Chandeliers have been part of home décor for centuries. From the beautiful candle chandeliers to the more modern electric chandeliers there are so many beautiful styles. In fact the chandelier lamp shades are what give the chandelier its appeal.
1. Mission
If you have a mission style chandelier such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Tiffany chandelier or the Sante Fe chandelier you'll discover they are adorned with stunning art glass shades that are intricately detailed with vibrant colors.
The Rockledge, Mackintosh, and Hudson have a stained glass style shade with panels of glass. Simply exquisite! Shade shapes vary according to the particular model but all add the finishing touch to the fixture.
The Ambrato, Madison, and Chicago chandeliers have a more modern mission flare to them with shades that are done in soft satin glass in a pinks, yellows, and creams.
2. Art Deco
Art deco chandeliers offer some fabulous styles that are unique and fun with wonderful architecture lines in the fixtures and fabulous styling in the shades.
Delray, Lloyd, Neo Classical, and Empire all provide excellent deco chandelier choices and the shades on these fixtures are simply exquisite! White opaque, satin, or transparent glass is the general theme for color on these shades but the shape of the shades is unique and flows nicely!
3. Country
If you are looking to choose a country style chandelier you've got a lot of choices from those fabulous wagon wheel chandeliers to a wide selection of wrought iron and brass chandeliers. The country styles are distinct completing that rustic room décor!
Arcadia, Monterrey, Barrington, Georgetown, and Sonoma all offer an excellent selection in country fixtures. Now the fixtures themselves are great but the shades simply add that finishing touch.
Fluted, bell, and tulip shapes are very popular and clear, white, amber, or rose glass is often used. Of course there are other choices!
4. Early American
What a wonderful era to choose lighting fixtures from! Most chandeliers from this era are candles and more modern reproductions are electric candles. The lines are simplistic yet powerful and wrought iron is the most common material type. Shades are seldom used but when they are they are generally an opaque white glass with a bell shape.
Buckingham, Hearthe, Roanoke, and Maris all have an excellent selection of early American fixtures. This is a style that looks well in almost any room and fits a wide range of decors.
5. Olde World
There is no other era quite like olde world. Here you get a wonderful mix of styles and shapes. Heavy fixtures made from a variety of metals are very common with brass being extremely popular. This is an era of unusual shapes that simply can't go unnoticed. It's the perfect choice for a period room or a trendy modern room where you want your chandelier to get noticed.
The style of shades varies a great deal. Tulip, bell, and fluted glass shades in both colored and clear glass and opaque and translucent. Fabric shades are also seen often. If you want to tie your chandelier to your room décor you can simply replace the shade fabric with a complimentary one.
6. Oriental
Oriental chandeliers are simplistic and elegant. They use color and shape to create peace and tranquility. Fabric cylinder shades are very popular and are available in many different colors all of which are soft and tranquil.
Oriental fixtures fit well in many decors. They can be used as a focal point or simply as part of the overall décor. Their simplistic shades are non invasive on their own yet stylish and calming. Livingston, Meridian, Kimono, and Satsuma all have some great Oriental chandeliers to choose from.
7. Victorian
There's something about the Victorian era that hasn't been duplicated since. Charm, elegance, sophistication, and style is what they all have to offer. Shades are either glass or fabric and are available in a variety of shapes. Victorian fixtures may take a bit longer to find the right one but don't give up. It's out there somewhere. Remember if the shades are fabric and you don't like them you can always redo them very easily.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that a Victorian fixture needs to be in a formal room. Nothing could be further from the truth. Of course it will look great in a formal room but they also make a great statement in a contemporary room presenting some style contrast. And don't forget about the shabby chic look!
8. Whimsical
Probably the most fun style of chandelier is the whimsical ones. They can come from different eras from early times to modern. They present unique shapes and design with shades that truly do make the statement.
This style fixture looks great in a living room, dining room, bathroom, bedroom, or entrance. They can be used as a feature or blended into the rooms décor.
Would you like pineapples? Wheat? Frogs? Dogs? Flowers? Balloons? Monkeys? Whimsical is only limited by your imagination. Remember the shades on these chandeliers should be fitting! Fun not formal! If you really want to add a touch of uniqueness to the room think whimsical.
Chandeliers are a great way to add the finishing touches to your room décor. Choosing a fixture you like is important but remember the chandelier lamp shades really do make or break the look so choose well!
