Friday, October 20, 2006
A few years ago, when I had more leisure and took more vacations, I used to plan trips around going to see certain paintings. For a while I was in pursuit of Vermeers, and during another phase, works by Piero della Francesca.

In my travels I saw many magnificent examples of historic crystal chandeliers, most notably in national galleries and palaces converted into museums. I wish I had paid more attention at the time to those amazing chandeliers. Now, of course, I always notice the crystal chandeliers in galleries and always check out the rooms with period furniture, since crystal chandeliers generally appear there, often wonderful ones with rock crystal ornaments.

But it occurred to me that, if I had more leisure, it would be fun to plan a trip to see Schonbek crystal chandeliers in famous places and resorts around the world.

My first excursion would be to Amsterdam. I’d love to see the custom-made seventeenth-century-style crystal chandeliers in Amsterdam’s famous Concert Hall. Of course I’d attend a concert, and during the intermissions I’d wander around the historic hallways and stairways, admiring the magnificent Schonbek chandeliers with their extra-thick crystal cut in the antique fashion. The Queen of Holland might be in attendance, too, but I’d hope not. Then I could see the elegant balcony foyer with yet more Schonbek crystal chandeliers. This area is not open to the public when the Queen is present.

I’d take some trips in the U.S.A., too. First a jaunt to Pennsylvania to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa. I remember researching this project and learning about their $44 million art collection. That would be fun to see. So would the plethora of Olde World crystal chandeliers by Schonbek. I like the idea of sleeping in a room lighted by a glass-arm chandelier that was considered the height of fashion in nineteenth-century Bohemia.

Although I’m not into gambling, it would be hard to resist a trip to Paris Las Vegas to see the Las Vegas version of the Hall of Mirrors, and the enormous Maria Theresa crystal chandeliers by Schonbek. This project renewed Schonbek’s interest in this historic style, and now you can get Maria Theresa chandeliers made by Schonbek in sizes appropriate for an ordinary home. Schonbek has imparted an almost lyrical quality to this rather complex style of chandelier.

I’ve never been to Hawaii, and always wanted to, so the Sheraton Waikiki would definitely be on my list of destinations. The Schonbek chandelier in the ballroom looks like a giant hibiscus flower. It can be programmed to offer a lightshow. I’d hope to see one while I was there.

Cancun is another idea for my unusual itinerary. The Grupo UltraFemme Mall Boutique has a unique crystal chandelier surrounding a monumental pillar in jewelry store, and an Empire style crystal chandelier by the escalator. Maybe I’d shop a little after admiring the chandeliers.

So if you’re looking for unusual vacation ideas, you might consider being influenced by the crystal chandeliers on your path. Not a bad way to see some interesting places.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Eileen said to me today, “What’s happened to time?” Being a Schonbek family member in charge of multiple endeavors at Schonbek, she’s naturally very busy.

We were going through Schonbek catalogs, picking out crystal chandeliers that would be appropriate for yachts, in answer to a request from an editor. On the high seas, you obviously need crystal chandeliers and sconces that are rigid and won’t jump around with every wave. There are good examples in the Rivendell and Trilliane collections.

But getting back to the time question, I also feel that time is out of control. Sometimes I want to sit in the park and watch every leaf fall, just to slow things down.

You can do the same thing, of course, with a crystal chandelier. Contemplate the fiery dance of the crystal and notice how time stands still.

I spent last weekend doing absolutely nothing productive for a change, and it was great. There was plenty of time for idle conversation, chandelier contemplation, book reading and bird watching out the back window. At times like these, you can really appreciate the investment you’ve made over the years in comfortable sofas, good books, bird feeders, and of course crystal chandeliers.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

More than anything else, your lamps tell the world how long it’s been since you updated your furnishings.

This is not true of crystal chandeliers, because a chandelier that looked gorgeous and stylish a century or two ago can still look gorgeous and stylish today. Crystal chandeliers have that timeless quality. And now they are newly fashionable again, which tends to happen quite often as one romance-starved generation after another re-discovers them.

But lamps are another story. Big bourgeois lamps with bulbous white shades, lamps made out of unfortunate pottery, lamps trying to look like Chinese lanterns, all of these are hopelessly outdated and will probably never make a comeback.

There’s a design revolution in lamps that has changed our expectations forever. And it’s my personal belief that it began with Schonbek’s entry into the category. Schonbek stirred things up, as they tend to do when they introduce new collections.

Essentially Schonbek took the stance that a lamp ought to be as thrillingly rich in its materials and as personable in its styling as a crystal chandelier. I feel it’s okay to blog about lamps on the Crystal Chandelier Blog because Schonbek lamps have so much in common with crystal chandeliers.

  First of all, Schonbek composes its lamps of fine crystal, all types of crystal, including handcut crystal, optic crystal, rock crystal and other semi-precious gemstones. The relationship to crystal chandeliers is obvious in this essential make-up.

Then there’s the visual impact of a Schonbek lamp. When you install a crystal chandelier, you have to be willing to live with the attention it will get.   Only the dullest people (and possibly envious people) will fail to comment on your chandelier. Now, if you decide to buy a Schonbek crystal lamp, you’re in for the same sort of thing. People will notice that lamp and ask you about it.

Recently I learned an interesting fact about Schonbek lamps. I always knew that every shade was an original design, like the overall lamp itself. But I just found out that Schonbek shades are hand made. This makes perfect sense, of course. The shapes are so unusual, the trims are often quite complex, and the materials are so opulent.