Posted by
Jen Tse
Thursday, May 5, 2011 3:12 PM EDT
1stdibs.com; beachdwelling.com; housebeautiful.com
Ok so a good seven more than five, I know, but how can I limit myself to only five when discussing the chandelier? This is one kind of lamp that spells glamour, in big italic letters. Sometimes it’s an understated glamour and other times it punches, but never, ever is it overlooked — like fancy icing on a three-tiered cake. At once ornate and decorative, the chandelier serves as a focal point in any room
The modern chandelier has evolved into a simpler creature than the gargantuan versions of yore (though the romantic in me dreams they illuminate my personal dark and gloomy castle, with long oak tables and a “Rosebud”-worthy hearth). Deconstructed, today’s chandeliers no longer follow a strict form of lights and lamps, or branches and bases. They can be clean and minimal: a lone gem hanging from a strand of rope; a few wire bulbs dangling from one central point. Old habits do die hard, so some contemporary chandeliers blossom out in elaborate volume, with loops of crystals, or in hanging sheets of ornamental squares. Manufacturing materials vary. Chandeliers can now be made from the most unusual, unexpected stuff: paper, rope, coral and antler. Taking on fantastical shapes, they might assume the form of a naval ship, or simplify themselves into something shadowy, stark, black, baroque or entirely asymmetrical.
Sounds curious and curiouser? Read on for fantastic examples of every modern chandelier listed above, and many more. These 12 contemporary chandeliers bring the “ooh la la” factor to any room. Prices in USD, indicated where available.
3 SEASIDE CHANDELIERS [pictured, top of post]
Ahoy, maties! I love the worn-down, homey, textured feel of 1stdib’s (self-described) “vintage, unusual” rope chandelier. Beach Dwelling’s Bon Voyage chandelier ($2,l900), in the shape of a ship (heh: ship-shape!), is at once, novel, classic and fun. And here’s a coral-inspired chandelier that’s just so pretty — a nice, soft and cheery addition to any room.
2 PAPER CHANDELIERS
Literary types love luxurious lighting, too! Anthropologie’s high-minded chandelier ($998) offers a fresh, airy take on the traditional chandelier, fashioned from the pages of an encyclopedia. Moooi’s paper chandelier ($3,704) adopts a simpler, classic yet two-dimensional modern approach.
anthropologie.com; mattermatters.com
2 "STICKY" CHANDELIERS
Rustic yet oh-so-beautiful, Robert Couturier Inc.’s Fifth Avenue apartment hallway is punctuated with a twig and gem chandelier. Currey and Company, meanwhile, offer a simpler twig chandelier, perfect for nesting.
robertcouturier.com; curreycodealers.com
3 OFFBEAT CHANDELIERS
Almost mimicking colonnades, Pani Jurek’s creative test tube chandelier was inspired by Canadian scientist Marie Curie, the inventor of radium. The best part is that you can add flowers, coloured water or really anything, for a customized look. The exquisite gold Capiz chandelier ($499) is handmade out of shells from the Philippine province. Dripping squares of gold: a breathtaking shower of Midas’s infamous touch. Dark and slightly gothic, YLighting’s smoke chandelier ($1204) reminds me of a Picasso gouache. Masculine and strong, it certainly adds flair.
apartmenttherapy.com; zgallerie.com; ylighting.com
2 MANDELIERS
Speaking of masculine and strong, here are two industrial, streamlined versions of the chandelier -- or as Details cleverly calls them, “mandeliers.” These are a great way to bring bold strokes into your space: Crystal chandelier in steel with an LED-list crystal by Thomas Feichtner for J. & L. Lobmeyr ($4,000 per arm). SevenUp steel chandelier by Interror (approx. $688).
details.com
Next week on HGTV.ca: 11 DIY Chandelier Projects!
