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How to Measure Chandelier Arms 0

It is very distressing to find yourself in need of a chandelier arm.  Because they are all hand-blown, matches are difficult. A variation of less than half an inch is size can throw off the height enough to be extremely noticeable.  So, size matching is more important than anything.

So, how do you communicate the details of a chandelier arm?  Start with the measurement.  

An "s" arm, also called a lower arm, is measured straight across.  Most arms will come near to a whole-inch increment, and it will be referred to as such.  For example, the below "s" arm is a 16" arm.  

Although this would officially be called a 16" arm, it may not be exactly 16" across.  So, for matching purposes, one would need to know the exact width.

The height of an "s" arm is from the lowest part of the bend to the highest part of the bend as shown above.  Truly, in order to match a chandelier arm, it is best to compare, side by side, the old and the new.  A side by side comparison allows us to observe the difference in bends, patterns and thickness.

When measuring an upper arm, measure straight out. When referencing the height, mention whether the measurement includes the ferule (metal cap).

Again, the bends on these vary quite a bit (along with the pattern) so it is always best to make an actual comparison.

If you are looking to match an arm, click here.

Other factors that should be considered when looking for a chandelier match: thickness (diameter - usually measured in millimeters), pattern, finish color.

Let us know if we can help!  crystal@chandelier.com

Victorian Decor 0

If you are a follower of ours, you know how much we love Victorian homes and decor.  Flowers, animal print, real brass, crystal, velvet - all gorgeous elements of the Victorian room - are perhaps a bit out of trend in this time of grey tones and farmhouses. But, Victoriana is timeless.

I am still cleaning out drawers and organizing old press.  Below are a couple of camera shots of pages from Victorian Homes which, sadly, recently ceased publication.

Our Charleston 6 chandelier and Charleston Sconce in the Heritage Hills neighborhood of Johnson County, Kansas. 

Article by Gloria Gale, Photography by Bill Mathews, Victorian Homes Magazine August 1999

Our Richmond 6 in Claybaugh House built 1892.  Anaheim California. 

Article by Rebecca Ittner, Photography by James Itagaki, Styled by Merrie Destefano.  Victorian Homes June 2010

Lighting Ideas for Your Dining Room 0

There are many ways to add ambiance to a dining room, but our favorite way is with lighting.  

Lighting can set your best mood, highlight artwork, and show off your gorgeous table setting.  

Start with the right chandelier, of course.  Something that fits both your room and your decor.  Check here for how to choose the best size, but it is about more than getting the right size.  You have to love your chandelier.  That is absolute! If you love a chandelier that has too few lights, add lamps.  If you love a chandelier that has too many, turn your dimmer down.  We've written a few blog posts about choosing the right chandelier, and we hope you find those helpful. Imagine that gorgeous chandelier shining down on your set table with your family all around.  Beautiful!

Adding wall sconces will help brighten a room and fill wall space.  Like most lighting, it is both a decor choice and a practical choice.  I think there is nothing classier looking than sconces above a sideboard or buffet placed on either side of a mirror or art. A pretty sconce is like its own work of art.

Buffet lamps!  Who doesn't love buffet lamps?  They aren't just for buffets, but for any side table in your dining room.  What distinguishes a buffet lamp from other table lamps is the size... a buffet lamp is usually slender and tall - perfect to fit elegantly on dining room furniture.  The height helps bring light up to the center of the room.  Of course any type lamp can work, either in pairs or on their own.  I've seen large based lamps fit spectacularly on a sideboard.  

And, whether you have dining room furniture beyond your table or not, you can put a floor lamp just about anywhere!  Floor lamps are ingenious that way.  My favorite floor lamps are shaded, but many folks like a torchiere which directs your light up.  I like the the traditional shaded floor lamp because it offers less competition to your chandelier's reflections on the ceiling.

The bottom line is that most folks just don't have enough light in their rooms.  And, even dining rooms need more than one source of light.  I like at least 3 sources of light, or layers of light, in a room. 

Happy Lighting!

What Size Chandelier is Best for a Bedroom 0

What Size Chandelier is Best for a Bedroom?

My best answer to the question above is any size.  Seriously.  I think you can use any size you want.

Proper sizing:  Room width + room length = chandelier width in inches... 10'x12' room takes a 22" wide chandelier. HOWEVER, in a bedroom, a chandelier is really an accent piece, so it is more about the decor.  And, the ceiling height.

Ceiling height is the first consideration in a bedroom.  You have to walk under the light, so standard height off the floor is 6 1/2 feet off the floor.  Most people aren't taller than that (and if they are, they are used to ducking).  If everyone in your house is short, good!  That leaves more room for a chandelier.  (Remember to account for ceiling hardware which can take up to 4" additional beyond the chandelier height.)

If you only have 8', you will do best to use a small chandelier, regardless of how large the room is. An 18" tall chandelier (maximum height for 8' ceiling) starts to look odd when it gets wider than 26".

If you are lucky, you will have tall ceilings and can use anything you want.  But, unless you live in a palace, you don't want a huge chandelier in your bedroom.  This is one room where less is more.

How to Add Crystal Accents to Your Chandelier 0

How to Add Crystal Accents to Your Chandelier

If you just want to dress your chandelier up a bit, there are many ways to do it.  Here's a few ideas:

1. Add crystal rings, with a prisms or pendalogue hanging from it, to the arms.  For this to be simple, ideally the ring needs to fit over the candle and slide down into the bend of the arm.  If it won't fit over the candle, then you will need to add it from the back side of the arm.  You can learn how to take the bottom of your chandelier in order to reach the arms here. 

You can then drape crystal strands from pendant to pendant if you like. Shown here is our Winter Elegance.

Purchase rings here.

2.  Use thin wire that can be purchased in the jewelry making section of Wal-Mart or Michael's. Wrap this wire around the chandelier arm or other piece. Cut a short piece of wire, then twist the ends into a spiral.  Clip off the excess wire. Hook a prism or pendalogue into the wire.  This is the simplest, least expensive way to add a bit of fun to your chandelier.

3. Using the cute little hand-held, hole punch below, you can punch small holes in stampings and other thin metals.  Then, slip your pin through the hole.

4.  Magnets are amazing!  And we have some on clearance...  Grab a magnet from your fridge and test you chandelier to make sure it will stick. These magnets are strong enough to hold just about any prism.  

Have fun adding to your chandelier or sconce.  

More Great Chandelier-Cleaning Advice. 0

During the past few weeks I've been cleaning out file drawers... file drawers that are full of old (OLD) newspaper clippings and magazines that contain photos or interviews that represent our business.  I thought, for posterity's sake, I'd periodically post them over the next year.   

Here is an excerpt of a bit of chandelier cleaning advice from Tim, co-owner at King's Chandelier, quoted from an issue of Old House Interiors (article written by John Wallen):

Tim confirms the enemy of brilliance is plain old dirt.

"Especially when a chandelier hangs near a kitchen or over a dining room talbe, for instance, it accumulates a film of grease that attracts and holds dust.  Coal dust attaches itself, especially in the holes where the pins enter. But, even in rooms with modern heat, chandeliers get dirty.  One a month, you should go over it with a feather duster.  Then, once a year, give it a good cleaning."

Tim says, however, that this is something people can do themselves -- with a few exceptions.  "When candle wax has dripped onto the crystal, it is better to disassemble the pieces and send them to us for cleaning, since the drops may have to be heated to remove the wax.  Also, very old chandelier may have copper pins -- the metal pieces holding the drops --or brittle pins, which need to be replaced.  It is best to have such fixtures cleaned professionally."

If you chandelier is sound and free of wax, disassemble it and wash the pieces in a mild liquid detergent dissolved in very hot water.  Dry them with a lint free towel.  Go over the body of the chandelier -- first with a dry cloth, then a damp one.  "the other way around produces streaks," Tim warns.  Reassembling the chandelier is one part of this operation requiring some forethought.

"Many different components make up a crystal chandelier: festoons, accent pieces, hanging crystals.  Take those off with the chandelier in place, and lay the pieces out in order, " suggest Tim.  "or, if you have eight arms, take off seven and leave one on to use as a guide.  Or, draw a diagram."

 For more great info, go to OLD HOUSE ONLINE.