The chandelier in the Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboos in Oman measures eight meters in diameter weighs over eight tons and comprises 60,000 crystal elements, equivalent to 1,122 bulbs.
The largest luminaire of this type hangs in one of the hotels in Žilina. The certified record holder is two meters wide and 1.8 m high and weighs 413 kg. It consists of 9,000 pieces of cut and polished minerals and contains a hundred light sources.
The Givenchy Royal Hanover eight-light silver chandelier, designed by architect William Kent and created by jeweler Balthasar Friedrich Behrens in 1736, was auctioned in July 2011 at Christie’s for £5,753,250!
Functional and Aesthetic
Of course, you don’t need a giant or extremely expensive chandelier at home. However, there are several factors to consider when furnishing your household. An interior architect’s golden rule is to evaluate the room’s profile and make sure to choose suitable sources—the chandelier itself primarily has an aesthetic function.
Therefore, bare-bulb chandeliers are trending. They can be understood as a reference to crystal chandeliers in a more modern form with candle imitations. However, there are no crystals that reflect the light, and besides the Baroque abundance, they decreased in symmetry.
The CTA Golden Rule
When purchasing light bulbs, consider their shape, surface (clear, matte, or colored), and visual effect. For example, filament bulbs provide a nostalgic glowing effect reminiscent of tungsten fibers.
Remember that the chandelier shouldn’t be the primary source of light in the room. The golden rule is expressed by the abbreviation CTA, where C stands for a central light source, which can be a matching or stylistic chandelier. T represents task lighting for smaller areas, and A denotes ambient or decorative light.
Keep in mind that the ceiling height of prefabricated apartments typically ranges from 250 cm to 270 cm. For larger pendant chandeliers, vertical positioning might be necessary, and an adjustable lampshade can be beneficial.
Intensity and Color Temperature
An exact indication of the recommended light intensity will facilitate planning. Approximately 300 lux per 1 m² are required for typical activities. That means that in a 20 m² living room, the sum of the luminous flux of the bulbs should be approximately 6,000 lumens.
However, it also depends on parameters such as the design of the outer lamp shade, the distance of light sources from individual places, the absorption properties of the surrounding areas, and the angle. Bulbs directed upwards have a weaker effect but visually enlarge the room.
Another observed aspect is the color temperature. Warm white light with calming effects (it appears yellow) is gained up to 3,000 Kelvin, 3,500-5,000 Kelvin has neutral light, and cold light (white) from 5,500 Kelvin strengthens concentration.
LED It Be
Today, LED lights (Light Emitting Diode) clearly dominate the market. Light-emitting diodes consume eight times less than conventional “Edisons.” Another advantage is that they are more durable. The most frequently mentioned lower limit of 15,000 hours (compared to 2,000 hours) means almost two years of non-stop lighting.
LED lamps are more tolerant of frequent switching on and off; they provide full brightness immediately after being turned on. They can be used for specific purposes, are resistant to mechanical contact, do not contain toxic substances, and emit minimal heat.
Text: Miki Kočan jr., Photo: Times of Oman/Saleh Al-Shaibany, Palace Hotel Polom, Unsplash.com
