With the exception of my Ikea nightstand, I think it's safe to say that nothing ugly has ever come out of Sweden. Every Swedish woman I've met is drop-dead gorgeous. And as for the men, don't even get me started on my cousin-in-law Markus. So if Swedish home magazine Skona Hem is telling me that chandeliers are where the action is, then heck, who am I to argue?
The secret to making this look work is to juxtapose the chandelier with unexpected simplicity in the furnishings. This might take the form of austere black and white as above, or a charming rusticism as below. Of course a Versailles-style wall of gilt mirrors never hurts either.
Don't forget the requisite portraits of dour-looking ancestors. Bonus points if you have ladies from both the early and the late 19th century. Triple bonus points if you style your hair in ringlets and sport a lace fichu.
What a striking silhouette this black beaded number creates! Plus the half-and-half paint job here presents the perfect solution if you're tempted but frightened by dark walls.
Textiles adorning this bedframe would be overkill. Leaving it bare builds a striking interior architecture--a space within a space--that offsets the chandelier even more beautifully.
I'm having a total 'Clue' moment with this one: 'It was Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the Grecian marble bust'. But mostly I poke fun because I'm seething with jealousy over those tile floors and those mile-high windows.
It's a bold move indeed to hang this brass and crystal stunner over the kitchen work table. But why not live dangerously? When you're a tall, willowy Swedish chef, you're of course graceful enough to avoid hitting your head while chopping veggies and marinating fish.
Tell me: Opulent chandeliers, yay or nay? Hunky Swedish cousins-in-law, yay or nay?
P.S. I have a serious side too--check out my thoughts on living a life of intention over at MakeunderMyLife.
All images courtesy of Skona Hem.
I love the last picture of the kitchen with the chandelier over the island work space, so beautiful!
Posted by: little house on Green | June 18, 2009 at 07:29 AM
Yay. Definitely, Yay.
Posted by: Ms. Jenn | June 18, 2009 at 07:36 AM
So completely perfect! That kitchen!
Posted by: TheBeautyFile | June 18, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Lurve!!
Yay.
Posted by: PS~Erin | June 18, 2009 at 08:02 AM
As I was making my way down, I kept saying, "oh that's my favorite;" "wait! that's my favorite;" "but now i love that one more so it's my favorite." Point of my story? I LOVE them all!!
Nice work, Anne!
Posted by: Kristin @ Contented Me | June 18, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Swoon!
Posted by: Jane Flanagan | June 18, 2009 at 08:10 AM
yay all the way if you have a home like any of these!! in my house? not so much. although, i think they are fab anywhere.
Posted by: georgia | June 18, 2009 at 08:15 AM
How lovely! Especially adore the third image. Reminds me that I have a chandelier post that has been in the works for months -- simply need more hours in the day :)
Hope you're having a great week, Anne!
xo
Posted by: {tig} | June 18, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Yes to both. Gorgeous chandeliers-I love the one in the kitchen!
Posted by: Vanessa | June 18, 2009 at 08:53 AM
These are all so pretty. I ran across that black/white paint job last night and was going to use it in a post. But yours is so much better!
Don't these pictures make you want to move to Sweden? Because everything there must be as beautiful. I agree--barring a couple ill-chosen ikea pieces, everything from Sweden is gorgeous.
Posted by: christina | June 18, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Dang, that last one was actually my fave!! But of course, I barely even cleared 5 feet, so, I might not hang it over my kitchen work table that way!
And yes, I wholeheartedly agree with those beautiful floor tiles!
Posted by: jen laceda | June 18, 2009 at 09:03 AM
I just adore the dark contrasts with the white! Stunning!
Posted by: Emily | June 18, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Wow! Love that wall with the partial black on it! It looks amazing. Loving the last picture too. Amazing. I love the green crystals!
Was already on makeundermylife and loved your post!
Posted by: Camila | June 18, 2009 at 10:07 AM
yay and yay
Posted by: callie grayson | June 18, 2009 at 10:29 AM
love all of these examples but i'm especially taken with the white and black walls. very nice.
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | June 18, 2009 at 12:26 PM
i've died and gone to chandelier heaven! you know what's funny, i never get tired of staring at beautiful chandeliers. every style, every size, color etc. always adds a completely different vibe to a space. love them, love them! :)
Posted by: robin pulsifer | June 18, 2009 at 12:34 PM
If I had it my way every room in my house would have a chandelier - boo to 8ft ceilings! :-(
Posted by: Amy | June 18, 2009 at 01:40 PM
I'm a huge fan of chandeliers, especially with the worn white interiors. Thanks for another beautiful day of posts, Anne. :)
Posted by: vicki | June 18, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Opulent chandeliers, yay...for sure!
Posted by: Carol Ann | June 18, 2009 at 06:06 PM
You have so much more brain power than me, Anne!
Love all of the chandeliers, the mirrors, the chesterfield sofas! Wow! Sorry, I know this is a comment about more than one post, but all I can say is wow.
xo
Brooke
Posted by: velvet and linen | June 18, 2009 at 06:55 PM
I think the wonderful thing about these is they're so unexpected in these stark spaces. You always imagine chandeliers in opulent spaces but they're surprisingly arresting in simple spaces.
Posted by: ambika | June 19, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Um...like the style of your writing.
Posted by: jordan france | November 12, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Nice creations . I will must visit it .
Posted by: Gabriela Murphy | April 21, 2011 at 01:56 AM
Wow! I can't believe it. Wonderful .
Posted by: Gabriela Murphy | May 02, 2011 at 02:02 AM
Happy to see your comments, the second picture is from a flat I staged in 2007. As you write my intention was to simplify everything in the room as to give the chandelier enough visual space.
The walls were originally babyblue and the painting on the wall I made in this very room just before taking the pictures. Love frpm Anne in Sweden at lindhusen.se
Posted by: Anne Lindhusen | July 26, 2011 at 12:26 PM