Thursday, December 27, 2007

What is it about the phrase, “Mix it up,” that’s so appealing? You come across it everywhere, from ad campaigns to music events. It sounds very free, very creative.

You can also mix it up with crystal chandeliers, in more than one sense.

Schonbek has been doing this for ages. I remember Andrew Schonbek telling me that Schonbek designs are originals, not “slavish reproductions.” What Schonbek loves to do is capture the spirit of the past, which might actually be a more authentic approach than merely copying antiques, because the past comes alive in the present. This is achieved by mixing it up. A traditional Schonbek crystal chandelier might be influenced by classic design motifs from more than one era or culture.

When you think about it, artists have always done this. Renaissance artists were influenced by ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, and of course they mixed it up with their own iconography.

Another sense of mixing it up relates to crystal. Schonbek is a master at this. For example, mixing together classic clear crystal, rock crystal and colored crystal. See Renaissance with this unusual crystal trim, one of my favorites. Mixing together different types of crystal and quartzes is not a simple matter. Natural quartzes are heavy, dominant, not lively in the manner of classic cut crystal. So there has to be lots of experimentation to get a pleasing balance of glitz and glow. This rendition of Renaissance achieves perfect harmony with crystal types that have a very different energy.

An extreme example of mixing it up with crystal is The Rose. Inspired by Nature’s own roses, this crystal chandelier is a wild thing. There are fascinating crystal shapes that I call elongated raindrops, sometimes with crystal leaves clinging to them. Depending on the color palette you choose, the drops may be glossy opal crystal, transparent colored crystal, clear crystal or a mixture of these. Festoons of faceted crystal jewelry beads and a peppering of crystal droplets and octagons contribute to the mood of exuberance. Meanwhile tiny rose sculptures are unfurling here and there on the frame. The finial is a luscious crystal pear. Despite the complexity of this design, it feels as right as Romeo and Juliet. Only Schonbek could have carried it off, in my opinion.

So Schonbek mixes it up, and you in turn should feel free to mix it up. In a room full of delicious surprises, the crystal chandelier can be the most surprising element of all.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Whenever you see a movie that shows the White House or Congress, you’re going to see lots of crystal chandeliers. I’m thinking of the movie I saw over the holiday weekend. Actually, statehouses all across the nation are full of crystal chandeliers, too.

There is Schonbek crystal hanging in the White House. This goes back to the days of the old Schonbek family glassworks in Bohemia. At that time the Schonbeks were engaged in making fine crystal, but not crystal chandeliers. It was Adolf Schonbek who got into the crystal chandelier business in 1870, breaking with the original family business to make his own way in the world. He was only twenty-four years old.

Adolf had good business instincts. He must have noticed the popularity of crystal chandeliers among royalty and other nineteenth-century celebrities.

Crystal chandeliers are almost de rigueur in the edifices where rulers rule and lawmakers ponder their laws. Why is this? The obvious answer is that any government wants to awe its subjects with symbols of power and prestige. But I think there may be a deeper answer, too. Running countries and states involves a lot of responsibility. Leaders need to have their confidence bolstered, and beautiful surroundings soothe the nerves of those in authority.

Even at the level of the ordinary homeowner, this is true. You have your own burdens, and a beautiful home is a comfort beyond price. It helps you cope with company, and when the company leaves, it’s a refuge.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great time to rethink your décor. A lot of people take time off, and a lot of stores have sales. If you suspect that a crystal chandelier might gladden your home life, why not plan a little shopping outing, and visit a lighting showroom with a large display of Schonbek designs?