When you hang a chandelier in your house you acquire something beautiful and practical and an object that will become a focus for the room. All other decorations will revolve around it. It will become the centrepiece, a talking point. A fireplace draws attention to a lower level in a room; a chandelier is the highest point of a room's decoration.

Never before in the long history of the chandelier has there been as much choice as there is today. You can buy in person or over the internet. You can scour or the junk shops in England or America or the brocante stalls in France.

Perhaps the longest established and best known chandelier maker in France is the firm of Baccarat, which continues to thrive today.

The type of chandelier which is associated with French work is more open with its main structural support supplied not by a stem or chains but rather by a cage or frame with prettily curved members, often gilded and with candles or drops in the centre space. Like English chandeliers, they have pendants and chains of drops.

The difference is that instead of being massed together, they are however spaced further apart so that they can be seen individually. The effect is extremely delicate and ornate without being elaborate.

The ironwork on French chandeliers by the 1900s was superbly attractive and refined. The stem might have stalks and leaves curling off it supporting crystal drops, flowers and beads. For all the bags and festoons of drops, glass arms, full panoply of other elements, the French chandelier is distinctively never crowded or heavy and always alluring.

Chandeliers come in all sizes and shapes - some more unusual than others. Amongst some of the most charming eccentric chandeliers are those designed to represent hot-air balloons. The early nineteenth century saw a wave of enthusiasm for hot-air balloons, prompted by the first balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers, Michel and Joseph travelling through the air for some 6 miles in 1783. Some Montgolfier chandeliers are Italian others French.

One of the things you need to be absolutely sure of is that your chandelier is safe; that when it is installed it will stay up, it won't shed pieces on your head and it won't electrocute anyone or burn the house down.

If you bought you chandelier from a brocante or a market you should use common sense about its wiring. Any chandelier is only as good as safe electrically speaking as the circuit of which it is part. Have it tested by a qualified electrician and rewired if in doubt.

Corina Clemence loves french chandeliers and runs a luxury chateau near Blois, for up to 15 people perfect for visiting vineyards, chateaux and relaxing. Rent castle France. Hire french chateau. www.loirechateau.com

Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com

Please Rate The Above Article From The Communication Category

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Communication Articles Via RSS!