Once upon a time I tried to save money on a chandelier.
I bought a very cheap one online.
I paid to have it hung.
It didn’t look right.
I added more crystals.
It still didn’t look right.
I taunted me every time I walked by it. It seemed to say, “You made a mistake! I don’t fit here.” Then I imagined it laughing at me.
Then one day, I said, “You are RIGHT!”
I marched down to a local store and bought a vintage chandelier.
I then paid a SECOND time to have the vintage chandelier hung here.
The moral of the story is of course, make sure you LOVE it before you buy it. Some bargains end up costing you more money in the end.
I love the new one!! And the old one is in a box, while I decide what it’s fate. Who’s laughing now Big Boy? bwaaa haaa (evil laugh)
And now for the legal stuff.
Note: If you are thinking of installing a chandelier in your bathroom, it is considered a hazard to install one over your tub.
Some electricians won’t even do it without a release.
I am NOT recommending you do this or endorsing such reckless behavior. Do so at your OWN risk.
I would be cautious of doing anything that would cause my house not to pass inspection due to my home owner’s insurance. If something ever happened, it could invalidate your insurance-at least that is what my agent told me, but she might be trying to scare me.
Is the first picture the new chandelier and the second picture the old one that you had taken down? I would do a rust finish on the second one since it’s all black and find some vintage looking sleeves for the light stems. I am sure you will find a creative way to use the one you took down!
Oh, I love your new one. It is very similar to one I wish I had bought for my powder room. Still will get a new one eventually. I am bad about settling for something I don’t really love that is cheap. Funny we have a chandy over our tub and nothing was ever said about it being dangerous.
i am with you on this one and couldn’t agree more. Enjoy your bath!
It looks beautiful there. I have a chandelier I bought in the Czech Republic and planned to hang it over our claw foot tub. The electrician wouldn’t do it because of the possibility that someone using the tub would grab it if they slid in the tub. Apparently it’s totally against code here and reputable electricians will not do it.
Oh you rebel you! I love a chandy over a tub! My sister has one too, and it makes the room!!
Love that you got what you wanted in the end 🙂
I too have a chandelier over my tub. What truly could happen if it was hung right unless you are trying to swing naked on it!
The second on is beautiful. Sigh… alas some of us have to learn the hard way to appreciate the lesson. Been there… done that.
My Husband is the Building Official for our County, so I must abide by the rules 🙂
It took me a long time, but I too figured out all deals “aren’t” deals. I think if everyone would only buy what they loved the world would be very pretty. The new chandy is very pretty Anita.
I love it Anita, and being a bit of a rebel never hurt anyone, LOL. I have been looking and looking for lighting on the internet. I have found pieces that I love and some I say maybe. I am going to be certain I love it before we hang it that is for sure. I have made that mistake in our other house too.
Cynthia
I love your vintage chandelier. I too made the mistake of buying a chandy that was inexpensive, thinking it would do. Well, it never hung straight, no matter how I tried. Drove me crazy, so down it came. I then bought a better quality one and love it. Anyone want to buy a slightly used, off kilter chandy? Just kiddin’.
I love the new old one! Vintage chandi’s are the best! And legal-shmegal. Whoever made up that silly recommendation doesn’t know anything about what looks good and what makes us feel all warm and loved while we soak in our bubble baths!
The new chandelier really is beautiful and, for that matter, the entire bathroom! I, too, have purchased a thing or two and wondered why I made the choices. I think we are all guilty of that from time to time.
I think we’ve all done something similar. Your new (old) chandelier is gorgeous.
My sister is a general contractor and she has mentioned things to me that I may be planning but which aren’t terribly safe. Like the cute DIY idea I saw on-line for a making a cell phone charger holder out of a plastic milk bottle, cut to fit beneath the electrical cover and covered in fabric. Seemed like a great idea to me. To my surprise, my sister said, “Don’t do that!”
A week later, a metal yardstick leaning against the wall in my kitchen, fell over across the wall, hitting a protruding plug. Oh my gosh, there was an flash of light, the metal yardstick was apparently so hot, it burnt a spot on a curtain. There was a hole burnt into the metal, too! I’ve never seen anything like that happen.
Now, I see sister’s point about hanging something from a plug-in. But I don’t get the chandelier over the tub issue. If it fell, it would no longer be attached to the electrical wires, right? I’ve never heard of anyone being hit in the head by a falling light fixture. But, and I’m laughing here, I have never heard of a metal yardstick burning a hole in someone’s kitchen curtains either.
I am sure I wouldn’t worry about the chandelier falling and I’m sure I will lean a yardstick against the wall again. The odds are so slight. I will not, however, ever go to bed with a candle burning, leave the doors unlocked or the keys in the car. That would be silly.
The first chandelier was pretty, but this new one is gorgeous! I think the whole issue with lights over the bathtub, is that someone could stand up in the tub, reach up and touch the light and get electrocuted. I think with a high enough ceiling, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Anita,
Exquisite!!!
I have a chandelier in the Guest Room!
I have already told my entire family…
should we ever list this home for $ale. . .the chandelier goes with me!!!
It is a gift I purchased with some ca$h
from my Dad one year at Christmas!!!
Enjoy your beautiful elegant find, dear friend!!!
Now about the other chandelier. . .Craig’s List???
Fondly,
Pat
Love the new Chandy! I have one in our Master Bathroom over our tub. We take showers, so I think we are safe. If I were to sell our home, the fixture will be the first thing I’d pack!
I also have Chandys in our Dining room, Master Bedroom, Office, Laundry room, and Foyer. And the only reason I only have them in those rooms is that I haven’t found the right ones for the other rooms. Im always looking!!
Did I ever tell you I just love your blog, I think I did, but I’ll tell you again. I LOVE YOUR BLOG
Arleen, you are SO SO SWEET!! Thank you. I agree on the chandeliers, you can’t have too many.
That is so beautiful! I love that tub. My husband is an electrician so that would not fly in my house. If you are building a house or remodeling (or selling) it would not pass inspection. My husband told me it was “restricted space” . You must have done some fast talking with that electrician. It didn’t work for me and I slept with mine LOL.
Oh Gloria, that is a hoot!! Oddly enough the electrician didn’t give me any flack, and I didn’t offer any ‘incentives’ either.
Hey Anita! I absolutely LOVE your chandy! I am a chandelier fanatic myself. They make every room that they are in just seem extra special. As always ,everything is beautiful! I so love reading your blog and think your home is just beautiful!!!
What a lovely master bath. I’d love to have a big room with a wonderful soaking tub. I don’t even need a chandelier. 😉
You are so right! I think making decorating mistakes are just a part of learning. LOVE the vintage chandy, Anita! Your home is beautiful!
Love the new chandy…I think we all sometimes make that mistake…I wanted one over my tub and the codes here would not allow that during construction…but hard getting an electrician to install it after the fact…
Lovely chandelier. Our builder’s electrician said no to hanging one over the tub in our bathroom. Apparently, if you can stand on anything and touch the chandelier, it’s not safe. Then why is any light fixture or electrical outlet safe in a bathroom if you’re crazy enough to touch it while standing in water? Who knows!
If you want to sell the first one, I will buy it
Brenda, I gave it away already.