Okay, so remember that inspiration chandelier I put in my inspiration photo-drawing?
I looked at the specs and, turns out, it measures 42 inches wide. 🙁
I loooooved the combination of the dark weathered zinc and weathered oak wood parts and how short it was (perfect for over a bed!), but based on the (wide) width of it, I’m guessing it was meant to hang over a large dining table. Rats!
The folks at Lamps Plus sent over something similar though. It’s called the Quoizel Mirren Chandelier, and it’s only 28 inches wide…
…and now I have a question for you. Mini shades, or bare bulbs? I can’t decide!
Excited to work on the ceiling beams in the next couple of weeks, and Ruthie said our painting will be done soon too! 😀 Did you see this gorgeousness she posted on her Instagram last month?
I just saw it the other day and immediately sent her a text saying that I was certain that low country art was my spirit animal. 😉 That painting makes me feel ALL the feels, y’all!!
Would the mini shades obstruct the view of the painting? Seems like the starkness of the chandelier is more you..for some reason. But..those bulbs can be really bright if you need to turn it on in the middle of the night.
I didn’t realise you could add shades to these! I guess it depends on the shades. There’s an ad at the bottom of this post girl lighting that has a similar fitting with shades that looks really nice….but not sure if that fits with the whole farmhouse theme!
Not much help really ?
I was thinking that too.
I’d give the lamp shades a try. They might soften it a bit and tie in with your natural- looking window treatment. Looking great!
Great choice! I have the same fixture above my dining room table. I say NO to the shades. 🙂
PS – We have the lights on a dimmer to control the brightness.
Love your room. No to the shades. Tastefully simple.
Bare bulbs all the way??? your room looks GORGEOUS !!!!!
I vote for no shades too. It is more in keeping with the light airy crisp clean minimalist vibe the room is presenting. Sshades would be too busy & busy. A dimmer switch would be an added bonus!
My vote is bare bulbs as its more simple & clean. I would definitely put that gorgeous Chandy on a dimmer switch so you can control your lighting even more!! It’s all looking fabulous & im excited to see the art!!
Bare bulbs!
For once I absolutely don’t know! I love it both ways. I think I would try the shades and see, but my stronger instinct says it’s nicer without them. And yes to the dimmer.
Absolutely no shades. Just bulbs.
I would go with the bare bulbs. It’s hard to keep the shades straight and perfect. Plus they are dust catchers.
I like bare bulbs and I cannot lie 😉
LOL!
Bare bulbs. The room is beautiful and that painting is gorgeous.
I love the simplicity of no shades. I’d also put it on a simmer. I think it looks lovely, and the painting will look great in the room. Love your decorating style!
I love it!! I just don’t know how people live in the south though and don’t have a ceiling fan over their bed. Maybe KY is just more humid, but we can’t sleep without our fan running on summer nights. Would love to be able to do this look though. 🙂
We’re in Alabama (Humidity Capital of the South- LOL!) and we have central air, Leslie. Brrrrr! No fans necessary!
I have central air and live in Alabama but I don’t sleep well without my fan!
I would do both. in the warmer months bare and the cooler months shades.
Bare naked, Lady!
bare bulbs & install with dimmer you’ll love it!
Definitely bare bulbs. Shades give it more of a dining room look.
Layla
Bare bulbs. Use a dimmer to control brightness and have you seen the antique Edison bulbs for chandeliers. LOVE!!!
I sort of hate mini shades, so bare bulbs for the win!! 🙂
But, P.S. I won’t hate your room if you go with the shades, it’s too pretty so far! 😉
Maybe milk glass shades to match the wall mounted lamps??!!
Shades and to dress it up even more you need these http://www.beeswaxcandlecovers.com/ that I discovered while reading Joan’s blog http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/ I now have them on all my lamps that have “candles”
Bare bulbs. I love that low country painting!!
I love the simple look of just bulbs……
No to the shades. I love the way it looks now. Put it on a dimmer for softer light. 🙂
I love your choice of chandelier sure looks just like you ! I have a question for you not pertaining to this post. I really want a chandelier over my soaker tub in master bedroom, I was told it is not allowed by code unless my ceiling is 12 ‘ high which it is not. I am sure the safety idea behind this is water & electricity do not mix. If the light fixture is installed properly I don’t understand why this is not feasible because I see so many in all the magazines without having a tall ceiling. I do not plan to reach up and touch the chandelier while bathing !!! Soooo the electrician will not install it. What am I to do ?? get a less than ethical electrician to install ??? That is scarier than me touching it !! Problems in Wetumpka …..Thx
Hmmmm…I don’t have any experience with that, Lorita. :-/ I guess I’d get a second opinion, and maybe call an architect or builder that would know?
Lorita. Don’t do it. There was a pastor in Waco, Texas about five years ago who was performing a baptism. A little water from the dunk must have hit the overhead mic that was not battery operated. The pastor was electrocuted right in front of the whole congregation including wife and kids. Since water is a conduit for electricity, you may not even need to splash.
I was dusting a chandelier once. Just a clean soft cloth. No products. No moisture. Light was off and had not been on that morning at all. The electricity zapped me so hard it flung my arm back and felt as if it pulled it out of socket. It didn’t but sure hurt for a long time. I learned that certain electrical items hold a charge for a really long time. Maybe you can switch to real candles? Hang the chandelier even lower so no concern about the ceiling catching on fire when the AC kicks on.
another agreement for no shades and a dimmer. When I see shades, I think more formal rather than casual…plus my lazy nature says there’s the dusting needed for those dang shades 🙂
No shades is my vote.
I like the clean look of bulb only….but I hate the harshness of bare bulb. Think you should try bare with a dimmer. You can always buy shades later to try that look. Like the sea grass shades at Ballard.
No shades! Go to In-Line and get tgeir cool new LED bulbs.
Beth – what cool new LED bulbs are you talking about? I had to put all energy-efficient bulbs in all my light fixtures in our new build house in order to pass inspecion. The choices for LED/CFL candle bulbs are AWFUL! That big white base they have just doesn’t look right to me 🙁 So if you have a lead on cool looking LED bulbs I’m all ears! 🙂 Thanks!
Bare, definitely!!
Bare bulbs…use a dimmer to control brightness.
Can you give me the info on your inspiration chandelier Thanks Pam
I vote bare too…but do they make a more frosted bulb, rather than the pure clear? It sort of looks like the ones in the inspiration photo are more milky looking and I think that would solve a lot of “problems” at once!
I vote for no shades! I love the way your room is coming together!!
Bare bulbs! Love it.
My vote: No shades…the simplicity is the beauty. Layla, tell me your train of thought as it relates to the circumference of the light…? Are you basing it in relation to the size of the bed – and feel that the 40 something inches wide is overwhelming? Or how? I’m curious of the fit especially if you found one that was short enough height wise…or is there a “chandelier hanging over the bed” rule of thumb? 🙂
I was curious about that too.
I vote bare as well. Any chance you have any info on the painting in your inspiration? What a beautiful room you are creating.
Voting for bare bulbs!
I like it bare but it would depend on the shade. Decorative bulbs for sure.
Bare bulbs, no shades. It would ruin the look of the chandy. And, like the poster up above said, you can go with frosted. Either way, for sure, get a dimmer. It will look awesome!!
I love the look of just the bulbs.:)
Adding a dimmer switch would make it even more wonderful!
Beautiful chandelier!
I concur on no shades! I love the simplicity of the fixture and feel it suits the tranquil setting you have already created! Love it!
I looked for reasonable ‘burlap’ lamp shades for our new fixture – and it added up with 6 lights. I walked into Lowe’s one day – there they were – & under $6.00! They’re’ perfect. Someone emailed you perhaps put on the shades in the winter? Might work! Good luck!
(BTW, I love our overhead fan as well, but I LOVE your look!)
There is a gift shop near me in Lake Geneva, WI that sells the kind of light bulb in your pictures (the pointy ones) that have been dipped in clear silicone. When lit, they cast a wonderful, soft light and the little wispy tips that result from dipping them makes them look a little bit like a flame. Great and easy DIY. And very cool look.
Love reading about your life and your home – You inspire me every day.
Hi Layla, I like just the bulbs, no shades…
Bare bulbs. It’s a great fixture but shades would make it look like a dining room fixture, in my opinion.
Bare bulbs on a dimmer….