Monday 23 September 2013

Old is New with Chandeliers (Article taken from Houzz)




Chandeliers are usually seen in grand traditional homes. But given this statement, it doesn’t mean that you can’t put one in your home. 


You can install chandeliers and add elegance to any space. But have you ever wondered about the history of these lighting fixtures? 

Chandeliers are fixtures that usually have two or more arms that carry lights. They are mounted on your ceilings. There are different kinds of chandeliers, but all of them give that very same effect for elegance. Modern ones are very flamboyant, with lots and lots of lamps and complicated displays of murals, to give more illumination to the room with its many convoluted patterns. 

The first chandeliers were utilized back in the medieval ages as decorations in churches and abbeys to give more illumination to vast halls. Their first look was a simple wooden cross that has some spikes on which the candles will be laid. This whole construction will be lifted up to a particular height hanging on a rope that is also suspended from a hook. 

After the fifteenth century, more ornate versions of chandeliers showed up. The most popular designs back then were those of crown designs and were commonly found in palaces and residences of the extremely rich. It was used as a status symbol. 

When the world reached the eighteenth century, brass versions came into being, with long, curved branches and carries many candles, and were also most usually found in houses of merchants. 

It was also in the same century that glassmaking skills were developed, and this said enhancement led to the cheaper production of lead crystal. Crystal has highly refractive glass and it scatters light in proportions other forms of glass are incapable of doing. Crystal was added to the chandeliers’ conglomeration, and the famous crystal chandelier started to exist. 

Until the end of the twentieth century these lighting fixtures were referred to as an item for decoration in a specific room. 

Chandeliers can be added to any style space adding that touch of old world elegance. One of my favorite combinations is a modern space with a very traditional chandelier as the focal point. 


Thursday 12 September 2013

Exhibiting at Burghley Horse Trials Burghley Lifestyle Pavillion 2013

The first time Ive ever done an exhibition or stand for Opera Chandeliers and what a spectacular place to start!!!The grounds of
Burghley House! 
The event was the Burghley Horse Trials 2013 a 4 day event of Dressage, Cross Country & Show Jumping. The greatest horse event held in in the World!! 
We were based in the grounds of the house in one of the Various Pavillions on site. The weather was fantastic! 28 degrees on Thursday and sunshine throughout most of the four days!!150,000 horse and shopping enthusiasts passed through the groundsand we were busy busy right from the get go!! :).....




Burghley House.


 Walking through the sleeping tents in the morning past the grand house to get breakfast was quite lovely!!


Set up took quite some time as we were first timers :( But with my little smiley helpers


We had nothing but positive and great comments about our stand! ( Sometimes gasps of how lovely!!) it seems that everyone loves Chandeliers :)



For Burghley we sold a mix of Chandeliers Homeware (with a Horsie Country theme of course) & Mirrors


Oh and some fabulous outdoor lanterns for Gate posts


A lovely selection of our silver ware and Pewter









Whos that lurking in the corner he gets everwhere!



So while we were working hard  indoors selling selling
everyone was making the most of the lovely weather and events and why not!!



So to the event oh and yes the horses. The Parade of riders. Well what can I say very nice!! Ladies...





Nicola Wilson GB Olympic Silver Medalist came 11th overall at Burghley. We were supporting her especially as she and her husband are now one of our customers :) 

My Daughter Scarlett joined us on Saturday with friend Vinnie. Lovely to see other family members!! Thanks for your support!



The 4 days passed very quickly.Before we knew it it was Sunday and as tradition has it the Spitfire fly past... just managed to run out of the tent as I heard it approaching. There is nothing more awesome than the sound of the spitfire.

 My head was spinning by the Sunday we had some great sales and have made many new contacts that we hope to do future business with. I started delivering on Tuesday and in that first day I visited some fabulous houses that are now being furnished with our Lights, Mirrors and Chandeliers!!! 



The overall winner of the Burghley Horse Trials 2013 Jock Paget.





So will be back next year? You bet!! My only regret is that I didnt get much chance to shop myself :( as the shopping here is amazing!!.So many individual stands and products that you cant  buy in the average high street shop.

Hope to see you next year Burghley people.