Chandeliers
10.20.06 By Lorraine Newberry
My parents were given a beautiful old crystal chandelier as a wedding gift, and it has hung in all seven of the homes they’ve had since they married. Some would have thought that magnificent chandelier would have looked out of place in their humble cape cod-style starter home, but my mother made it work.
There has been a renewed interest in chandeliers over the past decade or so, brought about in part by the “Shabby Chic” style made popular by Rachel Ashwell. Ornate, romantic chandeliers play an important part in Shabby Chic decor and serve as a focal point for these pretty rooms. Some are so taken with the look of chandeliers that they collect them to use in entryways, dining rooms and even bedrooms.
Chandeliers were used as far back as medieval days to light large rooms in churches and castles. Early chandeliers were simple affairs made of wood with candles mounted on spikes on the arms. Over time chandeliers became fashioned out of metal and then crystal, popular for the
Most vintage chandeliers will need to be rewired by a lighting professional since the original wiring can become worn and frayed over time, which can pose a danger of short circuits leading to fire. It’s also a good idea to bring an old chandelier to a restoration specialist who can take the chandelier apart, clean each piece and reassemble it. Chandeliers are often heavy, so before mounting a chandelier to the ceiling it’s important to find out whether a ceiling is structurally sound enough to carry the weight of the chandelier or if it will need to be reinforced.
Read more about shabby chic style
Read about a few famous chandelier makers
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Article Tags: chandelier, crystal, Rachel Ashwell================
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November 17th, 2006 at 1:43 am
I just bout an amazing “shabby chic” chandelier from kathy ireland home at lamps plus for our dining room and is absoluty beautiful.
The price was right and for a busymom was really a breeze.
November 18th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
ok, enough about chandliers! Do you know who lightens up my candles? kathy ireland…chic has these cool men spa candles that I wanted to buy from day spa in hollywood, but they were out. I don’t want a chandlier, I want chic’s ID Men candles.
November 20th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Carmen, I took a look and they really are beautiful chandeliers!
November 24th, 2006 at 1:42 am
[...] Collectors’ Quest: There has been a renewed interest in chandeliers over the past decade or so, brought about in part by the “Shabby Chic” style made popular by Rachel Ashwell. Ornate, romantic chandeliers play an important part in Shabby Chic decor and serve as a focal point for these pretty rooms. Some are so taken with the look of chandeliers that they collect them to use in entryways, dining rooms and even bedrooms. [...]
November 29th, 2006 at 9:58 am
i found a Kathy Ireland candle at a small store in royal oak when on vacation. does anyome know were i canfind the candles in new jersey. the candles are really great.
November 29th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Hi Joeann,
I have bought Kathy Ireland Candles at Wallgreens in NJ, the scented candles are wonderful, enjoy them.
Vida.
December 14th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Carmen…thank you for the info…i guess Kathy have a line for everything…i went to her website and i was able to find all het products…hope i am not too late for holiday gifts…Joe
February 5th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
hey carmen! you and my wife wiht your scented candles what is it about scented candles. Tht is way too funny she too purchased these candles from either wall greens or joans some scented jardin del dia (jduJ) as i’m staring right at them from the kathy ireland collection, but I have to admit these jduj candles from the kathy ireland line are pretty cool. my wife knows i don’t really care for scented candles, but she picked these particularly for me a gardening scent….ahhhhh but then we visited lamps plus store a lighting store and she fell in love with the chandlier i dont’ remember the name of the chandlier, but it was inspired by some latin country a category of La Vida Buena. the chandlier is sitting in at the entrance of our door. love that she knows my taste.
July 1st, 2007 at 1:33 am
shabby chic decorating…
Hi. Very nice blog. I\’ve been reading your other entries all day long..lol….
July 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
May Anderson…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….