Light Conversation — Our Customers

A quick word about Swarovski 0

In 2020, Swarovski AG announced that they would no longer be manufacturing lighting components.  And, while we were extremely disappointed (and flummoxed) by this business decision, we have "moved on", as they say.

We have replaced Swarovski crystal with Asfour crystal which is just as beautiful and a bit heavier than the Swarovski Strass crystal that we used on our Signature line for decades. We are very pleased with the results.

As a matter of fact, a customer here in NC who has several of our Strass chandeliers just received a Raleigh chandelier trimmed in the new crystal. Upon installation, she sent me a text:  "the chandelier is just beautiful, it's perfect!!!"  This Raleigh is hanging within site of a Raleigh with Swarovski and she sees no difference.  

The biggest upside of this shift is that the prices on our Signature line are lower than they were when these fixtures were trimmed in Swarovski.  If you are a repeat customer, you will notice this and notice the lack of reference to Swarovski.  If you are a past customer and need some replacement pieces of Swarovski, please contact us.

- Nancy

Our Windsor in a Converted Church 0

I've always been intrigued by the idea of living in a converted church, and when I am in a new one, I imagine how I would make that church my home.  (I know, not what I'm supposed to be doing in church!)  I think I found the idea appealing when it was introduced to me as a teenager reading The Eiger Sanction. The book described the home, a former church, of the main character so well that I still remember it many (many) years later.

While working at home last week, I tuned into HGTV and the show "You Live in What" as background noise. "You Live in What" features a wide variety of buildings that have been transformed into homes, and in back to back episodes, I saw a bourbon distillery, a slaughterhouse, a grist mill, a synagogue, and a few churches. 

One church caught my eye.  I saw a flash of a dining room with a tin ceiling and purple walls, and thought, "I know that room!".  Many years ago, a thoughtful customer sent us a photo of his restoration/reformation in progress that showed that same tin ceiling.  At the time, he told me it was a church, but the details of the location have been lost over the years.  After some frantic pausing and rewiring on Thursday, I could confirm it was the same room, and I was able take a photo of the TV screen.  

The ceiling is just beautiful, though my photo does no justice to any elements in this room, including our Windsor chandelier.  

I love happening upon photos and videos of our chandeliers.  And, if anyone knows this home, I would enjoy hearing about more about it.  

How is everyone? 0

We hope everyone is staying healthy!  Here in Eden NC, we are all doing okay... working away to get you your beautiful lights or the parts you need.  We've added more of our antique parts to the site and are hoping to add more this weekend, so stay tuned!  

A past customer sent us a lovely photo this week of a chandelier that they received as a wedding gift in 1978.  It is one of my favorites - The Small Tryon.  

Mr. King created this chandelier in the 1940s and named it for the Tryon Palace in New Bern, North Carolina. (When the world returns to normal, fans of Diana Gabaldon should take their Outlander tour.)

Unfortunately, the beautiful German wood-polished almonds that characterized the Tryon of all sizes are no longer available so we have removed the Tryon from our line of chandeliers.  However, a variation of it is available in the Bedford:

We can duplicate the structure of the Tryon for anyone interested in a Georgian style chandelier.  We have many alternative crystals for trimming.

As always, feel free to contact us for any custom chandelier creations!

Custom Chandelier in Nashville 0

We love it when our customers are creative!  With some inspiration from our Ice Palace chandelier, this couple designed the perfect crystal chandelier for their lovely, Nashville home.  

We'd love to help you design that perfect light!  Call us at 336-623-6188 or email us at crystal@chandelier.com. 

The Stables at the Virginian at Westlake 0

One of my favorite projects of 2019 is completed!  A new barn venue was conceived and created in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia by Jackie Baker and Mike Boyd, and we had the pleasure of working with them as they selected the interior and exterior lighting.  

The Stables at the Virginian is a beautiful space... fun, classy, elegant and rustic all at the same time!  The design is upscale stable, and it manifests the warmth and hospitality that one would expect in the perfect venue space. I can't imagine any better setting for a wedding. 

Check out this article written by Karen Dillon for the Smith Mountain Laker.  Photography is by Heather Turner.  Heather's photos are worlds better than mine, but below are some pics from my phone.

The main space houses the Schonbrunn flanked by custom chandeliers - Baltimores that we made to be 32" wide instead of 30" wide. The radiant crystal looks magnificent against the gorgeous wood of the ceiling and banisters.

A variation of our Wentworth chandelier hangs in threes here in the Bride's Room.  They accompany 2 sconces.  Jackie custom designed these chandeliers in order to get just the right amount of sparkle. This ambiance will make all bride's feel beautiful!

We worked with Jackie on the rest of the interior lighting, as well as the exterior lighting and fans, to achieve that perfect balance of rustic and sophistication. 

Jackie and Mike know the importance of lighting - both practically and aesthetically.  Each fixture (over 75 of them) was carefully selected to blend the elegant and rustic aspects of the decor.

It is gorgeous, and we are so proud to be part of this project.  Congratulations to Jackie and Mike.

Just Gorgeous! 0

The Alexandria (one of my favorites) in the newly restored Mildred Grant House in Mason Texas.  Stay tuned for news about this historic home and inn, The Mildred Inn.