Chandelier Songs Mixtape: Vol. II
Continuing our collection of chandelier songs from last week, here’s a few more of our favorite songs about crystal chandeliers. These songs are a bit more recent, dating back from the early 2000s to just last last year.
- Cloud Cult: Chandeliers (2004): The Minneapolis-based pop collective Cloud Cult is known for their interesting arrangements and “Chandeliers,” from their 2004 LP Aurora Borealis, is no exception. It’s an anxiety-tinged love song that also features a piano and cello but builds to a stirring crescendo during the catchy refrain.
- Deerhoof: Chandelier Searchlight (2008): Like most songs from the San Francisco art rock quartet Deerhoof, we’re not really sure what “Chandelier Searchlight” is actually about, but we do like the image of a crystal chandelier searchlight, and the song is atypically sweet and simple from a band that can occasionally be anything but.
- Action Bronson: Rare Chandeliers (2012): Over a sample of a 1974 track by the Polish rock group Budka Suflera, Queens-born MC Action Bronson lets lose his signature stream of consciousness rhymes in this cut from the 2012 mixtape of the same name, but it’s the hook that caught our attention. In it, disparate snippets of dialogue can be heard describing various chandeliers–and rare ones at that, we can only assume.
Permalink | Tags: crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers, music | Posted in Crystal Chandeliers | No Comments
The Chandelier Songs Mixtape: Vol. I
At Kingdom Lighting, we love crystal chandeliers, but we’re not the only ones. Who else loves chandeliers as much as we do? Some of our favorite pop musicians who have gone so far as to write songs mentioning our preferred lighting fixtures by name. Here’s a couple to give you an idea.
- Johnny Cash: Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy (1974): Johnny Cash’s ode to the boxcar-jumping drifter lifestyle describes a man who has nothing but his visions of a life of luxury in this track from 1974′s Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me. For him, nothing could be more opulent than a crystal chandelier and bottle of burgundy. We’re not here to disagree.
- Braid: The Chandelier Swing (1996): Braid only released three albums in their initial ’90s run, their hardcore debut, their more pop-oriented swan song and 1996′s The Age of Octeen, which meshed the two seemingly polar opposite styles together to create arguably their greatest work. The penultimate track, “The Chandelier Swing,” was one of the quieter and prettier songs on the album, even though it came from Braid’s more hardcore-minded guitarist/vocalist Chris Broach. It remains a live staple at the reunited band’s recent shows.
- David Dondero: The Stars Are my Chandelier (2003): Technically, the Minnesotan singer-songwriter is describing his lack of a chandelier, but we’re still counting this road-weary folk ballad from his 2003 LP The Transient because we’re fans.
Permalink | Tags: crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers, music | Posted in Crystal Chandeliers | No Comments
What’s the Largest Chandelier in the World?
From first glance, crystal chandeliers are meant to be inherently spectacular with their reflective surfaces and grandiose designs. But consider how opulent the largest chandelier in the world must look. How big is the world’s largest chandelier? Well, as with many world records, there is some dispute as to which is truly the largest. Guinness World Records, long considered the standard in measuring the world’s largest, smallest, longest and fattest things, claims the world’s largest chandelier is “Reflective Flow,” a chandelier found in the Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co. building in Doha, Qatar. “Reflective Flow” consists of 165,000 LED lights, measures 19 feet in height, 41 feet in width and 126 feet in linear length. It took two years to complete and the resulting structure weighs 39,683 lbs.
However, Guinness records are often disputed, and it usually takes a while for the organization to recognize broken records. As such, the Jumeirah Group, a hotelier based in Dubai, claims the crystal chandelier in their Jumeriah Bilag Beach Hotel in Azerbaijan is truly the world’s largest. They may have a point: While their chandelier includes only a scant 72,000 lights, it hangs from the top of the hotel and extends down all 18 floors to the lobby. While “Reflective Flow” has it beat on length, the Jumeriah chandelier is undoubtedly taller and, perhaps, larger overall.
Permalink | Tags: crystal chandeliers, largest chandelier, lighting design, modern chandeliers, room design | Posted in Chandeliers | No Comments
Designing Your Home Around Your Chandelier
Given the grandeur of their design, crystal chandeliers are fully capable of carrying the design of an entire room on its shoulders. One could hang a brand new chandelier and almost call it a day with decorating. The only question is which look to go for. The interesting thing is that most people go about this in entirely the wrong manner. While they might end up with a room they enjoy, they could have ended up with a room they are in love with. It is not nearly as backwards as it sounds.
Most people survey their rooms, take note of the décor and then go searching for a Maria Theresa chandelier that fits the decorating scheme. While this certainly makes sense, reversing the order can have a profound effect on the look of your home. By starting with a grand chandelier that you love and building the room around it, you are almost guaranteed to end up with a room that is practically dripping with sophistication, class and beauty. By building the room around a crystal chandelier, you are starting from a jumping off point of beauty. And when you start with beauty, you usually end up with beauty. It is a relatively simple decorating equation.
The next time you are planning a redecorating adventure, browse online for the perfect chandelier. We promise you will not be disappointed.
Permalink | Tags: Chandeliers, crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers, room design | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Keep Your Crystal Chandelier Shining Through the Years
People invest in crystal chandeliers for their absolute beauty. The cascading crystals create an immediate atmosphere of splendor and elegance. A well-built crystal chandelier can stay in working condition for 10 years or more, depending on the amount of care you put into its upkeep. Since dirt and grime will be immediately evident, a regular cleaning is absolutely crucial to keep your Maria Theresa chandelier sparkling. Thankfully, cleaning your crystal chandelier is not as arduous as you might imagine.
Tips for Cleaning Your Crystal Chandelier:
- Mix one part isopropyl alcohol with three parts water and pour into a spray bottle.
- Turn off the circuit breaker that provides power to your chandelier and remove any light bulbs that are screwed into the chandelier.
- Spray a microcloth or soft cotton glove with the cleaning solution. Keep a dry one handy as well. With the wet cloth, carefully clean one crystal at a time. Then use the dry cloth to polish the same crystal. Repeat this process until all of the crystals have been cleaned.
- Dust the frame of the chandelier with the dry cloth. Do not use the cleaning solution on any of the hardware; this will cause damage.
- Dust the light bulbs before returning them to the chandelier.
- Turn on the power and admire your handiwork!
Repeat every month or so to keep the cleaning process painless and your chandelier looking spectacular.
Permalink | Tags: Chandeliers, crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers, lighting design, maria theresa chandeliers | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Eco-Friendly Chandeliers
While the splendor of a full-sized Maria Theresa crystal chandelier cannot be dismissed, more and more people are trying to turn their homes and offices into eco-friendly machines. While, at first, it might seem like the two cannot mix, this is not actually the case. The new generation of designers seem to be making it their personal mission in life to turn recycled items into everything from bookshelves to blankets.
Sure, some of these attempts are misguided and end up being novelties instead of practical pieces, but some really do astound us. Whether or not you choose to deviate slightly from the traditional crystal chandelier and go the eco-route, checking these creations out is well worth your time.
Our current favorite eco-designer is Krystal O’Mara. Her ReMain Eco Designs brand is dedicated to taking the things you would least expect to see as a chandelier and turning them into gorgeous, functional works of lighting art. Her ReCycled Chandelier might not be made of crystal, but it sends a clear message that you care about this planet of ours and appreciate off-the-beaten-path décor. The chandelier is made with vintage bike rims and represents the history of things left behind and the modern world of reuse. The chandelier sells as is, or O’Mara is also willing to create a personalized one for your home.
This is a designer to watch for sure!
Permalink | Tags: antique brass chandelier, Chandeliers, contemporary lighting, crystal chandeliers, discount chandeliers, krystal omara, maria theresa chandeliers, recycled chandeliers | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Edible Chandeliers You Will Never Believe
While the chances of this new do-it-yourself trend overtaking the position of the crystal chandelier as the lighting fixture of choice for most homes, the latest lighting trend we have been made aware of is edible chandeliers. Before you scoff, take a look. With ambitious folks making chandeliers out of everything from Peep candy to Gummi Bears and baby food jars, there is something to satisfy even the ficklest of taste buds. Clearly if you have serious lighting needs, a Maria Theresa chandelier is the way to go. But if you want something a little quirky, here are a few of our favorites.
Edible Chandeliers We Love:
- Peep Chandelier: Not ready to let Easter go? Have an overload of Peep candies? Want to shock your husband? This Peep chandelier is made from nothing other than wood, twine and Peep candy. While it is not likely to meet all of your lighting needs, it does make an adorable statement that will be talked about for years to come.
- Gummi Bear Chandelier: Disclaimer: You will need 3,000 gummi bears for this project. This is an undertaking for the committed. But, the end result is simply incredible!
- Baby Food Jar Chandelier: This is, by far, the most practical of the bunch. Emptied and cleaned baby food jars are turned upside down to create a lighting effect that is far more elegant than the name would imply.
Decide for yourself, but we are totally smitten!
Permalink | Tags: antique brass chandelier, Chandeliers, crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Romance in the Hallway
Far too often, your home’s hallways are sadly neglected when it comes to décor. The status quo overhead lighting that most settle on for their hallways, often without even thinking about it, does nothing for the overall aesthetic of the passageway. The problem is not that homeowners do not care about the look of their hallways. The problem, often, is they think they are without options.
Sure, it is unlikely that you can hang a full-sized Maria Theresa chandelier in your hallway. Even if it fit, the resulting look would be a little cramped. But, this is no excuse to let your hallway linger in lighting purgatory.
Add a touch of romance to your hallway with Kingdom Lighting’s candle wall sconces. These decorative lighting pieces are just as visually appealing as any crystal chandelier and infuse your passageways with a feeling of romance, elegance and splendor. As a general rule of thumb, candle wall sconces should be placed approximately two feet apart for the length of the hallway. This will ensure that there is just enough light for guests, but not so much light that the hallway starts to take on that all too familiar clinical look.
Browse our selection of wall sconces today for some ideas and then start getting a little romantic with your hallways.
Permalink | Tags: antique brass chandelier, Chandeliers, contemporary lighting, crystal chandeliers, room design, wall sconces | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Go Green with Chandeliers
People are starting to grasp the idea that our planet is not one giant renewable resource. Our planet needs our cooperation in keeping itself green, abundant and able to sustain life. Thanks to this new resolve to keep our planet green and gorgeous, everything from roofing to cars has “gone green.” Crystal chandeliers and the lighting world are no exception.
While installing a gorgeous Maria Theresa chandelier in your dining room hardly comes to mind as a particularly “green” action, there is plenty you can do to turn that stunning piece of lighting into something that will keep the Earth shining for at least another thousand years.
First, use energy-saving bulbs instead of the more traditional versions. If you shop around and do your homework, you can find brands that use up to half as much electricity.
Second, install a dimmer switch instead of the traditional on/off option. Using a dimmed setting uses less energy and creates an ambiance that simply can’t be beat. If you think about it, none of us really need to be operating under 120 watts of concentrated light anyway.
Lastly, turn it off when you leave the room. Your mom has probably been telling you this since you were a child, but it is so effective! The simple act of turning the lights off as you leave a room will save you tons of money and add a few years onto the planet’s lifespan.
Going green with your crystal chandeliers is easy!
Permalink | Tags: Chandeliers, contemporary lighting, crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers, dinning lighting, maria theresa chandeliers, room design | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
Go Vintage with Your Lighting
The days of antiquing being left to eccentric or elderly have passed. These days, everyone from young hipsters living in Brooklyn to housewives in Los Angeles has gotten on board with the idea of vintage. Suddenly, everything from chinaware to denim is being antiqued for a new (or, old) look. There is no reason why the trend should not be adapted to crystal chandeliers as well.
After all, while they were certainly not draped in crystals and gold the way some of today’s Maria Theresa chandeliers are, the lighting fixtures of yesteryear were equally spectacular in their own right. This fact owes much to the inherent charm of iron, brass, chrome and the general rustic aesthetic that permeated the time. Timeless classics in literature like Jane Eyre and Little Women, along with the latest cultural phenomenon of Downton Abbey, have conspired to create a nation that lusts after styles gone by.
Kingdom Lighting has an extensive selection of iron and brass chandeliers to choose from. Or, if you already own a gorgeous chandelier and are hesitant to purchase a new piece, you can check out our post from a couple weeks ago to learn how to antique your own chandelier. Online sources such as eHow and HGTV are also excellent resources. Or visit Houzz.com for some truly amazing designs like the one shown here.
Regardless of the course you take, this is not a trend to miss out on!
Permalink | Tags: antique brass chandelier, antique chandelier, brass chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, home design, room design | Posted in Chandeliers, Crystal Chandeliers, Maria Theresa Chandeliers | No Comments
