My Verbosity

A Chandelier is a lighting fixture that is generally mounted on a ceiling. It is a branched, decorative light with two or more arms. It is very ornate in design and contain dozens of glass pieces, lamps, and crystals to create the best illumination in your room, making it look artistic and exotic.

History and the Varied Sources of Illumination

The earliest evidence of chandeliers was found in the medieval places of assembly. However, these lighting fixtures were simple structures at that time and were focused more on functionality than elegance. The 15^th century shows evidence of more complex, beautiful, and ornate designs but these were lit using candles due to the lack of electricity. Also, the cost of illumination at night was expensive considering the sheer amount of fuel and candles they required. This made them a symbol of luxury and status; only the rich could afford to use them.

The 18^th and the 19^th century saw more elaborate and complex forms of chandelier lighting. Glass pieces of varying colors were also introduced during the same time period. It is around this time that gas light was used as the source of illumination. Later by around 1890s when electricity was invented, these lighting fixtures were produced, using both gas and electricity as their lighting source.

As time went on and electricity became cheaper and widely available, they were being wired only to use electricity as power supply became standard. The other forms of illumination were slowly coming out of favor. Towards the end of 20^th century as other forms of illumination became popular, they were used only as decorative pieces in the room and not as sources of illumination

A Masterpiece

These sources of light are a work of art and one such art-piece, the world’s largest chandelier called a Bohemian crystal chandelier, is located in the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. It was a gift from Queen Victoria that boasts 750 lamps and weighs 4.5 tons. The Dolmabahce Palace also has the world’s largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world

There are so many different styles of chandelier on the market these days, but the most popular style at the moment would appear to be the glass and ceramic designs. The main use for a chandelier is to bring light to a dark room, but they will do it along with bring a touch of class to the space.

There are hundreds of different styles of light to choose from. Generally people will use a more formal style of chandelier for their formal rooms like the dining room. For living rooms and other more casual rooms you could use a ceramic or wooden chandelier. Wooden chandeliers can be made to suit many different rooms. These are also made in a huge range of colors and shades, so no matter how your home is decorated you can find a perfect match.

If you are after an antique chandelier then you should be able to find something you like at any antique dealer. One of my favorite chandeliers has to be the 15' cast brass crystal chandelier. This is a beautiful 2 tier, 65 drop chandelier from the 1950s, which can also be adjusted if you need it. Lights like these can sell for anything from $2,000 to $3,000 at an average antique dealer.

If you are wanting a new light that is going to be a bit different from the norm, then you should have a look at some of the crystal chandeliers that are available. A crystal chandelier is going to add a elegance to your home, with the light reflecting off of all the crystal drops. Your guests will find it hard to take their eyes off of your crystal lighting. From the range of crystal chandeliers, I have to say that one of my favorites has to be the chrome plated Maria Theresa chandelier, which has many lovely polished crystals hanging from it. This chandelier is made using only the finest quality crystals available. The Maria Theresa Chandeliers really are absolutely beautiful and are great at starting conversations.

But, for a room that is more casual, like your den or living room, then wooden chandeliers are ideal.

This article was submitted by the people at Best Chandelier.

Are you looking to brighten up your home with an antler chandelier? If the theme of your decor is rustic or western, then this type of lighting fixture will make an ideal addition.

The overwhelming number of chandeliers of this kind are constructed from real antlers. These are usually shed from the animals in the winter time after mating season. Whitetail deer, moose, mule deer, and majestic elk are some of the animals from which the antlers come from. These will be picked up by people who will craft them into beautiful lighting fixtures or by people who sell these naturally shed antlers to manufacturers. These deer-friendly chandeliers make up a good portion of the market. Because no two sets of antlers are the same the designs of the chandeliers are as unique as the animals from which they came.

There are many stores, as well as online outlets, which carry lighting fixture in this particular unique style. If you look around you can find one that brightens up your home décor style! If not, you could always consider the possibility of having one custom made to your specifications.

If you have a creative flair, you could always opt to design and construct your own. There are videos available for step by step instructions on how to make your own custom chandelier. These videos will teach you how many antlers you will need, show you various design ideas, how to grade them, assemble, drill for internal wiring, conceal the wire, test, stain and finally paint the antlers.

If you want to create your own, or if you would like to have someone build a custom one for you, one of the first places you will want to begin is by choosing just want you want it to look like. You will need to decide on how large it will be and home many or how few tiers it should have when it is completed. Another important point to be aware of is antler size. Choosing ones that are of the relative same size is important. As we have discussed previously, each one is as unique as the animal it came from, so be sure you find some which are going to easily fit with each other. Know what type of lighting scheme you want and how many light fixtures are needed, as well as if you want down lighting or not.

Whether you choose to design, construct or shop for an antler chandelier, you will have fun doing so! The end result will be the addition of a beautiful lighting fixture in your home which will be enjoyed for many years to come!