Others may disagree but I think a chandelier defines a Dining Room. I would get one and enjoy looking at it over your lovely table! The one you have chosen looks nice; just be sure the scale is correct. Your table and space look grand to me; don't skimp on size.

I wonder if there's some structural obstruction in the ceiling that prevented the previous owners from putting up a centered chandy?

It looks like there is already recessed lighting down the center of the ceiling, and so I think there should be some way of getting a chandelier installed. I'm not sure where there is track lighting shining on the window wall on the right - that doesn't seem like a good idea.

I light the chandelier you have chosen. It looks like a Ruhlmann reproduction. I designed a wall sconce many years ago based on that chandelier, but I changed it quite a bit.

I think you chandelier choice would go well in that room.

It's a beautiful room, and I think the track lighting was done well but, for me, a chandelier in the dining room adds ambiance. Especially one on a rheostat. I can't imagine not having one myself. The one you're considering is really lovely. It will be fun seeing pics of your new home as you decorate it, Rita!

Jjam, yes, that is how I feel as well, a chandelier is essential to a dining room for me, hence my question.

Roxana, at this point it seems like modern conveniences have always existed. It's great to hear someone speak about a time before from personal memory. Thank you.

Jewel, great point. I'm glad Lars pipped up with reassurances.

Lars, yes, I thought the way the lighting looked was a recipe for glare. And yes again, the chandelier is a copy of a Rhulmann by E.F. Chapman from Circa Lighting/Visual Comfort.

Artemis, I'm glad you think it will look nice. It will be interesting balancing my rather traditional taste in furniture with the modern lines of the house.

Lynn, thank you for the kind words. I appreciate your perspective tremendously. I think your house is beyond lovely.

The track was probably only meant to be lit when the full length drapes were closed.

Lars, I went over to 1stdibs and was looking at Art Deco dining chairs because of our discussion about the chandelier. I found that a Henredon chair I had just seen the other day was a verbatim copy of a Leleu chair. Is that very common? I remember Barbara Barry's Baker collection being criticized for ripping off Ruhlmann, but I had not thought of passing off another's work without any attribution as being done- and it was not just a generic Henredon- it was Henredon by so and so designer.

My apologies for going so far OT. I promise to stop now.

The chairs are not absolutely identical, but doesn't the original guy deserve some attribution?

Here are the chairs:

Jules Leleu

Henredon by Celerie Kemball:

Barbara Barry also copied (with minor changes) a table design that I did for JRS, and so I do not find it unusual that she copied chair designs. Unfortunately, it is fairly common for designs to be copied, and a lot of my designs have had copyrights, but those only last for fourteen years and cannot be renewed. Therefore, a design that is over fourteen years old can be copied, but I agree that credit should be given to the original designer. The chairs you show I think are sufficiently different as not to infringe on patents, if those were in effect. A chandelier that I designed was copied by a company in Chicago, and they installed it in their window in New York not that far from our showroom in the D&D Building. Our patent attorneys did file suit against them and won. I did not see it, but one of our NY salespersons took pictures of it and sent them to me.

Oh, Lars, that is vile! I understand that the old Art Deco designs of a Ruhlmann or Leleu are well out of legal protection. It's just that I thought, like with the chandelier I mentioned, the original author of the design should get some credit (my chandelier is called the Ruhlmann). But to have your current designs stolen by others must be terribly galling. I am sorry. As for the chairs, I guess it's a case of my untrained eye seeing many similarities and your better trained eye seeing all the departures.

I think the size of the room calls out for a show stopping chandelier. I love the one you chose but in your picture you room is so narrow and long I wonder what a more bar shaped chandy would look like?

In person a lot of the Barbara Barry pieces are larger in overall scale, then wider and more bottom heavy than the originals. The pieces are on steroids. I sit in them and my feet dangle.

I really like the chandelier that you chose, it has attractive lines and will be beautiful even when not lit. We're nearly done renovating our next home and we've included several Art Deco touches. This is the chandelier that will hang in the foyer. The foyer is 2 stories and the second floor has a loft open to the hall and foyer.

https://www.hudsonvalleylighting.com/Item/1809-AGB

and then there are 2 sconces that we staggered on the landing

https://www.hudsonvalleylighting.com/Item/1801-AGB

What a gorgeous room! I would probably not add a chandelier,but I am sure it could work both ways. :) I would live with it awhile and see if you miss it.

I'd like to see those Leleu and Celerie Kemble chairs side-by-side.

I'd bet the Kemble chair is visibly bigger.

I have some Heywood Wakefield (early 1900s, not mid century) gilt bamboo corner chairs, that no modern person can sit on. They are too small and too delicate and some of it has to do with their age but a lot of it has to do with their structure. The cat sits in one (and has stretched the caning: she is 8.5 lbs.). These were made for 90 lb Edwardian ladies, I guess.

Even my walnut Nakashima captain's style chairs, there are a few people that sit in them and I internally cringe. One of my neighbors used to sit in one and tip back on the back legs (since the seat height is also low). I was afraid she was going to tip backwards and break the back or snap one of the legs. People are so much bigger than they used to be. She is a solid 225 or so.

I think one can rarely spoil a dining room with a chandelier..

besides all the other things it provides(light, ambience, atmosphere), it's a very powerful image..reminicent of fire that used to bring people together at night..tell stories of past, and share dreams of the future

there are very few things that still bring people as close to each other as when they share a meal:) and a source of light is a part of that..

so no, unless it's interrupting some very important visual line, I see no reason not to put chandelier in the dining room, if one can and want to do that

ah, and Rita, it's your thread, you can go as far OT as you wish, and I also find it's quite fascinating, so I, personally, am reading with great interest:)

your choice of chandelier will look fabulous. many other options will as well. It's a beautiful room.

arcy_gw, I don't ever look at bar type chandeliers. Thank you for the idea, I will definitely go back and see what is available in that format.

pal, I never thought about the difference in scale between yesterday's furniture and today's. Between how we have super-sized ourselves and our houses, it's no wonder there is a disconnect, but for your feet to dangle on a Baker/Barbara Barry piece- yikes- that makes no sense. It's a shame we couldn't see the two Art Deco chairs side-by-side.

maire_cate, that are lovely lighting fixtures. Thank you for showing them to me. I will add them to the short-list of contenders. I am so looking forward to seeing your new house.

Boop- living with things as they are for a while is always good advice. And I see why you think the room looks good with out the chandelier. The lines seem quite strong and intentional.

april, I am glad to see the majority of people think a chandelier is a good idea for the space, as it's my natural inclination for all the reasons you state. Since I have never lived in a house that is as stylized as this one, I became a bit nervous about not respecting what the house might be demanding. Your words about the importance of the source of light drew a picture of a wife/mother lighting the Shabbat candles- quite beautiful and powerful imagery.

And thank you all for allowing me my endless digressions. It's wonderful having such talented, knowledgeable and thoughtful people to turn to with these issues.

I think a custom Lindsay Adelman chandelier would look fantastic in your space, paired with traditional furniture. The shade chandelier you selected doesn't do much for me. I think a statement chandelier -- something that is asymmetrical and unique (maybe one of her branch chandeliers) could take that room to the next level.

one can rarely go wrong with Lindsay Adelman that's true

I'd have to sell the rest of it though, to get her designs..:) hopefully keeping my internal organs lol

Pipdog, I would never have considered the possibility of a LA chandelier. I feel like you have a great point and I really need to push myself to explore that possibility, thank you for bringing it up to me. I have never shopped for her work. If she is in Lalanne territory, I will have to pass (I know Lalanne is trite and overused, but I love the work of both the husband and the wife, but out of my price range, so I won't fall into that trap ;-)

If I recall LA sells or gives instruction on how to build your own fixture very similar to hers. I don't think you want to do that though. I would either remove the track or replace the heads with smaller spots. Also, I would remove the cans and install a fabulous contemporary chandelier dripping in crystals. Maybe something in iron resembling branches with oversized crystals. Can't wait to see what you do with this house. It's beautiful!

Gigi, it so happens that my favorite chandelier at the moment reminds me a bit of what you suggest. I thought it was "too much" for the room. Here it is. There are two versions, one with crystals and one without:

And yes, the cans and track lighting are going away.

Pardon if someone else suggested this, but your room looks so large with a good sized table, I would think about two chandeliers. I don't know the scale of the one you posted, so don't know if it would work, but I love it!

love the branches one

one of my favorite branch chandeliers ever are by Canopy Designs..but I admit one has to be very much into botanicals, most of the time..even though they have a lot of fabulous pieces

I love crystals especially colorful ones..I think there are so many great options here one's head can easily start spinning

I also love Currey and Co..great quality, really..and some other brand which name escapes me at the moment(very helpful I know..a smaller, boutique one..oh gosh. the designs are pretty bold, that I do remember)

..so..if the table is large and the room is long..the fluid-shaped, horizontal branch would make a lot of sense..one needs to make sure he absolutely loves it..but that's true just about any light..even more so when every branch is several K easily..

Rita, Do you know the direction you are going with the rest of the house? You may want to wait until you have the furniture in the room. Or just get this one with black metal. It would look fabulous with the window/door frames. (This photo really doesn't do it justice.)

Athens Ranch · More Info

I think your room is "missing something", and I like your choice of chandelier; however, I also like some of the others that have been shown. But, yes, definitely add something in the way of a nice light fixture.

Oly, those are beautiful pictures of double chandeliers. That's a great idea I had not thought about.

April, you know how you are into fauna? I am equally into flora. I will look at your suggestions. And yes, the long branch type by LA makes a lot of sense in this space. It is a huge departure from my style. But I am more than willing to entertain the idea seriously.

Gigi, yes, I have a pretty good idea about the decor over all. There will be Persian rugs (in deep colors) in the dining room, living room and library. The dining room furniture is Louis XVI, white wood for the chairs, white upholstery, maybe yellow on back of chair, walnut table, with a demilune sideboard- these sound heavy, but they are quite sparse, though a scotch more formal than I would like for a room that is the only dining space- which is all pushing me to go more modern on the chandelier- the one you posted is a great idea- I need a balance to the furniture's formality. I will post pics later if anyone cares. The sofas will have modern lines- MaxAlto sofa Lutetia covered in white Damask accented with colorful pillows.

mrspete, yes, indeed, something is missing. We'll get there. You are all so tremendously helpful & patient :-)

ETA I wrote family room and meant library- the family room is in the basement.

I'm into fauna AND flora..hopelessly so:)

your plans sound wonderful, and of course we care to see the pics!

Thank you for helping me not drive my husband and sons crazy with my continual talk of dining chairs and drapes. Here are my thoughts.

The Louis XVI style above is my preferred choice, but perhaps the fretwork below is a better choice for lightening up the space.

These china cabinets/vitrines above would flank the widows on the short end of the room.

Below are some rug possibilities.

And then I thought yellow drapes.

Thank you, again for indulging me this way. I appreciate the feedback and digital camaraderie!

go with your preferred chair..you won't regret it. you'll make it work if you'll feel you need to(but I think it will work very well). first, it's more comfortable for prolonged seating; second I do believe then when it comes to chairs..as to many other things..one should be really content; third is not important since it's really personal preference of mine, but I like the legs of the first one better..maybe the second one's pic is too small though so hard to appreciate the detailing?..

(my DH was recently wearing out one of our guests by showing him the house, in a great detail, and very excitedly..at first I tried to tell him quietly such level of detail is not always needed..then I thought "but he doesn't have GardenWeb to talk about all that!" lol)

I love a mix of rounded and staight lines, very much so

and I like the idea of more traditional furnishings in a more streamlined modern space..and vice versa too, of course

I think it will be a wonderful, wonderful room

April, thank you for the encouragement about the Louis XVI chairs. I have one more question about them- do you think white dining chairs with wood furniture is too much of the moment (note how I didn't use the dreaded trendy word ;-) But seriously, my current chairs are cane back, Louis XV style from my parents (I have only six- they will move to other spaces in the house,) and they are certainly not white. A lot of my thinking about this room is driven by my need to have the formal furniture I love, but to be a little less formal since it's my only dining space.

Now, back to chandeliers. I visited Canopy and Currey. What amazing treasures they both have- but especially Canopy. Here are some of the things that called my name:

From Canopy, I am especially keen:

I could do that one in multiples maybe?

Then from Currey and Co:

And lastly I looked more seriously at Lindsey Adleman and found this piece that I liked a great deal:

I love the branches. I might prefer the look with the glass being transparent though. It's a huge departure for me. But it's starting to grow on me.

Thank you Pipdog for the suggestion.

PS Thank you so much April for the kind words about the room turning out well. It looks very empty and cold to me, even with the furniture picked out. My mother always said it's the accessories that make the room, we'll see.

I've never furnished a real house before. We have lived in a tiny house with hand-me-down furniture (which I love) until now, so I have never really decorated a whole empty house all on my own.

Rita, you're asking the wrong person-I love stain plus paint for years..so if it is a moment-my moment is almost twenty years old..:) I don't know whether it sounds reassuring enough..but whenever something is beautiful and speaks to you-well it will continue to be beautiful, and to speak to you.

I'm so relieved you liked Curray and especially Canopy..my dream dining light was a Canopy one..I still look at it from time to time. Mine was orangey-red one..:)

Truth to be told-they all are beautiful. They'll all work. It's question of the room as a whole...

Adelman one is absolutely gorgeous. As always. I prefer glass to be white, in case of dining-the light will be softer..

As for Canopy Designs-I believe you can have some choice there, in terms of colors..?

Lindsey Adelman's one will be a sharp and wonderful counterpoint, great for the space, no doubt.

The Currey one...their finishes are to die for..great craftsmanship. (others will be too I'm sure, but it's only Currey ones I saw IRL.) Will look more majestic..I'd say a tad more predictable, but the room is so streamlined it won't be really.

The Canopy one will probably be the most unexpected of them all..the most "I don't give a damn". It's a bit scary while one decides, but the result might be truly rewarding.

It's hard to decorate everything at once, so I personally behave like a proper stone age person-a hunter and a gatherer. You're very much in this journey already..you have your idea. Now it's developing it..and as in every story some parts will be written as if some high power moves your hand, and some will come together slowly. I'm sure you know that better than I do.

And only you will know which was which:) in the end. if the end is to come at all. And if it doesn't that's even better

It's really exciting(I'd say I'm excitedly jumping on my chair weren't I in bed right now))..and I admire you for sharing your ideas with us. I think it takes courage I don't possess. Or something else that I still don't possess lol.

PS of course accessories make the room! if say a room is a person..than accessories are the how he walks, and how he gestures, and how he smiles, and what beautymarks he has, and why you do love him..and everything that's hard to explain to strangers.

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