The chandelier is a type of lighting fixture that has a distinctive characteristic no matter what the design is. It is created to add a dramatic effect in the room or area where it is placed. A Quoizel chandelier brings this extraordinary effect to any type of décor with the various designs it is available in. There are several styles created in an ornate Spanish style design. These have the curved spirals in the base that are common for items crafted of metal in a Spanish design. The base structure is available as a single tiered unit with five decorative lamps as well as a free lowing curved item.

The Salamander design is one of the artistic free form styles that are created with a bronze base and stained glass shades. The shades are designed in a fluted style and appear to cascade over each other in the design. This piece has five lights and would be the perfect accessory light to place in an entryway of a home. A more classic design is the large chandelier created with a nickel base and multi-tiered shades. The Duchess has three tiers of lights and includes frosted glass shades.

In the line of lights available from the Quoizel Company there are also decorative styles that have glass or crystal beads hanging from the base structure. They also have several styles of smaller pendant chandeliers that work well when placed over a kitchen table or counter area. They also carry items that have the reproduced look of real candle lighting with the bulb situated on a metal designed candlestick. The width of a fixture will vary depending on its style and the number of lights it has. They offer sizes ranging from 11 inches in width to 47 inches. The price will also vary depending on the particular style you select.

Chandeliers have a long and interesting history. From the middle, ages where they were cross like fixtures, to today where people suspend lavish and ornately decorated fixtures. Though not so much a sign of status as they once were chandeliers are still widely used and loved today.

The earliest models of chandeliers appeared in the middle ages. Though they did perform the same function as the modern chandelier they were used more for practicality than decoration. People would often suspend a wooden cross-like fixture, with candles secured on metal spikes, by a string or wire. Once raised to the desired height the fixture would then be hung on a hook to ensure that it stayed in place. Once used primarily in places of assembly, their role in society changed as the years went by.

In the 15th century there was a turn in their applications. As they began to work their way into the home and the turned into an object of decoration and pleasure rather than a practical fixture. They began to represent a status, a rank in society. They started to resemble crowns and took on a more ornate tone. These quickly found their way into the homes of the rich and the wealthy.

Approaching the 18th century chandeliers began to not only be made out of carved wood but metal as well. These of course were more expensive but were found more commonly in the expanding merchant class. Due to advancements in glass making lead crystals, known for their light scattering properties, were added to these chandeliers and thus the crystal chandelier was born.

Further advancements in fuel and power, gave birth to the gas chandelier and eventually the electric powered model. With this the modern designs that we can create are both stunning and astonishing. Chandeliers have turned into not only a symbol of status and rank but a coveted fixture and an ornate piece of architecture and decoration.

When it comes to selecting lighting for your home, there are so many choices on the market today.   From Art Déco to Rustic, or Old World to Luxurious, you are sure to find the perfect lighting fixture for any room.   In addition to track lighting, recessed lighting and lamps, there is the every so stylish and popular chandelier.   Beautifully crafted from a multitude of materials and colors, such as white, bronze, brass, black, gold and crystal,  chandeliers can add just the right amount of light to a room or area.  This is achieved by the number of lamps and the brightness of the bulbs used.  Unlike the single recessed light or pendant light, the chandelier makes a statement like no other and gives the versatility that other lighting fixtures may not have.   They were traditionally used for grand entryways or dining rooms only, but not anymore.    Today, there are so many sizes and wonderful styles now from designers that will complement almost any room in a house, from the grand to mini chandeliers as well.

One example of chandelier lighting is the candle light style that has the look of the more traditional ones that used real candles at a time when there was no electricity.    Today, of course, the real candlestick styles are not practical, so bulbs are used that mimic the flame of the candle.   Many will come with interesting shades and be made from things like wrought iron.   More traditional chandeliers might be fashioned from pewter that has an aged look  or rubbed bronze.

Unlike the Old World styling above, the crystal chandelier speaks of luxury and elegance.    Who hasn’t just stood and adored the sparkle of a crystal chandelier in a large entryway or dining room?  Looking more like a tree of diamonds, than a lighting fixture,  it can transform any room into sheer beauty that is breathtaking.    So whether you are looking for that simple décor or something more fabulous, there is certainly a chandelier out there for you, but the hard part will be choosing which one?

Have you considered installing a chandelier? It will add grace and elegance to your home. Chandeliers have a long history and adding one to your decor is like having a piece of history in your home.

The earliest chandeliers are thought to have been used in medieval churches. They generally took the form of a flat or horizontal cross that had a number of spikes sticking up. Candles would be secured to the spikes and the whole assembly could be hoisted above the congregation’s heads. They probably used rope or chain for suspension.

Over time more complex forms of chandeliers were invented. They become popular decorative features – merchants, clergy and nobles decorated their homes with this new light source. The high cost made the chandelier a symbol of luxury and status. Only the wealthiest of merchants and the stateliest of clergy could afford the opulence of chandelier lighting.

During the 18th century, ornate chandeliers with gilt decoration became very popular. The designs became more elaborate as the art grew. A standard chandelier of the period had long, curved arms and dozens and dozens of candles. More opulent but less costly, chandeliers could be found in the homes of the growing merchant class. Neoclassical motifs like scrolls and columns were common. The chandeliers of this period were mostly in cast metals but carved and gilded wood were popular, too. Technological improvements in glassmaking allowed for the cheaper production of lead crystal. Lead crystal is highly refractive – sending rainbow colors everywhere. So it’s not surprising that leaded glass quickly became a popular addition, leading to the crystal chandelier.

Chandeliers continued to evolve as technology and artistry expanded. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, chandeliers were the choice for illumination. Nobility down through the merchant classes enjoyed the extended hours that indoor lighting allowed. As expected, the richer the household, the more elaborate the chandelier.  The introduction of first gas then electrical lighting devalued the chandelier’s appeal. Gas powered chandeliers, a precursor to our electric lighting, appeared in the mid-19th century, and many candle chandeliers were converted to gas. By the turn of the 20^th century, gas chandeliers were being converted to electricity. Electricity took over as our main power source very quickly and chandeliers were produced solely for electric use.

In our time, the chandelier is used more as a decorative focal point for a room and may not give any significant  illumination. Some of the most popular styles include bronze, crystal, leaf-motif, mission style and wrought iron. Depending on the style, you can feel like you are accenting your home with a piece of history, for example by installing a traditional lead crystal  chandelier, or simply continuing the long line of families who chose to illuminate with chandeliers. Either way, it’s a smart lighting choice.

Chandeliers are a great way to add drama and interest to any room in your home. While they have always been staples in the décor of dining rooms and foyers, more homeowners have begun to use chandeliers as accent pieces throughout their homes. If you are purchasing your first chandelier, there are a few things that should be considered before adding a new chandelier to your home.

When most people hear the word chandelier, a traditional large, ornate chandelier is often the first thing that comes to mind. Though these remain popular, especially for those with large homes and formal dining rooms, there are chandeliers that will fit in with any aesthetic. Many home furnishing designers have added chandeliers with clean, geometric lines to their collections. These can be used to add a jolt of color to a monochromatic, modern room.

Before purchasing and installing a new chandelier, pay close attention to the height of the ceiling. Remember that not only will the height of the chandelier itself need to be accommodated, but you must also allow room for it to hang. In rooms with low ceilings, a chandelier may make it difficult to move about freely.

Though they are beautiful, chandeliers are rarely great light sources. For those who are replacing an overhead light fixture with a chandelier, it is important to make sure that there is enough supplemental lighting in a room to light it properly. Bring in additional lamps in complimenting styles or install track lights along a room’s edge.

Something that is often overlooking when a chandelier is being purchased is how it must be cleaned. Keep in mind that intricate, crystal chandeliers or those in antique metals will require a great deal of time consuming maintenance. While this should not discourage anyone from getting the chandelier of their dreams, it can be a deciding factor if you are torn between two styles.