Every time I go to the V&A Museum in London I always spend a little time gazing up at the extravagant chandelier in their grand entrance. The ‘Rotunda’ Chandelier made and designed by Dale Chihuly in 2001 is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship and artistry, you can observe it in a hundred different ways and still not see all the intricate detailing the piece has to offer.
‘Rotunda Chandelier’ at the V&A Museum
Though it’s probably a safe enough to bet that most of us couldn’t really accommodate such an elaborate and outlandish decorative piece in our own homes, there’s something to be said for investing in a showstopper of a light, and in particular a chandelier. Often, when the mind thinks of a chandelier we think of the beautiful, classic chandelier that grace to entrance halls of stately homes and mansions, but in today’s world of interior design there are so many contemporary and alternative versions of the classic design that it’ll make your mind race with possibilities. I’ve found a few of my favourite contemporary chandeliers that are truly irresistible.
‘Mud Beaded Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern
These beaded chandeliers have kept the classic chandelier shape but swapped out crystals for beads, a real contemporary take on a classic. The draping and styling of the beads creates a beautiful, elegant design, combining extravagance and humility which is perfect for those who are big on style but want to refrain from being overzealous. Instead of the usual twinkling of crystal, the finish on this design is somewhat muted, giving the piece a day-to-day accessibility that more traditional designs lack. Its style makes it the ideal component if you want to add a little glamour to an understated interior scheme.
‘Silicate Chandelier’ from Baker
This stunning piece from Baker reminds me of a multitude of things, from a feathery waterfall to a vintage 1920s ballroom. The soft layering of the glazed pieces of glass mixed with the gold chains that they dangle from is a modern approach, creating beauty out of structural elements and producing a playful nature between hard and soft textures that gives the overall design a gorgeous flair.
‘Neo Baroque Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern
This Neo Baroque chandelier packs quite a punch. Definitely not for the faint hearted, it’s fusion between the antique world and the futuristic makes for the ultimate statement piece. Its structure has a ghostly element to it, which works perfectly with the neo-gothic design. Despite the sense of grandeur that accompanies the design, the chandelier could be worked into smaller spaces. The translucency of the design means that your room won’t be bombarded by the piece, and will actually sit rather elegantly and subtly.
To take things down a notch or two, if big and bold isn’t your thing, there are plenty of understated, chandelier inspired designs out there that go easy on the drama but still maintain the overall sense of splendour and grace.
‘Aster Chandelier’ from Copper & Silk
This contemporary design gives a comparatively minimalist alternative to the other chandeliers. Its circular design has an assertiveness to it without being over dominant, enabling you to happily have a few situated in a room without it looking excessive. The curved glass and the whole look of the piece has a hint of a retro feel, but there is a contemporariness to the design that brings these vintage motifs into the 21st Century.
‘Contardi Kubric Chandelier’ from Interior Supply
For a completely contemporary remake of the traditional chandelier, something like this piece from Interior Supply is a marvel. The reflectiveness of the spherical shades is a modern take on the flickering light the crystal from traditional designs would produce. The design is slick, contemporary and stylish, the perfect companion for an architecturally innovative home.
If all the talk of crystal chandeliers has made you nostalgic, a little tradition can always be thrown into the mix. This design, again from Interior Supply, mixes together the best of both worlds, the traditional with the modern. A fresh oval structure, made from satin nickel with the inclusion of crystal beading allows for all the traditional glamour without the domineering nature of a traditional design.
‘Cattelan Italia Cristal’ from Interior Supply
Finally, for the ultimate investment piece that follows the same breath-taking nature that the traditional grand chandeliers would have had, a head-to-toe chainmail covered piece that is full of style and grace. There’s a certain allure that comes with using a single material, here the chainmail replaces crystal but still remembers the same grandeur and elegance of its ancestors, only with a modern twist. The effect created by the texture of the chainmail is truly marvellous and completely conquers the purpose of a chandelier.
‘Chainmail Chandelier’ from Ochre
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