CHANDELIERS
The chandeliers in Rupert and Dagmar’s chateau add splendour. Liz Denton from Denton Antiques shares her tips for choosing a design for your home
The task of hunting for an antique chandelier can be a rather overwhelming prospect. And with good reason. The scope of styles available, their large scale and the fact that they are undoubtedly investment pieces, make shopping for a design no easy feat. Thankfully, Liz Denton has this advice for us: Before you start shopping, have your ceiling point checked by an electrician or structural engineer to ensure that it’s strong enough to hold a potentially large and heavy light. Remember to take note of the ceiling height in the room where the chandelier will be. I recommend leaving around 2m between the lowest point of the chandelier and the !oor. This is to ensure that there’s adequate space to walk underneath.
Think about placement. For instance, some chandeliers are designed to be viewed from above, so will suit stairways, where they can be admired from many angles. When it comes to design, there are key things to think
about: size, material (those made entirely from glass give a more feminine feel, while gilded styles are stronger and more masculine) and its aesthetic appeal – does it have beautiful proportions? Trust your judgement. Consider all styles. Most people tend to envisage a classic 19th- century baluster stemmed design (le") but basket (which extend down in a tear- drop shape) or cage designs (with more elaborate central stems) can create a more individual look. Age isn’t important. Don’t get hung up on which era is the most suitable for your home – 19th and 20th- century designs o"en replicated 18thcentury styles. Be wary of hidden costs. Look out for extra fees involved with wiring, replacing the ceiling plate and chains, and also for hiring a professional to #t the chandelier in your chosen room.