What Does Your Chandelier Say About You?

In these days of possibly the most fabulous interiors we’ve seen since Louis IV built Versaille, people are making striking design decisions in their lighting.  Much like matching an outfit to a much desired pair of shoes, working an interior around a light fixture is an unusual way to begin a design but it can certainly work in that order.  I have stumbled across some striking and gorgeous chandeliers that could be used in any room from dining to living to over a bath tub!  Can you decide on a favorite one?  What does that say about you and your design style?

This chandelier has the expected lines of a classic design but has an updated “cutout” feeling to it.  It is used with mini shades to give it some formality and we mimic its rococo lines in the mirror inlay and the chair backs.  It is mounted in a beautiful coffered ceiling to complete this traditional space.

Updated Formal…this is not your grandmother’s chandelier.  Designed by Candice Olson, the Aristocrat Chandelier marries traditional styling with fantastic finishes for a perfectly formal design.  I could see this in a room full of linen and silk or juxtaposed to a modern sleek design filled with leather and animal prints.  You can find it at http://www.aflighting.com/.

Coastal Casual Chic…perhaps one of the boldest statements I have seen in lighting in a while.  A magnificent piece of design that stands alone in a room as the eye catching conversation piece.  It cries out to be set in a neutral interior so it can be the life of the party and take the whole spotlight.  The Turquoise Empire Chandelier is designed by Marjorie Skouras Design.  Similar styles are available in a multitude of finishes but the turquoise is my personal favorite.  Find it at http://marjorieskourasdesign.com/.

Modern Rustic Conversation Piece…the marriage of metal and wood has always been a favorite in design.  This beautiful Baroque Wood Crystal Chandelier has an unexpected material in the traditional style.  Forming the draping beads and “crystals” from wood rather than glass gives it a rusticity that could work in a formal setting or with a shabby chic environment.  Wherever you put it, this fixture is certain to get a second glance.  It is available from Restoration Hardware at www.restorationhardware.com/.

I couldn’t make up my mind so I merged two glorious designs together…this fairly recent trend of putting a drum shade over traditional crystal chandeliers moves to a new level with this gorgeous design.  The Fascination pendant marries the beauty of crystal with the updated modern sophistication of a metal edged linen drum shade.  This piece from Uttermost can be found online at www.lampsplus.com.

Another “design merge” is the Foucault’s Twin Orb Crystal Chandelier from Restoration Hardware.  Marrying an iron cage around a traditional crystal design is another modern trend that can bring a bit of classy sophistication to a rustic room, or a rustic charm to a high end designer style.  Either way, you can’t miss with this interesting mixture of materials.  Take your crystal chandelier hostage online at www.restorationhardware.com.

Classic Elegance.  This silk shade in an unexpected clover shape over a traditional metal chandelier is a beautiful example of modern, elegant design.  The Rittenhouse by Arteriors Home could be used in a multitude of spaces from elegantly traditional to sleek modern but wherever you choose to put it there will always be an air of sophistication.  It can be found online at www.lampsplus.com.