Light Conversation — Choosing a Chandelier

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! 

How much chain should show? 1

We hear quite a bit of debate about chain around here.  How much chain is too much chain for my chandelier?  Isn't one link of chain too little chain?  General consensus says that there is a happy medium at around 6" of chain.

However, you have to have the amount of chain that you have to have.  There isn't much you can do - it is easier to adjust the chain than the ceiling height.  And, it is better to pick the chandelier that you like instead of adjusting your tastes to accommodate the exact length of chandelier that you feel you need. 

So, if you have to have 6' of chain - so be it.  There is the option to cover it with a fabric sleeve (make sure to get one that has Velcro the entire length). But, at the end of the day, people don't notice the chain. The only have eyes for your gorgeous chandelier.

Conversely, if you have only 1 link of chain - it doesn't look as short as you think it will.  

This photo is from our showroom (the 8+4 Medium) showing 1 link of chain. Because there is always a loop coming from the chandelier and always a loop coming from the canopy, the one link doesn't look so short.  

As always, call us or email us with specific questions that you may have! We are always happy to help.

This photo shows the 8+4 Medium in our showroom - the ceilings in here are 11', but we have this medallion dropped to represent an 8' ceiling. 

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. 

How to Measure a Chandelier – Easy Guidelines 0