11.15.2012

The Great Chandelier Swap (and the Tragedy of Disproportionate Endowment)

Have you ever read a decorating magazine only to figure out that you’re doing everything wrong?

Yeah, me neither. I mean, obviously. My threshold for redoing things in my house is 18 million and four. This is, of course, the exact number required to meet the criteria for Perfection.

But if I was temporarily imperfect, and I did, for example, read a decorating magazine and learn that a good diameter for a ceiling light is minimally the length + width of the room (especially with high ceilings, like we have in our downstairs), I would immediately see that this is true, and that boob lights are, in general, not even close to proportionate with the rest of a body room. And let me tell you, there is nothing worse than having disproportionate boobs.*

*I do not speak from experience. 

So when I was shopping for a replacement chandelier for our dining room, I tried to keep this “rule” in mind. This meant that with our dining room having a length of 16 and a width of 13, we’d need a chandelier that was at least 29” across in order to not be dwarfed in the room. Giant chandeliers, though, are not cheap. Which is the exact opposite of me. I am cheap. One thing led to another, though, and I ended up with a Groupon for Rugs USA, and got this 34”D chandelier for 65% off, bringing the total down to $90 with my Groupon.

DSC_1106No, not 34D. 34”D. There is a difference. I think.

We then sold our previous chandelier on Craigslist for $40, bringing the total to replace it with the new one to a mere $50. That works for a cheapo like me. The finish is obviously brass now, which I like in the room, but I can easily change it with spray paint like I did with this one.

DSC_1124

Now to find some curtains for this room. Am I the only one who struggles with picking out the right curtain material? Please say no. And my eye also thinks something is off with the chair seat fabric; maybe the color. What do you think? Boo picky eye.

din rm with chandelier

DSC_1110

Have you heard the length + width “rule” for ceiling lights? What design rules have you abided by or broken? Are you the proud owner of any unique physical traits? My left foot is almost an entire size larger than my right foot. This makes shoe shopping somewhat difficult.

PS-If you’re wondering whether or not I always speak openly about the Facts of Womanhood, of course the answer is NO yes. Can you find the hidden bra in this old post? And do you remember The Video I mention in this even older post?

20 comments :

  1. Anonymous11/15/2012

    I don't think there's anything wrong with the seat fabric...perhaps it's just because it's the only color in the room at the moment? I vote for some artwork along with those curtains to tie everything together! or something similarly magical. Hahaha. :)
    P. S. Best blog post title ever.

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  2. OMG i LOVE it!!! that light is awesome!!! and screw the rules! and i love the chair fabric and think it works well.
    and i have small boobs so i try to make up for it with oversized chandeliers.

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  3. Love the chandelier! It is the perfect size! I have never heard that rule, but now I want to go measure things...

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  4. That light is amazing! I love it. It's somehow traditional but still modern. I had no idea there was a rule...aren't rules meant to be broken?

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  5. I like the brash, especially since it's not that garish brass of the early 90s. It's an antiqued brass which is definitely coming back in. I love the shape and I can't believe you got it for essentially $50... CRAZY.

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  6. ValenzMom (aka Helen)11/15/2012

    I love, love, LOVE that chandelier!!!! Hang your seat fabric on the windows, then the chairs will look perfect in your dining room! How fresh and clean green and white look together. And, no, you aren't the only one who struggles with fabric choices. I get a picture in my head of what I want my room/window/furniture piece to look like, then I frustrate myself trying to achieve that look.

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  7. I never heard of these rules, but probably because I don't like to follow any rules. If you look at my house, I'm probably breaking 8 million of them haha. But that chandelier is gorgeous, and I struggle with curtain stuff too. That's why I just pick a "home decor" fabric that I like and I start sewing. :)

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  8. I've never heard this chandelier measuring theory. Somehow I've always thought it had more to do with the size of the table, not the room. Now I'm off to measure my dining room!

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  9. Love the chandelier, it's gorgeous! I can't believe you scored such a good deal on it! And I like the chair fabric, it probably just feels weird because that's the only color in there right now.

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  10. Fabulous chandelier! It makes the room.

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  11. Great find! I can't believe it only really cost you $50! I love the chair seat fabric. It just looks off right now because it's the only colour and pattern in the room. Bring some similar colour tones to your curtains and some coloured artwork to that blank wall and things will balance out!

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  12. I love the light fixture. Very nice in the space. And I really like the finish!!

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  13. Bahahaha. there is a hidden bra?
    Rules, rules, rules, I'm not very good at following them! Who knew there was one for chandeliers?!

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  14. FIFTY TINY DOLLARS for that? Love it!

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  15. I love this light. Love it.

    As for rules, Nate has a REALLY good eye so I just have him tell me if it will fit in the space. I actually listen now.

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  16. I had no clue that there was a rule about the size of chandeliers. That's a good one to know for future purchases.

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  17. I don't know rules about anything!! I really like your chandelier. I don't usually like brass/gold colored things...but they are growing on me! And now you make me want to pay more attention to groupons.

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  18. Heheahaaa... I'm not sure I've ever read one of your posts without giggling. But aside from your - I mean NOT your - disproportinate boobs.. that chandelier is uh-mazing.

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  19. Love this light fixture. It looks fantastic in your dining room. I don't see a thing wrong with the chairs. They're perfect. i think once you have the curtains and a rug you'll stop looking so hard at the chairs.

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  20. Anonymous11/23/2012

    Great lighting tip, great new chandelier, and great chair fabric! I think once you get more stuff going on in there like drapes and art, etc. it will all come together. Fun post!

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