Chandelier Woes

Hi guys!  I’m driving myself crazy trying to find a replacement chandelier for my dining room.  You may have read about how I initially chose our current chandelier (along with all the lighting for our entire house) in about two hours with a fussy two month old in tow.  Needless to say, I feel like a made a mistake in the dining room, and would prefer something lighter.

The room is still a work in progress, but here’s our current chandelier.

I originally liked the two below.

via
Size: W 28″ H 29″ L 79″
via
Dimensions: 29″W x 29″H

But then had my heart set on this one from Pottery Barn.
The problem is, as some readers pointed out, that at just 20 inches wide, it’s too short for my room.  
Based on the size of our table and room, our chandelier needs to be about 29 inches (which is the size of our current light fixture, as well as the first two).  I took some advice on chandelier sizes from this website.
It would be nice to have two chandeliers at either end of the table, but that would require electrical work we don’t want to do. 
I’ve searched high and low for something to no avail.  I like the 3rd option because of the bling factor, but I also still like the first two.
I’m going to continue looking, I’m not really in a rush, preferring to let the room evolve instead of just hurrying to “fill it”.  Hey, it’s sat almost empty for over a year, what’s another couple of months?! 🙂
But if you have something in mind, or a particular source, I’m all ears:)

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

41 Comments

  1. I am not sure if you know that the barrel shade pendant chandeliers from Ballard Design go directly into a recessed light and are not supposed to require electrical work…. At least that is how the catalog/online has the description of them…. It is meant to be quite easy… AND they are so good looking too! The only thing obviously is if you have two recessed lights? And are they spaced appropriately apart above your table?

  2. You'll find one you love! I'll keep my eyes open. You could always move in the one from your closet {hehe}

  3. Well that stinks about the Pottery Barn number! It is gorgeous! The good thing is your current chandelier isn't awful, so you can live with it (though I'm sure you'll be giving it the side eye the entire time) while you find something just right for the space. What about the Pottery Barn Celeste chandelier? That is what I am saving for. It's blingy but not too blingy and has some black to ground the room.

  4. What about the Camilla 6-arm from Pottery Barn? It's 28", so it's not exact but it's close. It's got the bling and it would tie in to the nature aspect of the Dwell drapes. Just a thought. Good luck!

  5. I think you are so smart to let the room evolve! I know so many people who rush (and even go into debt) trying to fill up their homes. I think it's more fun to choose things that you know you'll love, even if it takes time. The right chandelier will come!

  6. Actually, I really like your current chandy. . . I don't see any need to change it! To each his own. 🙂

  7. You have done a great job so far, but I would like to see some character, SOUL, in this room, everything is new, new, new – how about an antique piece? I see a beautiful antique crystal chandelier in this space. Would. Look. Amazing. You are doing the smart thing and waiting to you find the piece you love…maybe just cruise some good antique shops in you area. Just to take a look. 🙂

  8. The drums are lovely and I do like them but I think your room calls for a litle more "POWWW!!" Good luck in your hunt. It ca be frustrated but yet so fun
    Maureen

  9. I don't mind the current on either but would like to see it with more transitional shades and perhaps sprayed or silver leafed. I find that between the wainscoting , the mirror, rug, and table, there are a lot of very linear shapes and the light that you have softens it all and ties in really well with your drapes. I'm certain that if it was a different finish you wouldn't find it so harsh or formal. Maybe a diy project while you continue to search for the perfect one 😉

  10. You should try Currey or Visual Comfort. You can probably go to their website and call them to find the nearest dealer/retailer to you. They both have beautiful lighting.

    Or Shadesoflight.com

    🙂 Erin

  11. Oooh, I'm loving all these suggestions too! I ordered one from OKL, but not sold on it. Why is lighting so hard?!

    And actually, having new wiring done for two lights isn't a big deal, or very expensive. You already have that great guy that moved your switches for you, right?

  12. I love the Pottery Barn chandelier. Surely, there's a similar one out there somewhere that's the right size. Good luck!

  13. I love your blog! My taste is similar to yours! In fact we have changed every light fixture in the downstairs area of my home after 2 years of living in it.

    I have this one from Pottery Barn in my dining room. It looks great. The only thing is you have to screw every single crystal in…big pain!
    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/camilla-6-arm-chandelier/?pkey=cchandeliers

    We also just put 2 of these above our island in our kitchen.
    http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1619186&categoryId=cat1701013

    Excited to see what you choose!

  14. I hate waiting, I definitely just want to get something now! But, usually I make myself pull back and it's always worth it once you find the perfect piece!

    heyhomeslice.blogspot.com

  15. Ok, so I have never actually commented on anyone's blogs, photos etc before but feel compelled to with yours bc I not only have the same camden table from rh, but have been also driving myself and my poor husband up a wall trying to find a new chandelier for almost a year!

    If you still have not found one I will share my final few choices in case it helps. visual comfort eric cohler venetian 9 light chandeler and currey & co small crystal lights chandelier. the drum shades tended to be a little too heavy above our table being that it is so massive. But, if you still love the drum shade idea…Troy lighting's Sausalito 5 light chandelier is so beautiful and made really well! All of these lights you can get from a local lighting dealer and keep in mind that you can get them for a lot less than pricing even online.

    Also, as another side note…the clarissa chandelier from pb is also beautiful and i have the small one in my foyer and we would have actually considered it for the droom, but it hangs from a pole and not a chain which wasn't a look we were going for. If that doesn't bother you though aside from being a huge pain to put the crystals on, it is really beautiful too!

    ok, now that i have written you a book….good luck in your decision and post a pic when you have made your choice!

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