Written by Carly Freestone | 29th January 2018
At Michael Graham we know that when you’re selling your home getting the lighting just right is key to making the rooms look their best. In a property with high ceilings, nothing makes a greater impact than a statement light in the entrance hall, and this year chandeliers are set to be centre stage.
Art Deco chandeliers are already a big trend, according to eporta.com, the online interior design marketplace, who report that chandeliers and ceiling lighting were the most searched-for items among interior designers in 2017.
The word chandelier conjures up an image of an elaborate crystal affair hanging in a ballroom or grand reception room of a stately home. Certainly, crystal chandeliers by Lalique, Baccarat or Swarovski can be priceless works of art in themselves and are synonymous with opulence and status. At the other end of the scale though, chandeliers can also be more modest lighting fixtures. A simple wrought-iron chandelier is stunning and perfect in any setting, from a cottage or a barn to a contemporary home. They draw attention to themselves without dominating a room and look especially eye-catching with candles.
Traditionally, chandeliers were hung in the centre of a room from an elaborate ceiling rose, but the move away from central light fixtures in today’s interiors make that a dated look. Consider alternative positions, especially if your home is contemporary. Off-centre or in a corner can work just as well, and don’t automatically assume that ornate crystal chandeliers will look ostentatious in a more modest property. Success to pulling off the look is all in the planning and the hanging. In a minimalist, modern interior, a crystal chandelier can fit right in and add to the room's ambience and sparkle. Chandeliers don’t have to be confined to entrance halls and drawing rooms either, the chandelier pictured here from The Conran Shop works perfectly above a dining room table. Just try to make sure you have a dimmer switch, especially with large chandeliers, and opt for opaque rather than clear bulbs for a softer glow to create that all important ambience.
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