I've swagged mine but I put a fabric cover on the chain. It wasn't my first choice, I would have rathered moved the chandelier, but since we are considering a remodel, I did what works. It actually looks pretty good.

We did that and I think it looks great!

not at all! Sometimes you have to swag to center the fixture.


http://www.ballarddesigns.com/lighting/lighting-accessories/?cm_sp=imagenav-_-subcatnav-_-lighting_lightingaccessories#w=*&af=cat2:lighting_lightingaccessories cat1:lighting pagetype:products


http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2012/04/how-to-swag-a-light-fixture.html

If you can move the electric so that it is centered (at reasonable cost and effort), then do it.

I can promise you that no one intentionally locates their electric off center so that they can swag their fixture -- when you see it done, it is always a budget friendly work-around, not an intentional design choice.

Thank you! Rachel and Pamela, seeing your pictures is putting me at ease. Lospoblanos, love the websites you gave. Prettyhandygirl is pretty handy so I'm gonna bookmark her.

Brenda..... exactly.

no problem glad to try and help!

I did it with mine, but I'm not pleased. But my fixture is only off by about 6-8 inches so it looks dumb to my eye. I'm planning on having it moved so it's in the correct spot. I don't know why builders don't think of these things, or couldn't be bothered to figure out the center of the space!

@kimdee24
When contractors are installing ceiling fixtures, they generally center the fixture in the room. Unfortunately, when you add a china cabinet or such, your table needs to move to make room, thus pushing it out of center. Best idea: wait until you've figured out exactly which table you'll be using in the space and where it's going to go.

HI - You can swag and I don't think it's tacky looking . But you might not really need to , because now there are floor lamp chandeliers --- look at the ones at RestorationHardware .com - there wonderful ! If you prefer to swag look for another way to deal with the chain . Covering the chain with the fabric seems to date the look and I find it distracting . Too 80's shabby chic . Rather just have a pretty chain .

what did you decide to do lb101?

I think it's worth it to have the breaker box moved to where you want it. Swags tend to look like a temporary fix as Brenda said. It's something you'll always be glad you did.

Thanks again to all of you. Still, my preference is not to swag bc the distance is only about a foot. But since hubby will be doing the work, I guess he gets the last word. Once we make a final decision will let you all know..... and hopefully will post a picture.

I've got swag! The light over my dining table is swagged so it hangs in the middle of the table - about 15" over. And I have a small accent light in the corner of my living area that's also swagged - about 24" from the corner so it hangs over an end table. Both of these fixtures are in the same room (living/dining combo), and I think having two helps balance the room. The room has a vaulted ceiling, but the fixtures are hanging the same height off the floor.

If you're going to swag, pay attention to what color chain and wire you use. I have white ceilings so I chose white chain and "clear" wire. I wanted to sort of have the illusion that the lights are floating, rather than noticing the chain/wire. Well, I guess that holds true whether the lights are hanging straight down or swagged...

If I allow 36" of space around my dining table and I center my chandelier on my table, it is not centered in the windows. Since I live alone and rarely have company, I think I may center it in the windows until I have company then move the table farther away from the walls and swag the chandelier so that it is centered on the table instead of the windows. I don't know if that is a classy solution but I can not think of another.

Another great thread. I have a decision to make.

I love what you did here! What pieces did you buy to complete this look? I really want to avoid the chain look as our fixture is very modern!

Thanks. We are happy with the setup. I took the chandelier rods to the hardware store and started playing adult LEGO’s in the plumbing section until I found something that worked. I added the hook to support the weight.

Shhh, don't tell anybody... The electrician based the location of both hanging lamps in our bedroom based on original furniture. New furniture left the lamps not centered over nightstands.
We swagged them. Just a few inches. Doesn't bother me, at all. But off center lights would have bothered me forever.

ps, love the ingenious solution you devised.

I finally got the fixture in place earlier this summer.

and, it looks awesome. congratulations!

Thank you Oliviag!

Sometimes it's just what you have to do. I did it because the cost of moving the electrical box and patching & repainting the ceiling far outweighed the benefit. I don't see any problem with it.