How to keep your chandelier from falling out of the ceiling! 3

Can you imagine coming home to this? Or waking up to the sound of this happening? If not horrifying, then it is downright disconcerting. It doesn't happen often, and with the following information, it should never happen to you.

What are some of the best practices for keeping your chandelier safely in the ceiling?

1. Always ensure that your mounting location can support the weight of your chandelier.  Is your electrical box properly mounted and secure within your ceiling?

2. The cross bar, pipe, and screw collar of your mounting hardware should be a tight fit, with a locknut fitted against both the cross bar and the screw collar. 

3. The above mentioned cross bar should be securely mounted within your electrical box with the long screws that were included with the box.  

Those 3 steps are what holds your chandelier in the ceiling, so always make sure that they are performed carefully, correctly, and securely. 

4. Never (ever) spin a chandelier on its chain. Actually, don't even turn it. This sounds logical, but believe it or not, it is the number one reason for fallen chandelier. A chandelier revolving on a chain is very mesmerizing - until it unscrews from the ceiling and falls onto your table.  The locknuts are designed to help prevent this from occurring, but they need a little help from you. Best practice - you move around the chandelier doing what needs to be done instead of moving it to you. 

5. Make sure that the top loop on the chandelier itself is secure and tight.  This loop that attaches to the chain is the one thing that is holding your fixture.

6.  Finally, make sure that you are using the proper chain weight.  Heavy, solid chain that is split on the side (never on the bottom) is the best choice. 

Each time you have your chandelier cleaned, the screw loop connection and the top loop on the chandelier should be checked.  Are they tight against the locknuts? 

By following the above practices, you and your chandelier should have a long, healthy life together!

Reply to comment on 5/31/2018:  I'm so sorry that happened to you!  If the pipe came down with the screw loop, the pipe will need to be screwed back into the cross bar and make sure to use nuts to lock it in place.  If the pipe didn't come down, then the screw loop must be screwed into the pipe.  Again, make sure to use nuts.  The proper way to accomplish all of this is to disconnect the wires and start the installation from scratch.  Good luck!  -Nancy

Reply to comment on 7/28/2018 - I sent you a private message.  Let me know if you need further information. - Nancy

Chandelier Wider than Your Table? 0

Trying to decide what size chandelier to purchase? Look at this lovely room and read the store behind it.

This customer debated about which size Durham to use in her dining room.  The Small Durham, at 22" wide, was the best choice for the drop leaf table which she kept dropped the majority of the time.  The room, however, measured right at the size for a 26" wide chandelier, or the Medium Durham.

She (and admittedly, we) had a hard time deciding whether to choose the 22" or 26" wide chandelier.  The customer uncertainly decided on the 22" wide, but once she was home and revisited the room, she thought better.  She called us with the decision to change her order to the 26" Medium Durham, which you see above - without the crystal candle cups.  

In the end, it was the perfect decision. 

Using Crystal Chandeliers to Make Your Kitchen Glorious! 0

Who says crystal chandeliers are too formal for a kitchen?  Not us!  Nor our customers.

Above is a slightly customized Mabel in a very sophisticated, yet small, kitchen.  It looks perfect with the open shelves and Carrara marble.  

With modern exhaust fans and cooking methods, you don't have to worry so much about the amount of grime that will accumulate on a chandelier.  (Though, we say never worry about it at all!  A dirty chandelier is better than no chandelier.) 

Choosing a chandelier like the Mabel, above, makes cleaning an easier task. With a lack of crystal strands/festoons and bobeches that lift straight off the candle, this chandelier can be cleaned in an hour.

Above are our 3-R-6 chandeliers offering plenty of light for this island work space.  A little bit more off a chandelier to clean, but totally worth it! 

Check out our Houzz idea board or our Pinterest board for more crystal chandeliers looking beautiful in your kitchens.

How to Choose the Right Medallion 0

We hear frequent questions regarding ceiling medallions.  What size? What style? Should I paint? What about the center hole?  Let's see if we can help!

What size ceiling medallion should you choose?

There are many different opinions and a formula or two to help you pick the right size medallion.  Here is what we have to say about the subject:  A ceiling medallion is an architectural element - just like your crown molding (moulding) or your chair rails. Choose a medallion that suits the style of your room.  

If the ceilings are tall and the molding ornate, then choose something that fits into the decor - an ornate, big medallion larger than your chandelier.  If the room is simple and has 8' ceilings, then choose a plainer medallion that is smaller than your chandelier. Don't worry about the exact size of the medallion.

What style of medallion is right for your chandelier?

Any style is right - again, choose something that suits your room and your home. You can consider matching motifs (Egg and Dart, Greek Key) to your molding. 

Should you paint your medallion?

Yes!  But, how is up to you.  You can match your trim using a nice glossy paint. Or, you can paint it an accent color.  Most medallions are purchased primed and ready for paint.  Victorians would paint the various elements of a medallion in color schemes.  Beautiful if it fits your room. 

Why are the center holes in medallions different?

You will see medallions with center holes that are of varying sizes.  When choosing, keep in mind how your chandelier mounts.

Some medallions have center holes that are smaller than the ceiling box (frequently under 2"). In this case, an electrician will need to install the mounting hardware before the medallion is installed. You can then choose whether to use a canopy or simply use the screw loop without the canopy.  Other medallions have holes that are larger than the canopy you intend to use.  This is okay, as long as your canopy covers the hole in the ceiling.  The bit of the ceiling that peaks through between your canopy and the medallion can be painted the same color as the medallion and will blend in.   

A fancy medallion may protrude some at the very center. For extreme extension, you may need what is called a bee-hive canopy or another type of deep canopy.  

Whatever you do, it will be beautiful! And, if you don't want a medallion, that is perfectly fine. Without a medallion, you may see the gorgeous play of light on your ceiling.  

Pipe-Mounting a Chandelier 0

Not the most exciting subject? Well, for some it is very exciting - most particularly those that hate the look of a chandelier hanging on chain (more about that later in the week). 

Pipe mounting looks like this:

And, is most frequently used in Victorian Lighting - the pipe would have carried the gas to the fixture.  Gas fixtures did not hang from chain.

For most circumstances, a chandelier hanging on chain is the best mounting.  It is easier for the electrician (or you) to install. A chain also provides a bit of give if you bump into it, or throw something at it, or have an earthquake, or just want to turn it a tiny, tiny bit to change the light bulb. A pipe mount does not allow for any of this. 

Pipe mounts are fixed - the pipe to the ceiling is part of the chandelier.  A slip collar allows the ceiling canopy to slide up and down the pipe for installation and wiring. Pipe mounts allow for no movement whatsoever. 

If you want your Victorian chandelier to be extremely authentic, then you may want to choose to have us make yours with a pipe mount to the ceiling.  Consider the drawbacks that I listed above first, but if you want it fixed, then measure exactly how far you want the entire fixture to hang from the ceiling and we will make it so.  Keep in mind that this length cannot be adjusted once it leaves us, so be sure of your measurements.  We will be happy to talk you through figuring that out.   

Although we have done it, we don't generally recommend using a pipe mount on your all-crystal chandeliers.  

As always, if you have any questions, give us a call or email us! 

New Customer Room Photos 0

We've added new photos to our Customers' Photos page - like this Alexandria lighting a home in Pennsylvania.  Thanks to all for sending in their photos!  Keep them coming...