Ideas for chandys using LEDs:

Uttermost Marlow 6 Light Antique Bronze Chandelier · More Info

Dunwoody 6-Light Chandelier · More Info

Modern Chandelier Rain Drop Crystal Ball Ceiling Lamp · More Info

9-Light Chandelier Burnt Sienna · More Info

Palace Multicolored Acrylic Chandelier · More Info

I would go to 'shop' for dining lighting & enter 'LED' on this houzz site to get some examples.

dont try swapping the bulbs in the old fixture thats just a waste of a trip up the later. they will be brighter than what you have now, so just go for style. and install a dimmer.

I would go for cascade crystal lights. crystals disperse the light and make room look brighter

so much really depends on the look you want. this home isn't formal or modern, so i'd forego anything with crystals, which will just look out of place. i'd look for a large scaled swing arm style....perhaps something similar to the 9 light fixture posted above. i'd also consider breaking up the expanse of the same shade of beige throughout, and painting the spindles, the stair risers and french doors all white which will really help to brighten up all of the dark wood.

You also want to hang it lower so you can access it to change the bulbs. A client of mine had hers hung so that the top was just about at the level of the banister and she could use a longish hook thing to reach it, pull it toward the railing and change the bulbs. The fixture has to look good from all sides if you can look down into it.

LED bulbs last 15 to 20 yrs.

Exactly what I was going to say. The new one needs lowering.

In fact, do you really need a chandelier? It might look better without anything there.

Since you want a modern chandelier though your home is traditional, maybe simply select a traditional lantern fixture that now has a modern appearance. Maybe that will span the gap.

a cage or an orb lol.

The cage style will look right in the space and you can find attractive ones for much less than $2000. With the money you save, you might consider replacing the black-lined can lights with LED retrofits, which not only look sleeker but cost far less to operate over time and don't generate all that heat. I would also replace the 80's pink carpet with wood or a light berber.

Thanks for your comments.

I should have mentioned that the photos of the house were from the original owners... the flooring is all hardwood now, the painting changed and the lights that you see in the dining room etc are all updated.

New lights in dining room

Yes, Laurie you should have but in this case I will stick with my original suggestion. Enjoy your home.

Could you remove it completely and use wall sconces where needed? That is easier to dust and easier to change bulbs.

Ah! Your updates make all the difference. I would go with a curvy transitional lantern such as miacometlady suggested. You don't want anything formal over a tile floor. A larger size will feel most comfortable. Incandescent bulbs may lend warmth to the chandelier, which is primarily decorative. Then, replace the recessed lights with LEDs (on a compatible dimmer) for high quality light. Finally, I would add an area rug and a tall living potted tree or potted plants to the tiled foyer beneath the chandelier to add life, softness, and richness to this large space.

i meant i am considering lol.........

Check out Kichler brand lighting "Parker Point". It's an absolutely beautiful series with modern/traditional elements. It would go amazing with the changes you have done. Good luck. Looks great!!!

take a look at Lumens.com Fantastic online site. I buy all of my lighting from them.

My favorite is the rustic metal that takes its style from a traditional light, but is transitional. The one on the right above. Your house is not modern. The dining room is, yes. But the stairwell is not. Transitional is the way to go. It blends w/both styles you have going. You will know the lighting when you see it... your heart will sing to you!:)

I believe if you update your curtains on the second floor and railing to a modern look, it will match your dining room. That way both room would be more in sync as being modern. I guess what I'm saying is think about your entire house so that it flows whether it be modern or tradition. I think if the railings were different and in black or iron with white or cream steps, that may bring the second floor out very nicely.

As long as you keep the newel posts in natural wood and with the knobbed tops, it is going to look traditional, which will limit your chandelier choices. If you want to go modern, like the DR, I would suggest (and it won't be inexpensive), replacing newel w/box newels and/or the spindles w/iron and/or at LEAST paint the spindles white. To me, the all wood is discordant w/the white woodwork, and will always make your entry more traditional

I instantly fell in love with this crystal art, it's simplicity is lovely. Your new wood floor looks just right. I think if mine, I would want to keep it as is, switch in LED bulbs, paint the ceiling to match the walls, and add ceiling medallion or molding to define it's space and importance on the ceiling. It all ready looks more at home changing the mauve carpet to rich wood. You know what you love and you are doing great!

Need to paint the stair rails white. They don't work with the theme you are trying to achieve.

Agree w/bodiCA I liked the crystal, too....it can be "funky" instead of formal! Great idea to get ceiling medallion....i might be tempted to paint the medallion the wall color instead of the ceiling, as I regret painting one of my ceilings a lighter version of the walls...darkened it. You could ALSO take off all of the crystals, spraypaint the metal in an oiled bronze, brushed nickle (tie in w/DR?), copper, or even black (personally, I'd go w/oiled bronze or brushed nickle, but don't know what the rest of your house is).....and then put the crystals back on. Would really modernize it....I have done w/great success on several fixtures....as they aren't "handled" they last until next time you decide to spend a few dollars on spraypaint and change up your look again! :)

I fell in love with that chandelier!! AS IS!! The ideas of lowering it, putting in LED dimmer bulbs (plus the "hook" for easier access) are doable. IF not....ship it to me? ;)

I like what you've done with your dining room; you've done a nice job incorporating modern elements into the room! In my opinion, you can do the same thing with the foyer by adding a fun, funky and modern light! I wouldn't worry so much about keeping the traditional look if a modern vibe is what you're going for. Artemide has a lot of really interesting lights, if you look on Ylighting.com they have a good collection of their stuff. We used the pirce suspension over our dining room table and it looks amazing (and always gets a lot of attention)! I'd also look on the same site at LBL Lighting, the Batons chandelier would probably look great too!! Go with what makes you happy! :)

I wonder if you are still seeing it as part of the previous owner's decor (which is now gone). If you change your thinking about the chandelier from "outdated" to "classic" you might just save yourself $2000.

I also agree with the previous suggestion to paint the metal - I think it is the gold that dates it, not the style, which is timeless. Changing the bulbs to long life technology will help, plus when it is removed for painting, might be an idea to have all its wiring checked by an electrician.

What miacometlady said.

Since what you want is to update, have you at least considered one of the better ceiling fans instead of a chandelier?

Whatever chandelier you choose, I suggest you have an electrician install a light lift. I used an electric lift made by Aladdin for the large lantern chandelier in my two story entry. The electrician will install a switch on a wall that you activate with a key that lowers and raises the fixture for cleaning and bulb replacement.

Made me think of the movie "Working Girl" when she's at her boss' house and flips a switch to lower the light! But that's really the only suggestion if you don't want to pull out a ladder to change bulbs. Of course, LEDs are supposed to have a pretty long life so it might not be worth the extra cash.

I'll just throw in to check Overstock.com and Wayfair.com. They both have a pretty good stock of just about everything and are reputable. and inexpensive.

I, too, kinda like the current light fixture, although not for that location. I can see it ceiling mounted in a master bath or or guest bedroom. If the brass is a problem, there are all sorts of metal finishes in spray paint these days. Paint it silver and it'll get that same modern vibe of your DR light. If you don't want to keep it, see if you can sell it on Craig's List!

Some great ideas to hang it lower & paint the trims. This Fredrick Ramond is an updated vintage look with tall cylinder shape, works great for staircases and high ceilings, also the glass sprinkles light and color, decorating the whole space Fredrick Ramond

I just put that in my staircase. It'a a BIG WOW factor

murray fiess. I love that fixture!!

Another thing you could try, to make it less formal, is to remove some of the crystals to open it up, especially if you opt to change the metal colour to something darker. You could remove entire rows, or every second one, or maybe some of the little "droplets".

And if you wanted to get really creative, you could use translucent glass paint on some (or all) of the crystals. (It is easily removable if you change your mind.)

Now a really left-field idea - hang something else on some of the hooks. I'm seeing teaspoons...

so, laurlesamuels, what did you decide?

It's funny but since I saw your thread, I've been noticing chandeliers in 2-story foyers! The biggest thing is most are hung much lower - I've seen some that actually have the "top" of the chandelier at bannister level. One perk might be that it would be easier to "swing" the light over to change bulbs - carefully, that is!

Your lights in the DR are really pretty - almost ethereal - and finding something like that might be a challenge but worth the effort.

A passing thought...you could lower the chandelier, paint the metal silver, remove the long crystals and add white velum to the 2 upper chambers, leaving the crystal droplets on the bottom. The velum would give you the same ethereal nature of your dining room lights while diffusing the light at eye level.

Go shopping and pick something fun that you like--it is, after all, your house. I agree with replacing it! And I am a traditional gal---LOL

The métal part is 36 niches. The hanging Crystal is between 22 and 36, dending Howard your put them.

Finding someone to install was the tough and most expensive part!!

All LED bulbs and installed a dimmer. The room is easily twice as bright as it was before.