Chandeliers

Lighting is one of those elements that can simply and easily add a great deal of character and style to a home or room. Of all the different types of lighting Chandeliers are one of the most unique styles of lighting. Chandeliers can instantly add a ton of character to a room. From grandly branching elaborate types to simpler more modern designs they are no longer limited to banquet halls and castles. The use of these forms of lighting are only limited by the imagination of the designer. Conversely, if used in the wrong place they can be a considerable liability, but thankfully those occasions are rare.

Traditionally chandeliers were usually only found in more elaborate settings. They were often found in the stereotypical locations such as castles, mansions, vast receptions, large estate homes, large banqueting halls, and so forth. Their use has changed and become more diversified with time.

Now everyone can consider the possibilities of placing a chandelier of some sort in some location within their home. They have lost the stigma of being too grand, too extravagant, too much. Instead there are chandeliers available that fit in with practically any setting – from a humble living room to the more traditional setting of a hotel’s grand reception.

There are many advantages to chandeliers. First of all, they are able to add interest to your room, and act as a focal point that carries with it the general theme of the rest of your decor. Whether you are going for a modern look with the mimimalism that goes along with it or something a bit more extravagant there is a chandelier that will fit in with your intended ambiance. Another advantage of this type of free hanging light is that it doesn't rest on the floor, and there are no parts for people to have to walk around. The only danger is if a chandelier is placed too low, and someone tall inadvertently walks into it. This however is very unlikely in professional settings, and in the home can be minimized by choosing your lighting carefully.

Chandelier lighting has several constituent parts. Chandelier Arms are the arms that extend out from the center and form various shapes from S shapes to curves and arches. The arms can be plain, fluted, or patterned like rope among other effects. The materials that make up the arms and the body of the chandelier vary from metals such as brass, to wood, and even crystal. At the end of the arms are candles or bulbs when the chandelier is for use as electric lighting. There are other components that may find themselves part of a chandelier. There are are bobeches which were used to collect wax from the candles of traditional chandeliers, which are sometimes used as decorative elements to convey the appearance of a traditional chandelier even when it uses modern electrical lighting. There are shades to cover the lights to stop them from being brilliant, as well as the chains that hold up the light.

Part two of this video is lower down this hub

Chandelier lighting comes in many varieties. To cover them all would be almost impossible, but there are a few major types. From the typical type thought of at the mention of the word to more modern types, there is surely one that would fit in with any interior. Crystal chandeliers are what one might think of as being located in some vast country manor, while there are plenty of other types such as beaded chandeliers, candle chandeliers, antique chandeliers, mini chandeliers, and alabaster chandeliers. Choosing the right type of chandelier to compliment a room is an art. In the past Chandeliers were normally associated with dining areas or grand ball rooms, but their steady uptake in other rooms such as luxury bathrooms has made choosing one even more complicated. Confounding this is the wide range available. Though it's trickier than ever to find the right one, the results are often worth it. Remember that some rooms have special considerations. For example, steam and condensation means that bathrooms are less ideal than other rooms, making more elaborate designs may a nightmare to clean.

When most people think about this type of lighting, it is the crystal chandelier that pops into their head. With cut glass and curving elaborate arms, these types can be grand, elaborate – visible signs of wealth and power. These forms of lighting saw their peak in the 18th and 19th centuries, during which time no hotel reception, dining rooms, ball room, or mansion would have been complete without them. Even to this day they remain a popular form of lighting, and more contemporary styles have appeared to cater to modern sensibilities. The classic crystal format is a timeless design, that with some modern tweaking can fit in practically anywhere.

Up in the mountains the antlers of elk, deer and moose found themselves being put to whatever practical use was possible in the lodges. A chandelier served both a useful purpose and yet offered a decorative function befitting the nature of the material. While high mountain hunting lodges seem like the only kind of place an antler chandelier might be found, they are in fact finding growing popularity outside this original niche, but continue to be found primarily in more rustic settings.

These are made out of everything from bronze, nickel, titanium, brass, chrome, silver, and steel. They take advantages of the qualities of metal as appearing strong, and yet being easy to shape into both beautiful elegant forms or solidly reassuring structures that convey solidity. Past designs favoured curves and elegance, whereas more modern styles feature straight geometry and much less flare – instead finding elegance within the simplicity.

The Venetian island of Murano has produced this famous glass for centuries. The island hosted a functioning commercial port as far back as the seventh century. It is believed the glassmaking originated in ninth century Rome. The various forms of the product include crystalline, enameled, glass with threads of gold, multi-colored, milk, and imitation gemstones. Chandeliers made of this legendary glass add distinctive Old World charm to living space. They create a feeling of established luxury and make a statement about the discerning taste of the homeowner. Many fine dealers can be found easily online. And, the investment will drastically enrich a room’s feel and appeal.

In the past all chandeliers were candle chandeliers. Later oil lights began to appear. Finally electricity started to dominate lighting until nowadays most lights turn on at the flick of a switch. But that's not to say that candles have been replaced entirely. There are still many companies selling authentic candle chandeliers, and many people enjoy the authenticity of owning one of these. Of course, there is extra work involved in clearing up the wax, but this is possibly offset by the enchanting light of the flickering candles as it dances across both the ceiling and room.

The third part of this video is below