The chandelier is a celebratory lighting fixture that is making a huge comeback in the modern design world. Whether you are selecting a chandelier or light fixture for your dining room or foyer/entry hall, it can be confusing to decide on which size or style is best. Then, once you determine the correct size of light fixture, how do you determine at what height to hang it?
"Most people think of shiny brass multi-arms with faux candle sockets and flame-shaped torpedo bulbs, but designers with modernist inclinations have recently started to embrace the chandelier idea and have developed versions in a contemporary form. Take for example Foscarini's Caboche chandelier or the Hook chandelier with a hand rubbed rust finish,' says David Feldman of YLighting.com. 'Chandeliers come in all shapes and sizes these days. They add a touch of festiveness to every setting while preserving a feeling of elegance.'
It's really not that difficult to choose and hang a chandelier if you follow some easy tips:
1. When you don't have a table to help you determine the width of the chandelier you need for a room, you base the size on the overall room dimensions. One easy way is to add the width and length of the room together in feet and convert that figure to inches to come up with the correct width of the chandelier. Simply add up the dimensions of the room. That number, in inches, is the approximate diameter of the chandelier you should buy. For example, a 10 X 12 room should have a chandelier that's about 22 inches in diameter. Some people prefer oversized chandeliers for their spaces which is acceptable design-wise, but using an undersized chandelier should be avoided unless using multiples.
2. Chandeliers need proper placement to really shine. In a dining room, the rule of thumb is to hang your chandelier directly over the center of the table. As a rough guideline, your chandelier should hang approximately 30 inches from the top of the table to prevent any bumped or burned heads.
3. To avoid leaving your wall art in near-darkness, use recessed lighting or wall sconces to complement your chandelier. In fact, companion sconces are made for many chandeliers just for this purpose. Adding recessed lighting to the corners of the room not only expands the room visually, it also makes your chandelier the focal point.
4. Many contemporary fixtures use halogen or xenon lightbulbs that provide excellent light quality. Use a dimmer, such as the Lutron Maestro series, to create a preset level for soft mood lighting while dining. On those occasions for which you need task lighting at your table, a simple double-click gets you there.
5. If you need an energy-efficient solution, an increasing number of high-style models are available in low-consumption fluorescent options.
6. For long and narrow tables, hang two or three small low-voltage pendants in place of a chandelier for even light distribution. - ARA |
