Friday, March 30, 2012

Three Tips to get a Bargain on a Crystal Chandelier


If you’re after a great deal on a crystal chandelier, consider buying a used or antique fixture.  You’ll have to do a bit of work to clean it up and maybe update the electrical wiring, but you’ll probably save a lot of money over buying a new chandelier.  Look online, at garage sales, at antique dealers and in thrift stores to find a selection of used lights.

Before you head out, do a little research so you’ll know what you’re looking at.  Crystal chandeliers vary widely in price and quality depending on when and where they were made.  A little bit of research before you leave your house can help you identify high quality, beautiful chandeliers that you may be able to get at a fraction of the retail price.  The goal is to know more about the light than the dealer, but not to share that information.

When you find a light you like, that you know is good quality, start talking to the dealer about it.  See if they have a vast knowledge of crystal chandeliers or if they just think of it as another item on the shelf.  You’re in luck if it’s the latter.  Don’t seem too eager to purchase the item.

Your starting offer on a light you really like can be as low as 70% of their asking price.  Don’t go too low, or you risk offending the owner of the store.  Don’t go too high, because you want to pay as little as possible.  The goal is to meet half way between their price and your first offer.  Looking for defects in the crystal chandeliers, such as missing crystals or finding a fixture that has been in the shop for a while are great bargaining tools.

With any luck, you should be able to get the light for less than the asking price.  It’s already discounted over a new model because it’s used, and with any luck your amazing bargaining skills will help drive the price further down, getting you your crystal chandeliers at an unbeatable price.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

HOW DO YOU CLEAN CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS


This is actually a very good question, as it is not as easy as it appears to be. Naturally how you clean your crystal chandelier depends on what kind it is. It also depends on where the chandelier is located. If it is located very high up this may cause a problem. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you are thinking of installing one. It’s also important to remember for the best results and longevity of the crystal chandelier, it is best to have a regular cleaning schedule. This will make it easy to do each time and keep it looking better.
When purchasing  crystal chandeliers it is a good idea to ask them about what is required to clean it. They will have a better idea and can also assist you on the different styles and what they all need for a cleaning. You may find that certain styles of crystal chandeliers may be easier to look after than others. There may even be times that a crystal chandelier may need more of a restoration to have it fully cleaned. Crystal chandeliers are beautiful and in order to stay that way need to be cleaned regularly and properly.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Black Crystal Chandeliers


Black crystal chandeliers are a modern twist on the classic light fixture.  The stylish chandeliers can be found in any room of the home, and the unique dark crystals are a stark contrast to what you would normally expect to find in a light fixture.

Clear crystals allow light to pass through completely.  Traditional crystal chandeliers were designed to reflect and scatter light.  Black crystals on the other hand don’t let all of the light through and in turn create a wildly different type of light distribution.

You don’t have to settle on just one color of crystal for your light fixture.  You can always replace some of the clear crystals on a traditional crystal chandelier with black crystals for a fun, unique look.  Experiment with alternating colors, or using all of one color on one tier and all black crystals on another tier.

If you’re having a hard time finding black crystals for your crystal chandeliers, try looking online.  Many times it’s easier to locate unique products like black crystals online than it is in a brick and mortar store.  Black crystals are still fairly unusual, so the odds of finding them at your local arts and crafts or home improvement store may be slim.

Monday, March 5, 2012

The East Room



The largest room in the White House, the East Room, is used for many events that take place throughout the year.  Press conferences, ceremonies, large dinners, and entertaining events have all taken place in this impressive room.  What makes the room especially grand, aside from it’s large size, is the luxurious decor.  The East Room is meant to be impressive, and it does that job especially well.

The East Room is painted in a soft, cream palate and the rooms accessories follow the same color scheme.  In stark contrast to the pale walls are the rich mahogany doors, which were installed in 1815 after the White House burned.  There are also three large Bohemian crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling at equal distances.

During the Truman administration the East Room was refurbished, and most of the ceiling panels were removed and stored.  A simpler model of crown molding was installed as well as new ceiling medallions.  During this time, the imposing crystal chandeliers were reduced in size by several inches and were fitted with internal illumination for more flattering lighting.

Not much has changed in the East Room since the Truman administration aside from a few drapery changes.  The crystal chandeliers, mahogany doors, and crown moldings all remain the same.  One thing that does change are the people that pass through the room.  Many presidents and their families have hosted events in the East Room, and many foreign dignitaries have attended functions and parties within the four walls.  The East Room is rich in history and has seen some of the most important events in history take place