Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Crystal Constellation

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. Well whoever said that had not seen my crystal constellation...

One day I was shopping for a client in a little chandelier shop and up on the ceiling I saw my Opera Chandelier. It was in pieces and very dirty but I bought it on the spot. Immediately I had buyers remorse… What if it does not clean up, looks cheap or junky?

It arrived all sparkly in several boxes – boxes of rods and boxes of crystals. I was thrilled, but had no clear idea what to do – no instructions...

There are long, medium and short rods which all mix together to create the design. It comes with a tiny, and I mean tiny, wrench to adjust the location of the crystals or the balls on the rod. Assembly takes many trips up the ladder - first screwing in the rods, then placing all the crystals.

You can orient the design vertically in a sphere or more horizontally, depending on the style you like, and the ceiling height you have. Mine is horizontal. Getting it right from all angles takes hours. All in, it took two evenings. Hopefully next time it will be faster knowing what I'm doing.

Running across this chandelier was truly “the find” of a lifetime and will be forever the crown jewel of my living space. In my new apartment you will see it from the street where it will surely catch the eyes of many who will also fall in love just as I did and put it on their wish list…

This chandelier belongs here - hanging across the street from the Planetarium in The Galaxy. But for now it sits waiting in a box on the floor, looking strikingly similar to the day I found it. Not for long...

5 comments:

Dream Mom said...

The chandelier looks so pretty in there! What a great find! I am sure you must be getting excited now with the renovations underway. I am looking forward to seeing it, especially the bathroom vanity.

There is a chandelier at my hair salon that I fell in love with and I recently found it on-line but haven't ordered it yet. I like the larger one but the smaller one fits in my space better.

I know exactly what you mean about the find of a lifetime...I found a Louis XV giltwood mirror a few months back for an unbelievable price and it will be with me forever.

elizabeth212 said...

Kelly,

I was at the Metropolitan Opera two nights ago, and of course the instant I saw the chandeliers, I thought of you and the good fortune you had in procuring yours. By integrating so many much beauty in your home you manage to leave your mark even in the places that existed before you.

Elizabeth

Leen said...

It's beautiful! I love anything sparkly!

Fashion Maven said...

Wow I am so jealous! I have been looking for a chandelier like that for ages! You are so lucky. Wow - where on earth did you scoop that up?

Kelly Giesen said...

I love sparkly too. I found mine at an antique shop that is now closed. It breaks my heart as I loved going there, and had been for years. Ughhh - the economy...

Elizabeth I saw the chandeliers too while in a cab the other night, and was taken in again... Seeing them up close - one better.