a traditional chandelier seem more modern, or a bell shade can make a straight line chandelier seem more classic.  In many cases, a shade can make a fancy chandelier just a bit less so.

Whether for practical reasons or aesthetic reasons, clip on shades can change the look of your lighting fixture.  

Golden Oldies 0

When I clean out a drawer around here, I find the best things!  I love these old photos from what must be the late Fifties. These lovelies were in some of our early catalogs showing the larger crystal chandeliers. 

I'm not sure of the house and exactly who every one is... though the handsome man in the tuxedo is Durward King.  

 Although I don't recognize all of the people, I do recognize some of the furniture as pieces that found their way to our showroom over the years.  Those pieces were meant to last generations - just like our chandeliers.

Reflections... 0

I think it is true that we humans connect over “things”.  As much as we don’t want to admit that inanimate commercial goods are important to us, they are essential to so many of our memories.

Over the years we have heard beautiful reminisces and reflections of crystal chandeliers past, and I have seen how they play a large part in our connections to each other.

Once upon a time, a young man in his early 20’s, fresh out of college, placed a chandelier on lay-away.  His grandmother had passed away a few years before, and he always associated a chandelier with memories of her.  He asked for us to make one similar to hers – which we lovingly did.  I think he is the youngest customer we have had and I'll never forget his enthusiasm.

Recently I reunited with a college room-mate who was very dear to me. Her sweet mother had recently passed away, and my friend had the chandelier from her childhood home which she was hoping to have restored and prepared for storage.  It is a gorgeous chandelier – well-made and impeccably maintained. We reconnected over the chandelier – me remembering her mother’s beautiful home while she told me about their last time spent under the chandelier at a family gathering.   My friend has her own chandelier (inspired by her mother’s love of her own), but this chandelier will be packed for her own daughter’s use when the time comes.

So many of our customers are 2^nd and even 3^rd generation of King’s Chandelier owners.  We take great pride in this and love knowing that family traditions include us and that family photos may include just a bit of our creations.  Precious memories of fun times and holiday gatherings will be lit by our light.

From Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day is the time to make those lasting memories.  And, if you happened to make those under a King’s Chandelier, we’d love you to tag your photos or even send them to us (crystal@chandelier.com) so we may share in those experiences. 

Much love to everyone and we wish you a joyous holiday season!

--Nancy

Using Crystal Sconces in Your Bathroom 0

Have you wanted to put a pair (or two) of gorgeous crystal sconces in your bathroom? A local customer did.  She had been pondering the idea for a while, and finally thought, why not?!

In this bath, there were 2 separate vanities and each one has a set of 2-arm sconces, our Sconce 2, on either side of the mirror.

She is very happy with the result, and we think it is beautiful.  

Check Out More Pics! 0

If you are looking for more photos of our chandeliers and sconces, we have a few places for you to look.  

You can scroll through our page of photos that have been sent to us by our wonderful customers.  Also, make sure to look through our blog posts. 

Every now and again we run across photos of rooms that include our chandeliers - photos that are more professional in nature.  When we catch sight of them, we pin them to one of our Pinterest boards which you can see here. 

And, if you are a Houzz lover, make sure to look at our idea board, Our Customers' Beautiful Rooms.  

We love receiving those photos, so if you have one of our chandeliers or are purchasing one in the future, please send us a photo showing the chandelier in your room!  

Another Gorgeous Home 0

Flipping through an issue of a favorite, Old House Interiors, Early Homes, we saw this:

Photos by Bridley + Graves.  Article by Patricia Poore

That is one of our lovely creations - custom designed with the customer.  

Read the article here.  Or, check out The Old House website for fabulous photos and product information. It is a must for anyone interested in old homes. www.oldhouseonline.com.