Light Conversation

There is more than one way to light art 0

Our dear friend and dynamic artist,  Meridith McNeal, just sent us these lovely images from her latest exhibition at Figureworks Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.

Our Princess chandelier in the foreground of this image and her lovely  Signora della Casa: Lace Dress on the wall behind.  Meridith frequently includes chandeliers and chandelier components in her art, and if you take a good look, you can see a chandelier in this work.

Meridith McNeal, Signora della Casa: Lace Dress, ink on paper, 74×55″

This is our Gem – assisting you in your feeling of being in this kitchen – gazing out the window.

Meridith McNeal, Sperlonga Windowphilia: Casa Celeste Kitchen, watercolor on paper, 53×37″

Meridith McNeal, Sperlonga Windowphilia: Casa Celeste Kitchen; Byron Kim, Sunday Paintings; and Maira Kalman, Angel

We encourage you to take a look at her webpage: Meridith McNeal or follow her on instragram: @meridithmcnealart.  Or, come by the showroom – we are the proud owner of some of her beautiful chandelier art!

FAQ - How high to hang a chandelier in a dining room. 0

This is by far the most common question that we get: How far from the table should my chandelier hang? You see various answers to this question.The best answer: anywhere from 30" to 40" off the table is "best" - it just depends upon your room and furniture as to exactly what the number should be. 

(The "number" is the bottom of the lowest point of the chandelier - most frequently the bottom of the crystal ball.)

Most commonly, people hang chandeliers 30" to 35" off the table top. The biggest reason to alter this is either a really tall ceiling or a longer chandelier. My grandmother had hers less than 28" off the table and she was perfectly happy with it, so there really is no "right" answer.  

Generally, the higher the ceiling and the larger the room, the further from the table the chandelier should be. This concept keeps a large room flowing - and helps contribute to a grander feel.  On the other hand, bringing the chandelier lower may help a larger dining room seem more intimate.

In a ceiling that is 8' tall, most people hover around 30 or 32" off the table. 

Keep in mind that this is your room, and you can hang your chandelier wherever you think it looks best!

When in doubt about exactly where you want yours to hang, consider installing the chandelier at the lowest point that you may want it to hang. Then, carefully (very, very carefully) raise it up, link by link, until you get it where you want it.  If you like, you can do this before adding all of the hanging crystal so that the chandelier won't be quite as heavy.  But, do hang the ball on the bottom so that you can see where the lowest point will be. It is easier to take away chain and wire than it is to add it. Once you cut the wire, the entire length needs to be replaced to make it longer.

One last note: Don't let your dislike of chain limit you in this decision.  Once your light is up, you won't notice chain as much as you think you will.  It is a perfectly normal part of the light. If you really don't like the look of the chain, there are many variations of chain covers, including here, that can be purchased.  Get one that you can remove and clean as necessary.  

If you have more specific questions or want to get our opinions on your room, you can email us at crystal@chandelier.com or leave a comment for us. 

Featuring: Our Belladonna Chandelier 0

Named such because we just love the name. Not for any nefarious reasons, of course! 

The main purpose of the structure of this beauty is too support the crystal bells - the stars of the show. There are no pendants on the top of this chandelier and nothing hanging on the bottom, other than the lovely crystal bell. The arms are the plainer, ribbed pattern which complements the bells. The prisms are slightly more narrow than a traditional u-drop and are generally referred to as a French u-drop - they are not too sparkly so as not to take away from the bells.

At 26" wide - the Belladonna is great for a medium sized room.

The 27" length is a bit too long to use in an 9' ceiling and still walk under it, but you could easily hang it in a living room or bedroom with a 10' ceiling. And, of course, it is perfect for a dining room with an 8' or 9' ceiling. 

The lovely Belladonna chandelier works perfectly with transitional decor - a little bit of classic crystal, traditional components, and a slightly fanciful demeanor.  Fun without being silly.  

Dressing Downton exhibit opens at Lightner Museum! 0

We were so excited to help prepare for this fun, informative, and beautiful exhibit.  Our good friends at Lightner Museum in St. Augustine have gone to great lengths to make "Dressing Downton" extraordinary.

Tim and crew cleaned the existing  chandeliers and added a new chandelier to the halls.  You can see them at work here.

If you are missing Downton Abbey, this is the next best thing!

Heat, lights, more heat! 0

How to Measure a Chandelier – Easy Guidelines 0