ADD LIGHT AND GREAT STYLE WITH CHANDELIERS
A chandelier is defined as “a branched,
ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights.”
During the medieval times, they were made of wooden beams usually
shaped as a cross with metal spikes on top to hold candles. It was
hoisted towards the ceiling using a rope or chain, and was depended
upon as a useful light source. They evolved into more delicate designs
involving crystals and stones, and became more apparent in palaces,
places of royalty and the wealthy. Today, the chandelier is used in a
more decorative way, adding a luxurious presence to the home.
Nonetheless, chandeliers can add wonderful
ambience to just about any room. They are designed to float in a room
as an element of the design. It can serve as a room’s centerpiece
without taking over the entire space. Chandeliers can be a great
conversation piece, as well as a part of the home that really makes you
feel as though you are living in luxury. They are elegant and
unparalleled additions and command attention like no other furnishing.
There are many points to consider when choosing a chandelier. Size,
materials and light emission are crucial when determining the perfect
chandelier for a room.
Vertical and horizontal sizes
are important decisions to make when selecting a chandelier. A fixture
that is too large may overwhelm the space, however, one too small will
appear out of place or insignificant. The design and size of the
chandelier will also affect the hanging height. For an elaborate
chandelier that
takes up a lot of space, it should be hung a couple of
inches higher than the standard height. Be sure
to hold it up before committing to a height to make sure it works.
Here are some general size dimension rules that will help when choosing
a chandelier:
- If the room is smaller than 10' by 10', choose a 17" to 20" diameter chandelier.
- If the room is about 12' x 12', a 24" to 27" chandelier would be an accurate size.
- If the room is about 14' x 14', try a 24" to 36" diameter chandelier.
Another way to help determine the proper size chandelier for a room
is to add the dimensions together. For example, if your room is 12' by
17', add the 12 plus 17 to get 29. Therefore, a proper size chandelier
would be around 29" diameter for that room.
The length at which the chandelier should hang depends on the
ceiling height of that particular room. The bottom of the fixture should
not hang more than 7' from the floor. If windows are present, center
the chandelier in the window so it can be seen from the outside.
Since a chandelier will be a focus piece in the room, it is vital to
choose materials that will enhance the decor of the area. Lavish and
visually dazzling light fittings can create the most beautiful kind of
lighting. The combination of crystals and candles conjures up all kinds
of nostalgic feelings about chandeliers. Crystal and glass fixtures are
very popular and represent a romantic sense of wealth. Chandeliers can
also come in different metals such as brass, wrought iron, silver and
steel. A wrought iron chandelier produces a magnificent appearance.
Stone, beads, shell and capiz chandeliers aren’t quite as fancy, but
definitely provide a more edgy or whimsical look. Antler chandeliers
from elk or deer embody a rustic style and are perfect for log cabins
and rustic lodges. For a room with a traditional style, a fixture with
more ornamentation and intricate designs will fit best. Alternatively, a
simple chandelier would match a modern style space that is usually
less ornamented. A formal and elegant room is best equipped with a very
impressive chandelier. A space that features antiqued furniture would
be complete with a more detail-enriched chandelier, perhaps with
hanging pendants.
Another appropriate method to help choose the
materials is to begin with a color or element that is influential in
the decoration scheme of the room. You want your chandelier color to
compliment your existing finishes. Brushed bronze, black, silver or
even gold can be neutral tones that will match most decorating schemes.
If you already have a warm, rich, wood and earth-toned theme, a bronze
or gold finished chandelier may work best. If the room has cool tones,
like blues and whites, a silver one would be appropriate. For that
sleek, modern style space with black furniture, a silver or black
fixture will complement that polished design.
Chandeliers have multiple bulbs and tend to
shed a lot of light. The amount of illumination that you will need
can be calculated upon this formula:
Length x Width x 1.5 = wattage
For example, a room that is 12 x 15 feet will need bulbs that
produce a combined total of 270 watts. A chandelier with 6 bulbs that
are 40 watts will most likely provide adequate illumination, especially
if complemented by sconces, lamps, or other light fixtures. A more
general rule to provide sufficient light with the total wattage of all
bulbs is 100 watts to 400 watts. Since chandeliers of recent times are
not used as a light source but more as a decorative piece, placing your
chandelier on a dimmer is a great option. A dimmer allows adjustment to
the light level in order to set the perfect mood.
A very common spot for a chandelier is
often found in the dining room. It is important to make sure that the
chandelier is low enough to light up the eating area without
interfering with the
sight line of the people seated at the table. The general rule is to
measure 30" to 36" from the
surface of the table to the bottom of the fixture to insure good
illumination. Additionally, it should be about 12" narrower than the
width of the table so it will not interfere with people’s heads. Often,
the best thing to do is hold the fixture over the table and move it up
and down
until it looks right.
The perfect chandelier in the foyer will create
a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter the home. It should provide
the general light needed to greet guests and assure a safe passage into
your home. When determining whether to hang a flush, semi-flush, or
multi-tiered chandelier in your foyer, consider the ceiling height of
the foyer and remember to keep it around 7 feet above the floor. For
two-story foyers with a window above the front door, center the
chandelier so it can be seen from outside. If your foyer is
extra-large, you may also want to add matching sconces. They should be
installed about 5 feet from the floor and around 6' to 8' apart.
A chandelier hanging at the top of a stairway can be a great focus
point. Staircases are often overlooked when it comes to home decor, so
the simple addition of a chandelier can integrate this space into the
rest of your living area.
The kitchen is a unique, but elegant location
for a chandelier. Many homeowners will match the dining area chandelier
with the lighting used in the kitchen to keep a cohesive look
throughout the home.
If you are placing your chandelier in a room
with a relatively low ceiling like some bedrooms, consider purchasing a
mini chandelier. In recent years, mini chandeliers have been gaining
popularity for their ability to fit nicely into small spaces without
sacrificing the character that a high-quality chandelier exhibits.
For countless years, chandeliers have long
provided a majestic form of lighting that makes the space look grand
and stately like no other lighting fixture. It can be a decorative
accent or lovely centerpiece to just about any room in the home. Since
matching the style of the room is of utmost importance, do not be
afraid to experiment with different sizes, tastes and designs of
chandeliers to see which one works best for your home.
Opening your doors to family and friends will make your home come
alive with spirit. Creating a retreat for your guests will make them
feel comfortable, pampered, and most importantly, at home. Spoil your
guests with an amazing guest bedroom suite that will make them return
for visits time and time again.
There are several tips and tricks to create a magnificent guest bedroom. Follow these ideas and you may never have your house to yourself again.
Choose a theme with a traditional color palette. Soothing tones work
best to make your guests feel comfortable. Some throw pillows, a
blanket, matching artwork and curtains will help tie the look together.
Use only your best. Resist the urge to use what you don’t want to
use in your own bedroom. Your guests deserve the best, including sheets,
bedspreads, mattress and pillows. Provide plenty of blankets no matter
what the temperature, as well as a fan if the room doesn’t have a
ceiling fan. Treat this space as a luxury hotel and your family and
friends will be eager to stay awhile.
Make sure the guest bedroom has all the right pieces of furniture.
A decorative bed is only the beginning. Flank the bed with nightstands,
each one equipped with a reading lamp, so guests who are sharing the
bedroom can enjoy the space even if one may be sleeping. Offer an area
for clothing storage, either a chest of drawers or a closet with
hangers. A cozy seat also warms the space and invites the guests to
enjoy the area for rest or reading. And, if you have the space, add a
dressing or vanity mirror so your guests are able to freshen up a little
before greeting everyone.
Don’t use this space as a storage
room. A guest bedroom is just that. In order to make your guests feel
welcome, store your overflowing belongings elsewhere, including all your
exercise equipment!
Remember the little things. Guests do not want to feel like they are
intruding so always be one step ahead of them. Furnish the room with
essentials such as a set of towels, a wastebasket, night light, facial
tissues, and an alarm clock. Going further, it is nice to provide
amenities including fresh flowers, books or magazines, a welcome basket
filled with travel items, bottled water and a glass, potpourri, and dish
with mints or candy.
One last tip before opening your home
to overnight guests: stay a night in the suite you’ve created. Make
sure the lighting is appropriate, the furniture is arranged for an easy
flow, and the bed is fit for a dream-like sleep. After you make any
necessary changes you can sleep easy knowing your guests have nothing
but the best.
For example, if you were to look beyond the sequins, a ballerina's
intricate tutu is just a plain leotard. Without that secret dash of
something extra, the gourmet chef's chicken tastes just like something
you whip up for dinner any normal night. The same can be said for your
home design – the little details like trim and moulding can make all the
difference in the overall look and feel of your personal paradise.
Once upon a time, moulding was an installation nightmare that
overwhelmed the most ambitious designers. Materials were heavy,
difficult to manage, and still needed to be primed, painted, cut and
positioned – certainly not a task for the average homeowner to
undertake. Today's materials eliminate some of those challenges, making
moulding and trim installation a wonderful do-it-yourself task that is
not terribly time consuming. But before busting out the caulk gun and
your hammer, there is some preparation.
Moulding and trim is both decorative and functional. Once
installed, the details are eye appealing and add significantly to your
decor, all while hiding joints from your walls, floors, ceilings,
windows and doors. Mouldings are available in several materials that
vary based on finish and price: Hardwood – meant to be stained or left with a natural finish; expensive
- Pine or Fir – typically paint grade; less expensive
- Polyurethane foam – can be painted or stained to resemble wood; most inexpensive and manageable
Each of these materials comes in a variety of styles. Prefinished
options come ready to install without need for painting or staining.
There is also minimal touch up necessary when installed correctly. There
may be a limited selection at your local hardware vendor, so take your
time researching all your options. Contact stores or manufacturers about
catalogs with available styles and suggestions based on home design.
After choosing the trim style you like best, it is time to decide
where exactly your interior trim will be placed. Though the pieces
themselves are often the same style and material, the proper term for a
kind of trim is designated by placement:
- Cornice – Also referred to as crown moulding, this trim runs where the walls meet the ceiling. Crown moulding gives a lovely, finished look to any room whether formal or functional.
- Chair rail – Chair rail is typically a wooden moulding that runs the height of a chair back (average 32 inches). It is a beautiful way to protect your walls from scuffs and bumps brought on by furniture, and can also be used as a baseboard or other decorative moulding.
- Wainscoting – Paneling applied to the lower portion of a wall. Running between 36 to 54 inches in height, wainscoting is often topped with a chair rail and is great for adding a decorative element to walls while protecting them from scuffs and furniture bumps. Wainscoting is easy to clean and extremely useful in active homes with pets or children.
- Baseboard – The baseboards of a home run between 3 to 12 inches high where the lowest part of the wall meets the floor, hiding the uneven edges of flooring. Even when wainscoting is not used, the baseboard helps protect the walls from scuffs and bumps. Often simple and practical, baseboard trends are turning toward more elaborate designs encompassing a room's decor.
- Door and Window Casing – The trim around a door or window is known as the casing, with the inside pieces being referred to as the jambs. There are as many options for casings as any other moulding, ensuring a seamless design throughout a room.
Moulding and trim work is not limited to the interior of your house, as finishing touches are needed outside too. Outdoor trims will enhance your home's curb appeal,
and with a multitude of options it is easy to find what suits your home
and personal style. Such choices may include shutters and window boxes,
columns and pilasters, front porch railings and banisters, mailboxes,
crown moulding, and doorknockers. Take advantage of these decorative
elements to hide transitional seams while adding gracefully to your
home's facade.
After considering the trim you like best and it's placement, take a
few purchase preparation steps. These will be beneficial whether
installing moulding yourself or hiring a professional. First, have a
floor plan
of each room or area in which you intend to install trim. Measure each
wall and record the measurements onto the floor plan. Then measure a
second time; this is very important, as cutting the moulding with
incorrect measurements will increase your budget
and your time commitment. After gathering the total length of the
measurements, add an extra 10% to account for any mistakes that may crop
up. Even if you are having a professional install your trim, have your
own measurements prepared. When looking for contractors, it will be
beneficial to give them a precise idea of the job ahead so they are
certain to give you an accurate estimate on both time and labor cost. Do
not forget to ask for references to certify quality workmanship. With
the right style and installation, your dream home will receive an instant upgrade by simply adding the moulding and trim of your choice.
