Chandelier Help!
One of the items on my vacation TODO: list is to “choose, purchase, install” the dining room chandelier. Sensing that I might need some help with this, my sister in law (who is an interior designer with impecable taste) sent me a note saying that one of her clients wants to get rid of a chandelier for “quite cheaply”. Here’s a picture of it:
It’s not what I had in mind originally. Originally I was thinking of something a bit more Craftsman style, like this:
In any event, I do like the chandelier that’s available, and I know it’s a pretty high quality one. I dont yet know how cheap “quite cheaply” is, so that’s a consideration.
Tell me what you think? Should I get this chandelier and get this item crossed off my list? Or should I hold out? It will be hung in this room, over the table:
10 Comments
Sean·November 21, 2006
I think it is really nice and has very clean lines. It might be nice to have somthing a little different against the box beams - The craftsman one may be a little too angular.
Andrea·November 21, 2006
I would hold out since I really like the craftsman chandelier (I’m planning something similar in my home). The craftsman would have a much more dramatic effect in that room. The other chandi seems common and it looks a little cheap to me (really, it’s just my personal opinion!).
Ultimately you should think about your plan for the whole house. If you get this “cheap” chandi will it fit in with the other lighting you have (or will have) in your house. Good luck on your choice.
Gui·November 21, 2006
I think the chandelier is a pretty important and evident decoration in your house. You will have to deal with everyday you walk by it. So, the answer really depends on how much more you like the new one vs. the used one. If you think the new one is much nicer than the used one, take your time and go for the new one. You don’t want to regret your choice after putting so much work in your dining room. If you are closer to indiference between the two, then the money savings might be worthwile and you should go for the used one.
I personally prefer the used one and the curvier lines on that changelier.
zia·November 21, 2006
Hi, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, and couldn’t resist replying … HOLD OUT!!! I agree with Andrea’s assessment; it looks nice now, but in 10 years, I think it will look dated.
jm·November 21, 2006
I actually like the used one! I’ve been considering something similar for our dining room. The lines are very clean and smooth. It’s also pretty authentic to the time period of your bungalow, surprisingly. Although they are all the rage now, the Craftsman chandelier in your second photo was not likely original to many bungalows. Our 1914 Stucco Craftsman came with a crystal chandelier in the dining room which we thought had been added later, but in checking with the neighbors who have the same house plans, nope. They have the same light fixture. The first choice, the used one, reminds of the Neoclassical and Beaux Arts fixtures that (according to the bible of Rejuvenation lighting) “hung in countless Craftsman, Colonial, English, and Neoclassical homes.” Look at the Historic Revivals lighting collection at Rejuvenation.
Though, either light fixture would look FANTASTIC in that gorgeous room. :)
Dee·November 21, 2006
Since you like the chandelier, and if the price is right, go for it. If you change your mind later, you can always sell it and get the other one.
I think the curved lines will just set off your gorgeous woodwork on the ceilings more so than the squared-off chandelier.
I doubt your sister-in-law, who knows your taste and has seen your dining room, would recommend something that is inappropriate.
Trissa·November 21, 2006
Wow! Thanks for all the input. The chandelier that we can get from our sister-in-law is very nice (we can just get it cheaply because a client doesn’t want it). I wasn’t sure how it would fit with the design, but I’m now leaning towards saying yes.
Dee- I think the curved lines would look great too.
jm- thanks for the input about original chandeliers.
I think it might be nice to have something that you don’t see as often…
deb·November 21, 2006
why not try both in the space and then decide? or try it in photoshop…?
personally, i think the second one would echo the doors and ceiling perfectly, and the touch of black adds weight to the piece that the first one just doesn’t have.
Nick·November 21, 2006
Thanks for all the comments! Here’s an update: my sister-in-law is having us over for dinner tomorrow night and we’ll get to see the chandelier in person. I think at the moment we’re leaning towards buying it - I know the quality will be better than most of the other ones we could afford. Stay tuned!
Sophia & Gracie·November 21, 2006
Get the top one!