You want drama? Few home accessories provide more theatrics than an elaborate chandelier.
The ceiling-mounted light fixtures do more than illuminate a room; they affect the ambience of the entire space.

They’re intricate, flamboyant and luxurious. They’re timeless and iconic. Chandeliers can be the standout detail that makes a home feel like a castle.

It’s no wonder, then, that chandeliers date back to medieval times, when their design boasted candles on wooden spikes. They became more ornate in the 15th century and, with the high cost of illumination at the time, became a symbol of status and lavishness. Crystal became the staple characteristic of formal chandeliers and remains the necessary detail in more traditional fixtures.

But chandeliers have evolved beyond the oversized, excessive dinner-time centerpiece. They’re no longer only a symbol of wealth and social status or relegated to the dining room. They are now flexible in design, modern and functional. They greet guests in foyers, illuminate stairways and romanticize bedrooms. Accordingly, sales of chandeliers have increased significantly within the past decade.

Call it a Comeback
Kathie Pierce, a sales representative with Northern Lighting in Westerville, says chandeliers have made an obvious comeback just within the past four to five years, and now account for 30 to 40 percent of all lighting sales at the store.

The comeback, according to Pierce, has been fueled by two factors: more design options and open floor plans.

“There are so many fun finishes and options now. You can get really creative. People can fit them into the design of their home better,” Pierce says. “I’ve seen them in master bathrooms, in bedrooms, in foyers and, of course, great rooms – many more places than just the dining room. Home plans are so open these days, and a chandelier really adds a nice flow to a room and helps define the area.”

Some of Northern Lighting’s biggest sellers are those with nickel and oil-rub bronze finishes, and wrought iron styles.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg in styles. If you want a throwback to the traditional chandelier laden in brass and crystal, it’s out there. There are also Tiffany, Mediterranean, Americana, Asian and art styles. There are chandeliers with glass bird cage designs or flowers, donned with hand-blown glass designs, with children’s themes, nautical themes and everything in-between. You can even get an energy efficient chandelier.

Pierce says another big seller is the “chandlelette,” which is a smaller version of a chandelier and brings the same amount of elegance to smaller spaces.

“They’re about 12 to 14 inches and fit well over kitchen islands or in rooms with shorter ceilings,” she says.

Broad Appeal
Whether you hang a chandelier over your foyer or a chandelette over your pool table, the addition most certainly adds appeal to the space. You can install the fixtures to add a casual or contemporary style, or to formalize and bring some tradition into the design. The possibilities now seem endless.

“A lot of people are staying in their homes longer and remodeling them more now. Chandeliers are a great way to add something special to the home because of their aesthetic value, and there are so many styles now that can fit anyone’s taste,” Pierce says.

Accessories, shades and glass choices run the gamut, so you can personalize your fixture. Dress up your piece in Swarovski crystals, colored beads, prisms, even rock crystal. Cover up your bulbs with antique brass, sterling silver or white glass. Chandeliers also come with dimming options to increase efficiency and convenience.

Tips
When shopping for a chandelier it is important to keep it proportional to the room (as opposed to the dining room table or another piece of furniture). Pierce suggests a simple rule of thumb: If the room is 12 feet by 12 feet, then a 24-inch chandelier is the perfect size (Pierce simply adds the length and width of the room to estimate the chandelier size).

“You can have an inch or two bigger or smaller as leeway. And if the ceiling is taller, you can usually add another inch, but if you go any bigger than that formula, it will look bulky,” she says.

Another hint is to hang a chandelier at least 24 inches above the dining room table to provide the best lighting.

The biggest tip, however, is to make sure it fits your style. These days, the fixtures are diverse enough to harmonize with most tastes. And few trends will ever trump the elegance and timelessness of a chandelier.

“Chandeliers are like an art piece or jewelry for a room. They have a real presence and are a great conversation piece,” Pierce says. “They complement everything and add color and light. They’re gorgeous.”

Alicia Kelso is editor of Luxury Living Magazine.

BONUS:
Need some style ideas for the home? The 18th annual Decorators’ Show House will be held April 18-May 10 at the Galbraith Home, 2575 Leeds Rd., Upper Arlington. Admission is $20.

This year’s theme is green, and an effort will be made to reuse much of the existing features. Proceeds from the show, which is jointly sponsored by the Women’s Board of the Columbus Museum of Art and Chapter 32 of the American Society of Interior Designers go toward the museum. Hours are Friday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.