“There’s nothing sexier than the right lighting,” says interior designer Kelly Wearstler. “Chandeliers are like beautiful pieces of jewelry that pull an outfit together to make a singular, bold statement.” We couldn’t agree more—chandeliers can define the ambience of a room. Whether it’s a simple pendant that provides a minimalist, modern touch or a showstopping crystal fixture that exudes a regal elegance, a chandelier instantly catches the eye and sets a design tone. The trick is determining the correct size for the space. Wearstler tends to add chandeliers to most of her projects in unexpected ways—like the Sputnik variety at the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant in Manhattan and a sculptural number in the living room of her 1934 Georgian manor—all while striking a balance in relation to room size. AD asked Wearstler for her tips on obtaining the perfect fit.
Take into account other elements of the room.“If you look at a chandelier on its own, out of the context of the room, it might be an amazing object, but it may not harmonize in the way it needs to once in the overall composition,” says Wearstler. “If there are a number of bold statement pieces already in the room, a simple chandelier may be more effective. Conversely, if the room decor is more minimal, a bold sculptural chandelier will be the signature wow. There should be hierarchy within a space. Too many starlets in one room can create needless drama.”
Determine the fixture’s diameter.“As a general rule of thumb, you can add the length and width of a room together and then convert that figure to inches for a safe determination of size. If placing over a table, keep a chandelier’s diameter within 12 to 15 inches from the edge of the table.”
A chandelier in a hotel lobby of Wearstler’s design.
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