Genesis is a crystal chandelier uniquely qualified to cheer you up – every day of the year.

The foliate framework of Genesis is inspired by the Tree of Life, an ancient and forceful symbol of creativity. This chandelier-tree bears fruit prolifically in the form of multi-colored crystal droplets. As you contemplate Genesis and lose yourself in its aura of abundance, you may feel inspired to do all sorts of new and exciting things with your life!

Rock crystal ornaments add yet another level of power and mystery to the Genesis chandelier design. You might regard the rock crystal finial sphere as symbolizing Earth, since after all it comes from the Earth and is part of the geological history of our planet. Or you might see it as a symbol of the full moon because of its mysterious markings and otherworldly sheen. I favor the full moon image myself, remembering all the poetry and romance that’s been engendered by this celestial orb.

It’s a minor point, but Genesis has charming candles. I mention them because they don’t show up very well on website images. They have an aged golden tone and faux wax drippings. This type of candle is deliciously antique in feeling.

Every detail of Genesis was lovingly considered during the stirring period of its design, which I observed with great interest.

As with any Schonbek crystal chandelier, to appreciate its liveliness and richness, you should see it in person. Why not call 800-836-1892 to ask about a showroom near you?

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
It’s always good to be careful and deliberate, and research every purchase you make. But even if you should happen to purchase a Schonbek crystal chandelier purely on impulse, you really can’t go wrong. You’ll be in possession of a chandelier from an historic company, an original design trimmed with first-quality crystal. You’ll never have a regret about the beauty or quality of your Schonbek.

And as time goes on, you’ll discover new reasons to be happy. I find that as I browse my Schonbek catalogs, I keep seeing new charms in the designs.

For example, I just looked again at a version of Hamilton that’s trimmed with rock crystal, amethyst quartz, rose quartz and Strass® crystal. I hadn’t realized before the presence of Strass® in the crystal mix.

Strass® is recognized to be the finest crystal in the world. No other crystal can rival its clarity, purity, brilliance, and no other crystal is so precisely cut and sharply faceted. Strass® crystal is a product of human creativity. Its perfection is possible because it’s machine-cut, and cut to specs of the utmost ingenuity. For the very reason that Strass® is a marvel of human engineering and technology, it forms a fascinating contrast to natural quartz.

Natural quartz is never quite perfect. Its mysterious internal markings are part of its charm, a veritable signature of Nature, a souvenir of the earliest days of the Earth. When skillfully polished, the silky surfaces of a quartz gemstone are cool and glossy.

And so, in the Hamilton crystal chandelier that I admire so much, you have the contrasts of glitter vs. gloss, perfection vs. mystery, fire vs. ice.

Humankind and Nature are all too often at war with each other. Here, in the exquisite form of this Hamilton crystal chandelier, the human and the sublime are in complete harmony.

Imagine living with such a chandelier every day, a chandelier that invites and rewards contemplation to such a degree.

If you’re interested, we have on this website a list of showrooms authorized to carry Hamilton and other Schonbek designs with rock crystal.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
If you go to the landing page for the Geometrix® collection of high tech lighting, you will see spinning chandeliers.

Perhaps it should be said somewhere that Schonbek chandeliers do not spin. Nor do Geometrix® pendants or chandeliers. The purpose of spinning them for video production is to demonstrate the lively glitter of the crystal.

By introducing movement we make up for the static situation of just putting a camera on a chandelier. In reality, after all, you’ll be moving around in the room with your chandelier or, at the very least, adjusting your position in a chair or shifting your gaze. Any movement of yours will find an instant response from your highly reflective and refractive Schonbek crystal chandelier.

The new Da Vinci™ chandeliers lit purely by LEDs add shifting colors to the mix of glittering crystal. They are truly mesmerizing and are deep into the fun factor of interior design.

Some people are adventurous, and other want nothing better than a safe and quiet existence. The wonderful thing about decorating is that you can do some rather wild things at home and still keep a low profile in the outside world, if such is your wish.

I think of it as indoor adventure. And anyone, no matter how outwardly cautious, can pursue it.