Help needed to design a chandelier

[Tom]

Does anyone want to help me in the design of a chandelier? I need something that looks big and chunky. It will hang from chains, have some form of electric lighting and be made by my blacksmith. Other than that I have no idea where to start!!! In my mind's eye, I can see the look I want to achieve but I've no idea how to get that onto paper :roll: Does anyone have any idea at all of what would look good in my house? It will be hanging from between joist numbers 6 & 7 from the left in this picture....

View attachment 2

And here are a couple more pictures of the roomView attachment 1

 

[Nigel Watts]

 

[MdB]

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=wrought+iron+chandeliers&biw=1077&bih=828

I would suggest a wheel type such as the one Nigel has posted.

 

[Nigel Watts]

And make sure the chains are strong enough for Errol Flynn to swing on.

 

[Tom]

And make sure the chains are strong enough for Errol Flynn to swing on.

:lol: Yes, I suppose sooner or later someone is bound to mention having a go at swinging from it :roll:

 

[Lime]

Thinking of the electrical side of things, I'd design it so that there were several groups of lamps able to be switched individually.
I might even have completely different lamps in the chandelier.
For instance a low consumption lamp for just enough light to walk through the room.
Or a very high output metal halide lamp to assist spring cleaning.
Or different coloured lamps for mood changes.

Even if none of those ideas appeal most large chandeliers that I have installed have had several banks of lamps to enable the overall light to be varied depending on the requirements of the room.

 

[Tom]

The cable already installed for this is connected to a dimmer switch, to enable high or low lighting. The rest of the ceiling has downlights, split into 7 different zones, all on dimmers. I also have mood lighting hidden behind the joists along each length of the room (although I've already been slated for installing 'disco' lights :roll: ). From what you've suggested I seem to have most of it covered, which is a relief for me that I haven't missed anything So, thanks for that

 

[jocelyn plummer]

A friend of mine found some old cart wheels at Newark, and made some fabulous chandeliers out of them.

 

[Tom]

What a great idea! I see I need to trawl the local shops for ideas. Thanks

 

[philpjuk100]

??

 

[Tom]

Ha-ha-ha!! To go with with my 'disco' lights? :lol: Nice one, Phil

 

[Nigel Watts]

WARNING - EXPRESSION OF TASTE COMING UP!

I think you should resist going too far down the self-consciously rustic look. It is a mistake to regard all things mediaeval as being crude - ironwork especially. Your house is really quite grand and needs something with a bit of sophistication otherwise it might end up more Fred Flintstone than Francesca da Rimini.

 

[Tom]

Ah, ok, point taken, Nigel. Thank you. So you wouldn't recommend the disco ball then? :wink:

Seriously, I like the one you posted apart from the lamp holders. They just look too fancy for me. I love the fleur-de-lys, though, and the other open design bit. I'm not sure about the colour, though, either but that could be different. I was thinking of something mostly black, maybe with some Oak somewhere. Do you think that would be OK? I really, really open to any suggestions, or citicisms, as I've little idea of how it should look and want to get it in keeping as much as possible because it will be such a big 'in your face' feature of the room!

 

[Nigel Watts]

The Arts & Crafts movement and the gothic revival came up with lots of good designs (and not so good ones) inspired by mediaeval prototypes. This is the place I would look for ideas. Wood or part-wood chandeliers don't do it for me I'm afraid. A bit too theme pub. I would stick with metal. Wood would have been a fire hazard.

 

[Tom]

I was sat gazing into the fire earlier when I really noticed the pattern on the log guard. If I had this design copied but made the top bits a bit more Fleur-de-Lys (more rounded than straight), and used this to form the main part of the chandelier (the big round bit), do you think that would look right?