I am looking to replace an old ceiling fan with a contemporary/transitional chandelier in my Living Room. The room is 17X15. There is a regular 8' ceiling in about 5 feet of the room and then a vaulted (sloped) ceiling running from 9' to 16' high in the majority of the room. The chandelier would be hung where the ceiling is 12'.

What size chandelier would be best in this space? Also, how high should it hang down from the ceiling? My online research tells me the size should be 32" wide x 30-36" tall and hang about 96" from the ground. This doesn't seem right, but I really have no idea.

Currently it will be located above a cocktail table but if we decided to rearrange the room someday, I would want it to be high enough that a person wouldn't hit their head walking under it.

Also, it was suggested to me that the fixture be a tiered chandelier to give it some height for the space. Do you agree?

Your advice is much appreciated!