Lighting Ideas: Great Chandeliers

Kick your style up a notch with a great chandelier. Whether you like glam with shimmering crystal pendants or rustic in wrought iron, you’ll find examples of spectacular lighting for every room in your home.

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Stunning Chandelier

Suspended from on a gold leaf ceiling with a starburst plaster medallion, this 18th-century Italian chandelier packs dramatic impact. See it in a dining room setting on the next slide.

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Antique Chandelier Detail

Hollywood glam rules in this dining room with a gold-leaf ceiling and chairs designed by Billy Haines and covered in Clarence House coral velvet, but the scene-stealer is the chandelier.

Chandelier Drouet, Paris

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Bright Kitchen Lighting

Unexpectedly formal in the bright blue-and-white kitchen of a waterfront weekend getaway home, the chandelier adds a touch of class, like great shoes with blue jeans.

Chandelier ("Italian Chandelier, 12-arm"/Chalk Rust): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com

Beautiful Beaded Chandelier

This is the music room of Katie Brown of TV’s “Katie Brown Workshop,” a designer with a lively young family. A quiet space in the otherwise bustling home, the room has a poetic look, enhanced by a chandelier with wooden beads. See the chandelier in Katie’s living room on the next slide. (Look closely at the wall behind the chandelier to see part of the menagerie Katie commissioned an artist to paint.)

Chandelier ("Marigot 6-Light Chandelier with wood beads" #CHC1415): Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com

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Crystal Chandelier

The parlor is gently illumined by this 8-light chandelier from Circa Lighting. (A fixture with a certain gravitas is needed to hold its own in a room with 11-foot windows that stretch almost to the ceiling!)

Chandelier ("Eight Light Crystal Petal Chandelier" #CHC1470): Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com

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Luxurious Lighting

Timeless twin chandeliers mix it up with chairs upholstered in a contemporary zebra pattern and classic Royal Crown Derby dinnerware. In this chic home of a family that loves entertaining, special occasions call for a special gathering place. The chandeliers make the quiet palette of browns and taupes glow.

Chandeliers ("10-light Galleria Chandelier"/Renaissance Silver): Eicher Collection by Woodland Furniture, 310/657-4630, woodlandfurniture.com

Open, Elegant Lighting

The home of former Atlanta Braves shortstop Jeff Blauser and his family is an enchanting blend of Southern elegance and down-home Southern hospitality. A multi-arm Italian chandelier hangs above the ottoman, balancing the large room without dominating it.

Chandelier ("Mansion"): Currey & Co., 877/768-6428, curreyco.com

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19th-century French Chandeliers

An old Dallas Tudor gets new life—and a new look—from a young family. A pale palette, which is consistent throughout the house, is set aglow by twin chandeliers.

See the next slide for a closer look at the chandeliers.

Chandeliers (antique, French): Vintage Living/Lisa Luby Ryan, 214/202-4348, lisalubyryan.com

Close-up: Antique French Lighting

A close-up shows the intricacies of these lovely chandeliers.

Classic Chandelier

A light-filled front foyer features direct sight lines through the house to the lake in this summer home. The clean lines of the chandelier permit ornate spiral-turned balusters and newels to have their say.

Chandelier ("Brissac" #6006): Dessin Fournir, 785/434-2777, dessinfournir.com

Bathing Beauty Chandelier

Readers went gaga over this chandelier from the master bath of a showhouse in the Hamptons. Designer Eric Cohler used the luminous fixture to set off a scheme of natural stone, with the shower, floor, and tub surround all featuring beautifully grained, polished marble tile. See the next slide for another chandelier in this showhouse.

Chandelier (“Ribbon” Chandelier/Clear): Country Gear.

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Motif Lighting

Designer Eric Cohler often uses classic motifs in his work, like this armillary chandelier used in a bedroom turned library.

Chandelier “Armillary Sphere” chandelier, Eric Cohler for Visual Comfort, circalighting.com

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Wow-Factor Chandelier

A tasseled silk orb floats above the antique Regency table in this dining room, lending it an air of mystery. Manhattan-based designer Richard Keith Langham chose it for the Hampton Designer Showhouse to set off deep Irish blue walls and white wainscoting, along with lavish citron silk curtains.

Chandelier Shade for Hanging Light, “Orb,” custom: Trans Luxe, 212/925-5863, trans-luxe.com

Opulent Lighting

A glimmering gold chandelier bejewels the sitting area of this master bedroom, the epitome of restrained elegance.

Chandelier antique: Lillian August, 203/847-1596, lillianaugust.com

Showstopping Lighting

These bee skeps-turned-fixtures by lighting designer Mark Figueredo are a roughly elegant alternative to more expected chandeliers. To create tension, they are paired with a crisply modern walnut table and early-1900s Louis XIII-style French dining chairs.

Chandelier (by Mark Figueredo): Mark Figueredo Custom Lighting, 631/329-5033.

Vintage Lighting

In this darkly elegant game room, the chandelier serves as a mood stabilizer, lightening things up.

Chandelier vintage

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Focal Point Chandelier

An elegant chandelier with a dramatic silhouette serves as a focal point for this glamorous bedroom. It is suspended over a bed dressed in taupe cotton velvet and nestled into a carved-out niche.

Chandelier Maxim #89414: Arteriors Home, 877/488-8866, arteriorshome.com

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Cheery Lighting

This chandelier—a vintage find used in designer Skip Sroka’s own home—provides pretty and functional task lighting, its colors echoing the gleaming cabinetry, range hood, and clock trim while crisply setting off the blue wall.

Chandelier vintage

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Creative Chandelier

In this showhouse dining room, designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy stuck to a budget, choosing a long inexpensive white linen tablecloth, but splurging on this look-at-me chandelier. Love it (or not?), it commands your attention!

Chandelier ("Big Bang"): Limn Co., limn.com

The showcase in this casual, classically styled dining room is the "Arcadia'' chandelier with its organic leaf design. The wrought iron creates a dramatic counterpoint to the room's subtle colors.

Chandelier "Arcadia''#9370 and #9371: Currey & Co., 678/533-1500, curreycodealers.com, trade only.

Photograph: Bruce Buck

Designer JoAnn Barwick found the room's Swedish-style chandelier in Vermont. "Every Swedish dining room has one,'' she said.

Chandelier owner's collection.

Photograph: Jessica Klewicki

The room's 10-foot high ceilings are given a more intimate feel with the weighty "Erba'' chandelier from Dessin Fournir.

Chandelier "Erba'' #6046: Dessin Fournir, 785/434-2777, trade only.

Photograph: Tria Giovan

The dining room's heirloom American Empire table and chairs have a neutral color scheme with a splash of sparkle from the chandelier and mirror.

Chandelier "Russian Chandelier'' in buffed steel finish #0494: Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only.

Photograph: Michael Luppino

In the great room, the walls and trim are a rich cream color, the reclaimed-pine floors are dark, and the platinum patina of the antique chandelier adds a sheen to the entire space.

Chandelier (antique): A. Tyner Antiques, 404/367-4484.

Photograph: Michael Luppino

The homeowner loves designer Darryl Carter's "clean palette and the absence of too much complication in his designs." The "Chisholm Hall Lantern'' echoes the spare architectural lines of the dining room without being stark.

Chandelier "Chisholm Hall Lantern'': Urban Electric Co., 843/723-8140, urbanelectricco.com, trade only.

Photograph: Gordon Beall

The ormolu-and-crystal palm-frond chandelier is a conversation piece in the dining room. The homeowner thought she was looking for something traditional in a fixture and didn't instantly take to it, but now it's her favorite piece in the house. The pineapple print on the chair and draperies elaborates on the tropical theme.

Chandelier (antique): Newel LLC, 212/758-1970, newel.com.

Photograph: Emily Minton-Redfield

The chandelier needed to be assertive to stand up to the room's bold palette of brilliant fuchsia and gold.

Chandelier "Metal Corset Chandelier'': Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, 800/592-2537, and at Baker, Knapp & Tubbs showrooms, trade only.

Photograph: Susan Gilmore

"Everything is understated. We didn't go overboard on anything. That's what pulls it all together," said architect Kenneth Rich.

Chandelier "Italian'': Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only.

Photograph: Tria Giovan

The dining room is an intimate space that makes a big statement with its spectacular ceiling treatment and dramatic chandelier.

Chandelier ("Paul Revere Lantern''): Dennis & Leen, through Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com, trade only.

Photograph: Tria Giovan

The homeowner wanted a home that made him feel like he was on vacation. The pastel palette, uncluttered lines, and 10-foot-high ceilings create an airy Caribbean ambience in the dining room.

Chandelier ("Lilli''): Moonlighting Studio, 949/650-7400, moonlightingstudio.com

Photograph: Edmund Barr

The dining room includes the homeowner's favorite piece, a reproduction crystal-and-iron chandelier that hangs from the hand-stenciled ceiling.

Chandelier ("Avignon'' #10-00692-36-12): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only.

Photograph: Colleen Duffley

White paint transformed the owner's formal crystal chandelier into a more playful appointment.

Chandelier owner's collection

Photograph: Colleen Duffley

The homeowner's goal was a seamless renovation, blending old with new to conjure up a fresh attitude for year-round living without marring the summerhouse spirit. The raffia-covered walls had been redecorated over the years with white paint. "We took them back to the original concept by choosing an updated, natural, raffia-weave wall covering,'' said designer Michael Cox. The wrought-iron chandelier added a contemporary touch.

Chandelier (custom): S&L Designs, 214/742-6417. s-ldesigns.com.

Photograph: Bruce Buck

Dining goes glam in this New York redo. The chandelier for the dining room and the metal-based table from Century were chosen to work with the apartment's new Art Moderne feel. Tufted chairs with nailhead trim introduce clean lines while remaining classic.

Chandelier ("Gala'' #LCB001XX): Frederick Cooper, 773/384-0800, frederickcooper.com, trade only.

Photograph: John Bessler

The crystal-and-iron chandelier enhances the casually elegant mood of the dining room with its table cover in lined silk and Chippendale chairs finished in matte gold.

Chandelier ("Madeleine'' #9359): Currey & Co., 678/533-1500, curreyco.com, trade only.

Photograph: Ross Chapple

The Ingo Maurer flotation chandelier adds to the light and airy ambience of the dining room.

Chandelier ("Ingo Maurer Flotation Model #2): Gary Novasel, lighting designer through Patdo Light Studio, 914/937-6707.

Photograph: Durston Saylor

A rock-crystal chandelier hangs above the antique English mahogany table, which the homeowner has paired with Mexican Chippendale chairs from the 1950s.

Chandelier (rock crystal): Nesle Inc., 212/755-0515, nesleinc.com.

Photograph: James Carrière and Werner Straube

The room offers a visual punch without relying on layers of pattern or objects. The contrast of the Louis-style chairs with the casual weathered oak floors and painted twig chandelier stirs up interest. "We topped off the room with the surprise of the edgy chandelier, said designer Kevin Spearman. "It throws the room in a more artistic direction without sacrificing comfort and approachability.''

Chandelier Wish Designs, 724/598-7793, wishdesignsusa.com.

Photograph: John Granen

The custom chandelier adds the finishing touch to the mix of Italian antiques and modern art to make the dining room both informal and inviting.

Chandelier Paul Ferrante, 323/653-4142, paulferrante.com, trade only.

Photograph: John Granen

"My idea of Nirvana is a dinner party with gourmet food and good wine in a gorgeous dining room where everyone's in T-shirts and jeans,'' said designer Tom Stringer. Not surprisingly, his dining room reflects a mix of haute style with casual comfort, combining the elegance of a crystal chandelier and precious metal-leaf wall covering from Maya Romanoff with a classroom chalkboard.

Chandelier ("Danieli''): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only.

Photograph: Werner Straube

Designer Garry Mertins replaced the dining room's original crystal fixture with the "Cascade Luminaire'' chandelier. "I wanted a chandelier in the dining room -- but something with a twist to it,' Mertins said. "When I found this one I thought it was a good modern take on a traditional chandelier." The new fixture is a curved metal bar of stainless steel with long, uneven, dangling strands of crystal beads and larger prisms.

Chandelier ("Cascade Lulminaire Chandelier'' by Todd Rugee from the Kentfield Collection): Boyd Lighting, 415/778-4300, boydlighting.com, trade only.

Photograph: Colleen Duffley

An earth-toned palette makes a pleasing backdrop to designer Darcie Bundy's collection of coral, shells, fossils, and driftwood in the dining room. The chandelier's organic twig-like design plays up the room's weathered finishes.

Chandelier Smith-Zukas Antiques, 207/646-6996.

Photograph: Gordon Beall

In keeping with the home's rustic, handcrafted architectural features, designer/homeowner Kay Douglass furnished her dining room with a long, narrow, antique table and a sculpture-like iron chandelier.

Chandelier Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com, trade only.

Photograph: William Waldron

An ivory silk Fortuny chandelier sets up the dining room's drama. "I wanted nothing ordinary in here," said designer Mary Anne Smiley.

Chandelier Odegard, 212/545-0069,odegard.com, trade only.

Photograph: Colleen Duffley

The locally crafted table is illuminated by a barrel chandelier that accentuates the room's 14-foot-high ceiling. Shells mounted in shallow boxes adorn the dining room wall.

Chandelier BoBo Intriguing Objects, 404/355-2309, bobointriguingobjects.com.

Photograph: Colleen Duffley

A chandelier in the breakfast room alludes to a global theme.

Chandelier ("Atlas Lantern'' #F-N-11): Formations, through Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com, trade only.

Photograph: Gordon Beall

The multi-arm chandelier with its amber glass shades is a nod to the lemon-gold ceiling finished in pearlized metallic paint. "I wanted to torque the room up to something edgy with movement,'' said designer Dennis Duffy of his dining room in the North Shore Jewish Community Center Showhouse, Swampscott, Massachusetts.

Chandelier ("Cosmopolitan'') by StudioMetz, 323/782-6980, trade only.

Photograph: Bruce Buck

The formality of the silk dining-room draperies and the sculptural chandelier from David Iatesta are offset by modern dining chairs and a faux-leopard rug.

Chandelier ("Venetian''): David Iatesta, 410/604-0360, davidiatesta.com.

Photograph: Gordon Beall

A Rose Tarlow chandelier adds a rustic quality to the dining room. "I like to mix in things that are rustic or raw. It makes a room more elegant and relaxed,'' said designer David L. Smith.

Chandelier ("Brass Chandelier''): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, rosetarlow.com, trade only.

Photograph: Gordon Beall