The Chandelier Blog

The Phantom of the Opera, now recognizable as a stage show or movie, was originally a French novel by Gaston Leroux. Published as a serial from 1909 to 1910, Leroux’s tale of a disfigured musical genius stalking a young ingénue has haunted us for decades.

Lon Chaney shocked audiences as the Phantom in 1929. Using pieces of fish skin to signify a facial deformity, the sight caused many a feeble audience member at the movie’s premiere to pass out from shock. Many other interpretations have followed, but the one constant from Leroux’s novel is the infamous chandelier scene.

It is said that Leroux’s idea for a crashing chandelier was lifted from an actual event. In 1906 huge pieces of a chandelier hanging in a French opera house broke apart and crashed down into an audience.

In 1986, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber unveiled his Broadway version of The Phantom of the Opera. His twist on the chandelier scene was to incorporate the actual audience as part of the musical. At the end of the first act, a chandelier starts to fall towards the audience and then the lights go out. It is a chill inducing moment that leaves the audience gasping for air.

In 2004, a film version of Webber’s musical premiered. Casting the chandelier was a challenge to production designers and the ultimately settled on one that weighed nearly 2 tons. Decorated by hand with over 20,000 Swarovski crystals, it’s estimated cost is well over 1 million dollars. Luckily the famous crash was performed by a chandelier stunt double.

Antler chandeliers are a stunning way to incorporate the natural beauty of an animal in your home. Using the antlers of a majestic deer, elk or moose is completely humane. As the antlers begin to grow they are covered in fur, but as they get longer and longer the blood supply to the antlers dwindle and they become something that beasts need to shed. In the early fall months antler rimmed animals can be seen knocking their antlers against trees in order to separate them from their body. By winter blood supply returns to the antlers and they are effectively shed.

Pat Fillman, the owner of Horns a Plenty, made the world’s largest antler chandelier. Pat displayed his creation in early 2005 wowing all that saw it. The chandelier is 10 feet in diameter, 12 feet tall, and is fixed with sixty-seven light sources. With a final weight of over 850 pounds, he estimates that it took the antlers of nearly 600 dear and elk to make the chandelier.

Made in Pat’s workshop in Nevada, the chandelier had to be constructed in sections for ease of transporting. Commissioned to hang in the entryway of a four-story log home in central California, the chandelier, at the time of construction, was one of a kind.

Now Pat and his design staff at Horns a Plenty will replicate the 12 foot chandelier for anyone that can afford its nearly forty thousand dollar price tag. They will deliver and install the chandelier anywhere in the continental United States.

The largest crystal chandelier in the world is currently hanging in the Sultan Qabos Grand Mosque. Estimated to hang four stories tall, the chandelier weighs nearly nine tons. Most of that weight can be attributed to the over 600,000 Strass crystals and nearly 1,200 halogen bulbs. All of the exposed metal is actually 24 carat gold.

The first Sultan Qaboos Mosque was built in the mid 1970’s in the town of Ruwi. As the town and its population increased, the need for a larger Mosque grew. It was decided that a Grand Mosque should be built and in 1992 the Sultan declared that it would be world’s largest and most lavish Mosque. In 1993, an architectural contest began to find the architect that would be able to design such a large Mosque. In 1995, construction was finally able to begin.

Situated on nearly 103 acres the Mosque is nearly 10 acres in size. There are at least three open entranceways and one massive entrance courtyard – all of which lead to the prayer hall. The men’s prayer hall can hold as many as 6,500 worshippers. They are surrounded by open passageways and walls adorned with Islamic art. The floor of the Mosque is marble stone arranged in symbolic patterns.

A 2830 square foot carpet has been placed on the floor of the men’s prayer hall. The design and assembly took over four years and it weighs 21 tons. There are 35 chandeliers in the main hall, all of them decorated with Swarovski crystals.

One of the hottest new design trends, the mini chandelier is small in size, but big in style. Mini chandeliers can add a whole new dimension to your home. With their small size you can add them in the most unexpected places for sparkle in the most surprising way.

Mini Chandeliers are not recommended over a large dining room table, or as a focal point in the great room, but rather as an addition to a smaller room. They are perfect for your power room, or over a small breakfast nook for a look of elegance. They also work very well in a bedroom, not only as a light source but as a beautiful piece of art. Some of the mini chandeliers have just as much ornamental beauty and intricate carvings as the larger ones but are made for more romantic and secluded spots.

For a covered gazebo in your backyard,try adding a mini chandelier to give you the elegant style of a dining room with the rustic feel of the outdoors. They come as glass chandeliers or with shades, and depending on what look you are going for there is a mini chandelier to suit all styles.

Mini chandeliers have the ability to be more whimsical because they are not going to be in such a formal setting. There are mini chandeliers made of merry go round horses for a baby’s room, or acorns for an enclosed patio setting. Whatever you decide to do to your room, you can’t go wrong with a mini chandelier.

Some people consider pewter to be a cheap form of sterling silver, but it is far from that. Pewter is a wonderful metal with a long history. Pewter was historically an alloy of tin and lead and became popular for uses such as plates, mugs, and utensils back in the early times of Europeans. In the mid 1700’s the lead pewter was slowly vanishing and replaced by a non-leaded form of pewter due to health issues.

Today pewter is enjoying an enormous revival both in household items and in chandeliers. What used to be something the old world Europeans would use has become a popular type of chandelier. Pewter chandeliers were originally hammered or casted to give the stunning deep gray appearance. Nowadays for more affordability in pewter chandeliers, most manufacturers use a pewter finish to create a beautiful look for a lot less cost.

Original pewter chandeliers are hard to find, but not impossible. They have a very antique look to them, and they bring the look of a very heavy European metal. The newer pewter finished chandeliers try to stay with the same antique look, but are much lighter and easier to find. It can have a shiny polished look depending on the manufacturer but most prefer the darkeners that are added to give it more of an older burnished look. Depending on your home and where the chandelier is located you would lucky to have either the authentic pewter chandelier or the pewter finished chandelier.

Chandeliers usually evoke an image of royalty, opulence, and grandeur. Although over time more modern and sleeker versions of chandeliers have come into style, there is nothing more truly authentic and beautiful than an antique chandelier.

To find an antique chandelier, you need to look in antique stores or online with a company that specializes in antique chandeliers. Most companies specialize in antique chandeliers from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. Anything earlier is very difficult to find, but if you do, consider yourself very lucky and scoop it up quickly. There are some made in modern times that look the same, but it doesn’t have the same feeling that is associated with a genuine antique chandelier.

Antique chandeliers are usually made of a darker material, not from the polished steel that you see today. Some are wrought iron or darker woods that show age. Antique chandeliers are usually more ornate with intricate carvings. Many of the antique glass chandeliers have a very special look to them as they all were hand-blown and are made of bright and beautiful colors.

Candle chandeliers have a very antique look to them because of the medieval feel you get from looking at them. It can be made of antlers to hold the candles, as well as brass but never look shiny or new. There are so many choices from gas, electric, solar, as well as candles, but the best antique chandelier you can buy is one that you will truly love.

There are chandeliers to fit any style and look that you are going for, but none are as popular right now as the nickel finished chandeliers. Chandeliers that are finished with a nickel coat have a sleek, silver colored appearance usually. They fit very well into art deco homes, modern homes, as well as someone just looking for a clean appearance for their chandelier.

The nickel finish gives a chandelier a decidedly newer exterior that most people take to mean modern. It doesn’t have to be though, as there are plenty of nickel finished chandeliers done in an antique styling, although it does not look old per se because of the “satin” look that it has.

As with any chandelier, a nickel finished chandelier can be any size with as many lamps as you would need. They come in many styles that would work well in any home. Nickel chandeliers are great for a stainless steel kitchen for a more up to date look, as well as a dining room that has a contemporary flair.

There is a nickel finished called antique nickel finish that doesn’t have as much shine to it. It has a duller complexion to it, giving a more aged look. Again, it may still look modern with clean lines, but it can give a little more mature look to the chandelier. It is a better option for those who love the nickel finish but don’t have a decidedly modern home.

When you think of floss, you may immediately think of the dental kind. However when it comes to floss chandeliers it is more of a cocoon floss that is being used. In 1956, the American cocoon was first introduced in Italy and the manufacturers were looking for a place to use their material. Six years later they were introduced to Flos Incorporated.

Flos Incorporated began to use their floss in their designs to make unique lighting fixtures that were Italian looking with an innovative design style for anyone. Cocoon is a spray on plastic coating that makes an excellent material for chandeliers. They used it in all of their light fixtures to present more of a unique statement.

What started as an innovative design really took off and was copied by many other companies when manufacturing their chandeliers. Different material was used but with much of the same look. Cocoon became yarn, string, actual dental floss, anything to give off the same type of feeling in the chandelier. People use this floss in order to hang beads or to simply display the floss as a way of holding the lights together.

There are many floss chandeliers that have been made over the years, all with a very homey and comfortable feeling. Although beautiful, they are more rustic looking and are great for everyday use in your home. The quality of the floss differs with the companies but it should be strong and secure making your chandelier a real statement to guests.

When selecting which type of chandelier to install in your home there are many things to consider. One of the simplest questions to answer is whether or not you are looking for a showpiece or for function. Most of the tradition style glass chandeliers, while beautiful and glistening, do not provide as much lighting as one might desire. Some may argue that in order to have quality lighting you have to sacrifice quality design.

Enter the round down light chandelier. While most chandeliers are purchased for their artistry, more and more designers are realizing that that many homes require more than just ambiance when it comes to lighting.

Round down light chandeliers look and hang like any other standard chandelier, but it is the addition of the down light that makes them so perfect. Kitted with a dimmer, these chandeliers can be dimmed for mood lighting or the down light can be used to spot light.

A down light chandelier can provide extra lighting for home work, family game night, or even highlight a special table centerpiece. With this added aspect of function chandeliers can now be incorporated into many more rooms- stretching beyond its place in the dining area.

Down light chandeliers can be installed in the kitchen to brighten up a work station. They can be excellent in a plush bathroom, providing that extra illumination for shaving or touching up make up. Install one in your den or family room for moments when table lamps just aren’t enough.

Pendant chandeliers are the perfect elegant lighting solution for small spaces. Typically styled as a single light source hanging from a support arm, the design possibilities are endless. Many different eras of design have a defining flavor that distinguishes them from any other. Most of the recent design influences have offered their take on the pendant chandelier.

Pendant chandeliers with crystal adornments are reminiscent to Victorian styles. A popular version is a single bulb encircled by row after row of small dangling crystal pendants. Another Victorian influenced version is one comprised of pearls. This version is one of elegance and style, but not as efficient when it comes to function.

Another option is to complement a room with a Mission influence with a Mission chandelier. With its angular design and neutral tones, this pendant chandelier brings your style to a new level.

Tiffany lamps have been synonymous with table lamps, but their imprint has also made its way to the chandelier world. Usually with mosaic glasswork in vibrant colors, these chandeliers are literal works of art and should be featured in a show place in your home or office.

The modern design world has also put its stamp on chandeliers. Simple, clean lines in various metals make up the modern take on chandeliers. Many of these styles are being used for out door lighting. Whether it is illuminating a path or shining as a beacon by your front door, modern style pendant chandeliers are one of the most affordable options.