10 Chandeliers for People Who Don't Like Chandeliers

I've never considered myself a chandelier person. Perhaps it was too much exposure to Liberace at an impressionable age. Whatever the reason, I find most of them a bit too goopy and pretentious for my taste.

But chandeliers actually play a valuable role in an interior. They produce ample light (often quite flattering), provide an anchor and a focal point in a room, and can lower the perceived ceiling height, so a table or seating group feels more intimate.

Happily, there are lots of chandeliers out there that manage to keep the glitz factor firmly in check. All of them eliminate the crystals in favor of humbler materials, which feels more contemporary to me. Here are 10 of my favorites, but feel free to suggest your own.

Regina Andrew Scalloped Wood Bead Chandelier - $1,247.50 » I find beaded chandeliers so much more appealing than crystal ones. This model would look wonderful in a beach house or country home, and could be interesting paired with an antique dining set — to soften any traditional edges in the room.


I really like the design of this Quadralli No. 331440 Linear Chandelier. It would look great in an Arts and Crafts interior but would be equally at home in a contemporary or traditional setting. Each bulb is surrounded by scrims of white crepe and shimmering organza, lending a softness to the light that's instantly alluring.


Oly Studio Isa Hardwood Chandelier » Oly was the first manufacturer that got me thinking differently about chandeliers, and this design had a lot to do with it. I love the shape, the patina and the dangling wooden bits. It seems to be poking fun at the conventions of the chandelier, while being a handsome design on its own.


Introduced in 1997, Ingo Maurer's Zettel'z 5 Chandelier looks a little like an explosion in a paper factory. Eighty notes are clipped to wires: 31 are printed with expressions of love and desire in various languages, while 49 are left blank, inviting the user to jot down his or her own sentiments.

It took me a while to warm up to this piece, but I love the interactive nature of the design and the way it involves the owner in its creation. Plus it's a great conversation starter!


Twig Chandelier, 6-Light, Small » This might look like a hot mess to some people. But in the right setting, it's divine. Warm and captivating, this chandelier commands attention without ostentation or excess, just the primal allure of nature.


I'm a sucker for the beach, so I couldn't resist the siren call of this Southampton Large Chandelier. The pendant shape is beautifully proportioned, and I like the way the pearlescent shells swivel and sway in the breeze.


Salento 6-Light Chandelier - $375 » This chandelier has a stripped-down, Swedish country sensibility that's quite endearing. The arms are like flourishes at the end of a signature, with subtle little loops that culminate in vintage-looking electrified candles. This is one of the few chandeliers I think works well without shades. The price is very attractive, too.


As I said, I'm a fan of Oly Studio's chandeliers, and this Jenny Chandelier has always tickled me. Strands of abalone shells are treated to an antique silver finish, giving this fixture a surreal quality that's a little over the top but infinitely endearing.


Neo Baroque Chandelier » Wirework flourished as an art form in the 19th century and is celebrated today in this whimsical piece. Grand in scale (and ambition), this design pokes fun at the opulent chandeliers of yesteryear while making its own contribution to that tradition.


Milk Bottle Chandelier » The Dutch design company Droog has been turning out modern masterpieces since 1993. Its Milk Bottle Chandelier continues in that tradition, with everyday objects elevated into works of art. Provocative and astonishingly simple, this is a fitting choice for a contemporary interior.

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