Lighting up...............

Do you remember to 'look up' when antiquing and thrift shopping?  Amazing what often hangs above one's head and, more often than not, it's beautiful lighting fixtures.  I'll take you on a little trip around SuzAnna's Antiques today and point out some of the beautiful chandeliers I discovered hanging around last week!

Above picture displays a gorgeous glass and bronze-toned fixture with the prettiest grapevine etched globes - and what appear to be perfect prisms. Can see this one in a Tuscan styled dining room above a chunky hand-carved Italian farm table..............groaning under bowls of homemade pasta and sauce, bottles of a great Chianti waiting to be poured into country-style glassware!  Notice how lovely it looks against the old barn wood wall.

This one reminds me of Dutch Delft china - very lovely, and would work with many different decorating styles from formal to shabby chic with the white.  How about that fabulous bird cage too, they are also often hanging from the rafters.

More contemporary, the metal floral shade would be perfect in a girl's bedroom or a sun room perhaps.  The white candolier could light up the evenings on an open porch, or hang from tree branch during dinner on the deck.

This fixture has that Victorian flair, especially the very elegant fluted and patterned glass shades.  The metalwork Acanthus leaves are lovely.  I see this hanging above needlepoint covered dark wood chairs, William Morris patterned wallpaper - a warm and cozy room for a holiday dinner.


Very different in looks is the open woven shade above - could see that in a beach house setting with the deep blue ocean in the background, or in a pool house with wicker lounge chairs and tropical print cushions.

My favorite, the one I would love to bring home of course! The French metal formal chandelier with the gorgeous 'feathers' at the top, dangling crystals and black candle sleeves........but made less formal mixed with simple country French decor, linen curtain panels, French grey painted pieces, and casual slip covered furniture.  

So don't forget, look up to discover precious lighting, birdcages, chairs, and other items which may be swinging above your head just out of sight.  You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can find.