Monday, May 18, 2009

Clever Ideas For Chandeliers







Use chandeliers creatively to brighten up your home decor.


Today's chandeliers are more versatile than their ornate, bejeweled ancestors. If you are attracted to suspended lighting but want to avoid a "palace of Versailles" atmosphere, consider clever ideas for incorporating chandeliers into your space. Find the best chandelier for your purposes by perusing the options and considering the overall look you want to create.


Unusual Placement


Incorporate chandeliers into your decor in a surprising, clever way by placing them in unexpected locations. Install a dimmer on a bathroom chandelier to enjoy decadent primping and soaks. Let one dangle at your bedside in lieu of a table lamp. Use a long chain to hang the lamp low so that the lighting effect is intimate rather than floods the room, but is adequate for reading. A chandelier in the walk-in closet is the ideal touch for a clotheshorse. A princess-obsessed child will be astonished when you install a decadent chandelier in her bedroom.


Playful Colors


Stray from old-fashioned crystals and select chandeliers containing modern, bright or unusual coloring. Spray-paint a chandelier an unexpected shade of neon yellow, pink or orange to stand out in a contemporary living room. Add silver leaf for extra sparkle on a white chandelier; choose a chandelier made from bright, cheerful turquoise beads to instantly make a black and white room feel warm and cutting edge.


Artisan Craftsmanship


Invest in a handcrafted chandelier to create a focal point in any room. Artisans specializing in chandelier work make outstanding specimens from all kinds of materials, including abalone shells, wrought iron, ceramic, brass, silver leaf and cast resin. Browse small boutiques and attend juried craft fairs to find examples you like; speak directly with the artist if you want to learn more about her process; see additional examples of her work or request a commission.


Recycled Object DIY


Make your own chandelier from recycled household items for an inexpensive, playful option. You can build shades from any light-reflecting or light-transmitting material that heat does not damage, such as used light bulbs, rope lights, chicken wire, wood and glass beads. Make certain to attach your DIY chandelier securely to the ceiling with the appropriate fixture for your ceiling type.

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