Lighten Up! Summer Solstice and Chandelier Lighting

At the summer solstice, we're all enjoying the light for the longest day of the year! Different cultures and countries celebrate the solstice in different ways. In England, crowds gather to watch the sun rise over Stonehenge. In France, they light bonfires for Feux de la Saint-Jean celebrations. But whatever the party, it's all about the light! As we've just received our latest container with more than 150 vintage French chandeliers (enough to light up the Eiffel Tower!) we're thinking how lucky we are that we can sparkle up even the darkest days with decorative  chandelier lighting. I don't recommend hanging any of our EuroLux Antiques vintage chandeliers outside for a long period of time, but this gorgeous array of chandelier lighting for a vintage-themed wedding took my breath away. (My post on vintage weddings gave more wedding decor and gift ideas.) Here's my hunky husband Greg hanging up chandeliers in the gallery. We always check the wiring on all our vintage lighting, and rewire any that are a little frayed or worn, before putting them out for sale. The new container from Europe kept him busy! [caption id=attachment_1784 align=alignright width="300"] Vintage 1950 French Chandelier[/caption] A stylish chandelier always adds character to a room, but people sometimes wonder about the best size to buy. They don't want a chandelier that swamps the room, but a too small chandelier can look a bit lost in a space. [caption id=attachment_1785 align=alignleft width="300"] Pretty vintage 1950 French Chandelier - Very summery![/caption] My advice is to take the size of your room, for example 15 feet by 21 feet, and add the two together. The sum here is 36. Translate that to inches (in this case 36 inches) and you've got a good guideline for the approximate diameter of chandelier to choose. If in doubt, veer towards a larger size chandelier. When suspending the chandelier lighting over a dining table, it usually looks best if the chandelier is 50% or more of the table width. Allow for it to hang with at least 30 to 33 inches clearance above the table top. See my other tips to light your home beautifully, with chandeliers, wall sconces, and pendant fixtures. How are you celebrating the summer solstice? Tell us in the comments box below!