Not many things can surpass the charm of a traditional
dining room, complete with a weathered wood or stone floor, beautiful glass and
timber china cabinets, and a large dining table with rich upholstered chairs,
topped by the crowning glory of a magnificent crystal chandelier.
A formal dining room occupies pride of place in the design
scheme of any mansion or large apartment. By its very definition, these rooms are
reserved for family sit-down dinners and for special occasions when their
grandeur is meant to impress any guest that walks through their portals.
The gold standard for traditional dining rooms is set by the
crystal chandelier that occupies pride of place in the design. Though crystal
chandeliers can complement most decor themes, they are especially at home in a
traditionally decorated space, adding drama and dazzle to the ambience.
Crystal chandeliers combine an aesthetic role with a modest lighting
function. By day, a crystal chandelier can stand on its own as an attractive
decorative feature with the natural light playing with the crystals. At night,
the crystal chandelier dons an entirely different, almost ethereal personality
with its glowing magical aura.
Traditional dining rooms are dimensionally
expansive with every design element in the space proportionate in scale. Sizing
the crystal chandelier is the first challenge as it will be the focal point of
the design plan, and the central character in the play of lights. Hung centered
to the dining table, the chandelier’s width should ideally be contained within
12 inches inside from the edge of the table, or not exceed two-thirds the total
width of the table. Designers always advise selecting a larger chandelier than a
smaller one. If the chandelier looks too large for the table, just hang it a
little higher than the recommended height so that it does not seemingly occupy
more visual space.
Crystal chandeliers are mostly designed in two-, three- or
four tiers with multiple arms branching in complex patterns. In addition to the
width, the chandelier’s height should also be considered while selecting a
design to ensure the right fit. Traditional dining rooms with high ceilings can
easily accommodate large and elaborate multi-tiered chandelier designs. One
only has to make sure that there is a minimum of 30 inches’ distance between
the table top and the bottom of the chandelier. Larger dining rooms can have
the chandelier hung higher without the chandelier losing its visual impact.
Style is a critical factor for crystal chandeliers in
traditional dining rooms. A crystal chandelier looks best when it complements
the home’s era and architecture. An ornate crystal chandelier, however heavy
visually will not look out of place in a traditionally-themed dining room based
on Victorian or Georgian influences. Brass, wrought iron, bronze, gold, silver and
antique finishes are highly preferred in crystal chandeliers for formal dining
rooms. Gold and bronze finishes are especially great in rooms with warm earthy
tones. Antique furniture in the dining room can be complemented by intricate chandelier
designs. While choosing the finish for your chandelier, select one that is
common to the various fixtures and fittings in the room including other lights,
door knobs, artwork frames, cabinet handles and table settings.
Among crystal chandeliers, Murano and Maria Theresa styles
are highly prized not only for their pedigree but also their dazzling beauty. Muranos
are glass crystal chandeliers made from soda crystal unlike lead crystals
typically used in conventional chandeliers.
Maria Theresa crystal chandeliers are characterized by
intricate detailing, sweeping curves, uplifted arms and multiple layers of
glass rosettes with dripping crystals and beads, creating an opulent, luxurious
ambience in the dining room.
A crystal chandelier does have a lighting function but it
cannot be the sole source of illumination in the room. Too bright, and it
becomes a source of discomfort to the people at the table. Crystal chandeliers
play a lead role in a layered lighting plan that includes wall sconces,
recessed lights, pendant lamps and track lights. A smart dimmer can be
installed to control the brightness of all the lights to create an appropriate
ambience for each occasion. In terms of the color of the light, a crystal
chandelier in a traditional dining room looks best with a gentle, warm yellow
glow, which can be provided by energy efficient LED bulbs.
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