Oh I get you! I fell in love with this light for my island that my designer found in a magazine. (I immediately got sticker shock, but then everything else I looked at (and I looked at dozens!) I compared to this one, so it became known as "the chosen one.") The only showroom I could find for it was in Atlanta (I'm in Chicago suburbs) and it was in a different finish.

We ended up visiting a showroom nearby that has other Visual Comfort lights, and we loved the quality. We also looked at several lights in the same finish, and loved how the finish looked as well. So I took a leap of faith and ordered my "chosen one", as well as several other Visual Comfort lights. I love it! (Partial view in photo below.)

If you can visit a showroom and find something from the same manufacturer, that might help you get a sense of the quality and finish. You also might want to ask someone in customer service if the antique brass finish darkens over time. (That seemed to be the case with some of the fixtures I viewed in person.) I'm glad you're checking the return policy just in case (there is likely to be a restocking fee, but maybe you'll get lucky.) I hope your experience turns out just as well as mine!

FWIW I'm now glad that it was hard / impossible to find in person, because I feel that it's more unique and less likely that I'll ever run into anyone with the same light. Also, my designer warned me that the builders she has worked with, including mine, estimate waaay low on a lighting allowance. This was true in my case (my "chosen one" alone was more than the lighting allowance for a whole house renovation.) IMO lighting isn't something that I'll change out any time soon, so I don't mind the investment.

Where do you live? Palecek has showrooms in design centers around the country so you could ask your designer to accompany you to the showroom to see it. I agree that chandeliers, in particular, owe a lot to size and scale. Seeing just a photo of it doesn't always do it justice.

And no, don't paint it. If you don't like it as is, find a different piece.

That Palecek Monterey chandelier weighs 78 lbs. You would need a ceiling fan electrical box to support the load.

What possible reason for that light ???? Maybe post a pic of your space that just to me is plain ugly and honestly 78 lbs no way IMO I guess I need context but you need to see this in person for sure .

Are there any reviews on this website from people who have bought the same fixture? If so, would suggest you read those to see if others have been pleased with the fixture.

Looks like a brown cardboard version of a car's air filter. I would totally try to craft a dupe before spending that much money on something like that.

Chicagoans.. that light is gorgeous!
No reviews. It is very new.
Wdccruise, I am aware of the weight requirements. I planned for a large heavy chandelier.
Thank you for your honest opinion Patricia. I can see from your projects why you wouldn’t be a fan.
Sabrina, I live in Galveston County, Texas. Houston is close, and that’s where I went. They had other Palacek fixtures. They are second to none in quality. And I promise not to paint it. $$$$$ lol

Hmmmm, I don’t remember asking anyone to weigh in on my taste.

If you really love it I hope it brings you joy. What is the shade material? It looks like cork.

@bearbev the shade is cocoa beads. @Suzi Hanks do you need or want a chandelier to provide a lot of light? This one looks like it would shine down but not provide light to the side - but of course without viewing it in person and lit it's very hard to tell. FWIW the first time I saw a picture of a 'string' light I thought, hell to the no. But then I saw one in person, lit, and I completely changed my mind. I ended up ordering this one (sight unseen other than pictures) for over my dining table, and I really like it. I will say that compared to glass globes, it does throw less light horizontally. I don't need that in my space, but it's something to keep in mind for your light if that matters.

The chandy retails for over $11,000. Lots of cheap direct flights from HOU to ATL. Why gamble?

Ci_lantro..True! It’s so new nobody has one. I’ve asked for samples. Corporate says it is truer to the darker shade. The Dallas showroom says they will have one around Thanksgiving.. a flight may be in order!

ci_lantro: "The chandy retails for over $11,000."

Really? Wow!

Minardi: "Looks like a brown cardboard version of a car's air filter"

Yeah, it kinda does. $14/each for two filters and a can of brown Rustoleum and you've made yourself a chandelier!

Yes, for $11k, I would definitely take a flight. Especially considering the weight, because even if it was returnable, shipping would be pricey.

love the texture and that it's different from everything seen online these days --- sometimes it's just "the one" - agree to fly and check it out, it would be super disappointing to have it arrive and not love it -

Better pics

The more important thing is context. What's around it? Where is it going, over a table, alone in a foyer? How high the ceiling?

45 inches is a large diameter for something 'very closed". It WILL grow when it enters your sphere, Everything lives in the context of a whole.

It is going over a 6 ft wide coffee table made from an acacia stump. Surrounded by swivel barrel chairs, as a lounge/conversation pit in a bar area between a dining table for 10 and the living room. Open concept.
The room can handle a large piece.. that’s why I am considering it.
There is a wall of windows along the kitchen, dining, lounge and living room facing unspoiled Texas coastal prarie. Kitchen has a 10x5 island with honed Taj Mahal countertops and custom walnut/afromosia cabinets.
It is pretty grand.

But right now I’m sitting in a folding chair in the middle of dust and debris! Best part of living during and through a remodel, taking your bra off when everybody leaves for the day.

Suzi Hanks: "It is going over a 6 ft wide coffee table made from an acacia stump."

In case Houzzers might not know what that could look like:

"Superb black epoxy resin table was made from the solid acacia tree. This tree stump coffee table..." -- Etsy

This

Welllll also pretty cool, Finch/Arteriors and 45 inch diameter, and equally organic over the acacia table. Less than half the kaching, too. I might want a bit more contrast with the table...jmho

Wrapped views · More Info

You're in Texas, so too Arteriors...

Wrapped views · More Info

https://www.arteriorshome.com/finch-chandelier-89560

I think way too early to choose an actual chandelier I never choose lighting in the midst of a reno things change when all the dust clears . I still think it is not idel but we really have no context if all the other things going into the space are heavy and bulky maybe it works I cannot imagine it used over a coffee table so I guess post pics when done . Love the coffee table BTW

Suzi,

I love your chandelier!

I am in the midst of a remodeling like you, and I totally get how great it is to find something that gets your groove back after you hit a wall, as you call it. You probably hit the wall because you saw too many same/old, same/old fixtures. With this chandelier, you have something off the beaten path that is beautiful and isn't one of those crazy off the beaten path chandeliers.

I've visited the Palecek showroom in Chicago Merchandise Mart in years past many times, and they have lovely items. Remember, the color is going to look different when the light is on and depending on the kelvins involved. If you haven't seen a view from the underside, an in-person viewing is especially important. At least to me, I don't like looking at naked bulbs. With yours, I think the second tier blocks the view of internal mechanics and makes it a great choice.

Not always, but many times, there is a difference in quality and construction between a pricey fixture and a "sort of looks like it" fixture. If it hits your bells, forget about the price and go with what will complete your room and make it even more fabulous. Jan's suggestion is very beautiful too!

If you are going to visit Dallas, check out the Visual Comforts showroom there. Here's a link to their virtual showroom below. I'd also visit any cool lighting stores there. This Meletio showroom looks nice in online pictures, for example.

https://www.meletio.com/showroom/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Visual+Comfort+%26+Co./@32.8023158,-96.8230671,3a,75y,40.91h,87.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipMTZ1u0Zm95ElYNvX3dcjfWgJtKGKHBvjyfyf-d!2e10!6s%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMTZ1u0Zm95ElYNvX3dcjfWgJtKGKHBvjyfyf-d%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi2.9729255854915664-ya152.46552612415485-ro0-fo100!7i10916!8i5458!4m9!3m8!1s0x864e9ead532c6a7b:0xf49fa1e6211f4aa0!8m2!3d32.8022888!4d-96.8230181!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgARICCAI!16s%2Fg%2F1tgf3mkm?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTEwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

It is 42" in diameter, so it will make a big statement wherever it's placed, yet it only takes a few candelabra bulbs. It is going to be very dim in appearance.

The beaded texture is unique, and Palacek is known for the very tropical, coastal products it develops. This fixture will stand out, but it will only provide minor atmosphere light.

Sometimes it good to select similar objects in a space, and sometimes it's better to have contrasting objects so they stand out. Here is your selection with a acacia table and other pendant offerings. Of course the height of the ceiling and the volume of the room will have a great impact on the appearance.