Thursday, October 4, 2007

Most people save for the future. I believe in spending for the future. In terms of lifestyle, this means filling your house with crystal chandeliers while your earnings are peak, against a time when your income may be far less.

Investment advisors suggest planning for this future period of reduced income by accumulating lots of great investments. That seems wise. But my thought is that a beautifully furnished home with all structural flaws and plumbing problems fixed, and a solid roof overhead, is one of the very best investments you can make.

If your tastes are traditional, this simplifies your redecorating endeavors. Classic crystal chandeliers never go out of style. You could acquire a new chandelier every year for ten years, and in twenty or thirty years your décor will still be the envy of all your friends.

The tricky part is that you probably want to be a bit daring in your choice of crystal chandeliers, even if your bent is traditional. Also you want to be very careful that you’re getting good workmanship and the best possible grade of crystal. Going with Schonbek will assure you of quality, and also opens up a lot of design possibilities.

If I were buying crystal chandeliers like stocks and bonds, starting today, I’d choose a couple of classics like Versailles and La Scala. You can’t go wrong with an extravagant indulgence in baroque styling. These chandeliers will work in either a traditional or eclectic environment, as long as there’s a feeling of luxuriousness about the room.

To be a bit audacious, I’d devote one room to brilliant colors that work with black, and I’d go for a Hamilton in all black crystal. 

I’d have a field day choosing mini chandeliers for bathrooms, hallways and small guest rooms.

Consider this investment path, and you can look forward to a dazzling retirement surrounded by crystal chandeliers.

Stock market prices may fall and mutual funds may flounder, but there's no arguing with Keats: A thing of beauty is a  joy forever.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Some people want to live an environment with no distractions, no frills, no chachkes. But minimalism carried to extremes can create a realm without resonance. That’s where Geometrix® lighting can help.

We have a new home page showing a dining area with a Refrax™ wave chandelier and complementary wall sconces.

I’m very fond of a certain level of cozy clutter personally, yet this space really appeals to me. Of course it’s highly stylized. There must be some old boots in a corner somewhere off camera, or a pile of old magazines.  But reality aside, it’s a pleasure to contemplate this setting and enjoy its mysterious spaciousness.

Try covering the crystal chandelier and sconces, however, and see how bleak the situation then becomes. Lighting is the essential element here. The brilliance and purity of the crystal brings the whole room to life and makes its severe minimalism exciting.

The dining table is quite fun, made of a pile of recycled tires with a slab of thick glass for a tabletop. Call it found art. We had a designer conceive and  create it. Putting old tires and a high end crystal chandelier in the same room takes some daring, but Geometrix® designs encourage people to do the unexpected.

I’ve always been fascinating by the Refrax™ wave chandelier. It looks like it’s swimming through the room, and inviting you to drift along with it to unknown destinations, perhaps outside our solar system. A journey I'd love to make, if I could get back.

We have a lot of photos and videos of Geometrix®  crystal chandeliers, pendants and so forth on this website, but do consider a trip to a Geometrix® dealer for a real experience of the power of these designs.

Monday, October 1, 2007

No doubt many bloggers today are writing “I can’t believe it’s October!”

If you intend to beautify your home for the holidays, October first is none too soon to consider a crystal chandelier.

Most remodeling projects take months, if not years. But if nothing needs to be torn up and rebuilt, you can achieve great things in time for Thanksgiving dinner. However it will really help if you make your focal point a crystal chandelier. Then you’re guaranteed the wow factor. A little painting or papering, a change of artwork on the walls, perhaps a new carpet – and you’ve got a whole new room.

I personally believe in decorating for oneself, not for occasions or visitors. But on the other hand, an influx of visitors for an occasion does give you a deadline.

And visitors have a way of wandering all over the house. You can’t keep them out of your husband’s messy study or the somewhat seedy bathroom on the third floor. They will open that door sometime, if it’s not locked. So visitors are an incentive to clean up and improve neglected spaces in the home. Small rooms can benefit immensely from the installation of a mini crystal chandelier. This is a quick fix that you’ll be happy about forever after.

Anyway, if you’re serious or semi-serious about that crystal chandelier, make an effort to visit a lighting showroom soon. Preferably a big one well stocked with Schonbek crystal chandeliers. Call Schonbek at 800-836-1892 if you’re in any doubt where to go. If visiting this wonderful lighting showroom involves driving for two hours or jumping on a plane, it’s worth it. Seeing a varied display of Schonbek crystal chandeliers in person is thrilling on many levels. All that crystal shimmering and glimmering. And so many styles to spark design ideas.

Allow lots of time for browsing, pondering – and examining crystal and finish samples.