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Changing the length of your candle covers 0

Lately, we have had numerous questions about how to change the length of your candle covers (sleeves), so I thought I would address this here on our blog. 

If you have candelabra sockets on your chandelier or sconce, you have probably had to change the covers/sleeves at some point due to discoloration or disintegration.  Ideally, you can measure those covers and replace them with something the same size.  See ours for standard and custom sizes. The cover is designed to cover only what is there... it does not dictate the length.

What happens if you want to make the appearance of your candle longer or shorter?  You must first examine your sockets.  To do so, remove the bulb (not while it is hot) and the cover to see what is underneath.  Keep in mind, this is an electrical connection.  The safest way to proceed it to make sure the power to the fixture is turned off at the breaker. 

Hopefully, your socket is an adjustable one.  By loosening the correct screws, the socket will slide up and down (like a slide trombone).  It is important that you loosen the correct screw - NOT the one holding the wires. 

If the socket has room to move down, then shortening it is pretty easy. 

Lengthening it is more of an undertaking and we recommend an electrician.  In order for an adjustable socket to rise, you must have enough wire through the arm to make the extra distance.  If you do not, the arm will have to have a new, longer wire run from the socket to the main wire of the chandelier.  Do NOT piece together wire. And, do NOT force the length of the wire.

In short, usually if you want a taller socket/cover, you will have to rewire the arms of your chandeliers.  Our website includes kits for this, and we always recommend an electrician.  

We'd love to hear your stories of how you have changed the look of your chandelier.  Leave us a comment below.  

How wide can your chandelier be in proportion to your table? 0

I've had a few discussions about this exact topic lately.  Can your chandelier be wider than your table?  How much less wide than the table should the chandelier be?

If you want an extremely over-sized chandelier, wider than or as wide as your table, you have to hang it higher than normal range.  The chandelier, or at the very least, the bulk of the chandelier, must be above the heads of anyone standing at your table.  I know we don't normally think of folks standing at the table; we envision them sitting, but you do have to consider where the chandelier is if you are standing at the edge of the table, and you do not want a light fixture right in the face, or forehead, of your guests.  I am a fan of over-sized chandeliers in the right space, but just be wary of how low it is. 

To help you visualize... the closer the chandelier's diameter is to the width of your table, the higher the chandelier needs to hang.

We pay more attention to the room measurements to get the correct sizing for your chandelier, and only consider sizing for the table if the table is unusually sized for the room.  There are a few guidelines out there... some say leave 6" from the edge of the widest part of the table.  Others say to use a chandelier that is anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 the diameter of your table - which is a big range.  Again, unless you have a very large dining room, if you purchase a chandelier that is appropriately sized for the room dimensions and ceiling heights that you have, then your chandelier will most likely be sized appropriately for the table you have.

Here are some additional links to help you choose the best chandelier size for your room.

A chandelier over a drop-leaf table.

Guidelines for how high to hang a chandelier over a table.

How wide of a chandelier to choose.

We are happy to answer specific questions about this topic.  Feel free to send us your dimensions, and we will give you our recommendations.

Larger Tiered Chandeliers 0

We call them Tier Models; some call them waterfall chandeliers.  They are constructed of graduated diameters of banding that hold smaller, slim shapes of crystal prisms.  Any of them can have sweeps of crystals from the largest band to the top of the chandelier.  

Making for a beautiful transitional style chandelier, these can be thought of as a modern Empire style chandelier, or a little Regency and a little Contemporary.

We make a few different styles, and each style can be made in varying sizes or your choice of metal finish.

All of these Tier Models can be customized.. different sizes and different trimmings.

We've been called upon to make larger versions as well. The two below are 24'' wide and 60" long. 

How would it look in your foyer?

How to Measure and Match a Crystal Piece for Replacement on Your Chandelier 0

 Are you trying to measure or match your crystal pieces for replacement on your light fixture?  We can help!  

Measurement:

Ideally you want to get that measurement correct the first time as most folks, including us, charge restocking fees on returns of parts or they don't accept returns at all.  

Replacement crystals frequently are sold with an attached octagon or button and a hook.  Keep in mind that this top piece is not included in most measurements.  In other words, a 2.5" almond is just that... 2.5" of almond shaped crystal with the added bonus of a top piece.  

Example of 2.5" almond.

Below is a 2" measured.

We try to include the overall length (in this case 3.5"), but this height includes the pinning which can make the overall height vary a bit. 

When trying to match crystals, it is more important to compare the height than the width.  An off width will blend with different crystals better in most cases. 

Details:

It can be quite difficult to verify that top "button" and the pinning on the piece you are wanting to purchase is the same as the piece that you need to match.  If you are examining our parts, feel free to send specific questions.  In most cases, we are happy to change the pinning or top piece for a small fee.  

Quality:

Quality is very difficult to determine by photo.  Generally, if you tell us the chandelier is pre-1980's, we can assume that the crystal are Italian quality, Czech quality, or Swarovski Strass.  What does this mean?

Older Strass is unmistakable.  It is thick, heavy and blindingly refractive.  Newer Strass is a lighter due to the lack of lead oxide, but it is still gorgeous. (It is also thinner and etched with a trademark.) 

"Italian Quality" usually means leaded crystal without great clarity.  It is heavy, but whitish looking.  Frequently the edges are duller and more molded looking as opposed to cut.

Czech Quality means the good, old stuff!  It is a heavy, clear crystal, but not brilliantly sparkly like Strass.  Sadly, this is being replaced by a newer, lighter crystal.  Good for the environment (no lead) but sad for us traditionalists.  Czech quality has edges that look more polished instead of molded.

Hope this is helpful.    

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.  

Back in full swing! 0

After a few weeks of reduced hours due to our Covid response, we are now back to our original hours of Monday through Friday, 9-5 and Saturday 10-2.  Our showroom in large enough that we are certain everyone can maintain more than an appropriate distance from each other.  

We are continuing to deliver on time and have had no delays in fulfillment!  Just let us know how we can help you with your home projects.  

We hope everyone is staying healthy and in good spirits! 

-Nancy