Rustic or country designs make the home inviting and more comfortable. It is reminiscent of ski vacations and log cabins and mountain lodges. Other than a stone fireplace, a perfect accent to your country home is a rustic chandelier. These lighting fixtures are more than just plain lamps, they are a work of art with their skillfully hand made designs and they give a more natural feel.
Most rustic chandeliers are handmade using a wide variety of materials. These materials include steel and other natural materials such as wood, antlers, rawhide and silver mica. The distinct quality of these chandeliers is that they closely resemble nature, usually of dark color that resembles cast iron or weathered metal.
Price range
If you know where to look, you will find chandeliers that are inexpensive. Prices can range from as little as a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. It depends on the materials that were used, the design and the designer. If you don’t want to spend so much, you can easily make your own.
Tips On Making Your Own Rustic Chandelier
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If you have a wrought iron chandelier, you can use rawhide and leather lampshades to add a western feel to the room.
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Natural wax candles provide ambient illumination that goes perfectly with wooden walls and floors. However, using real candles can be dangerous and inconvenient. Alternatively, you can use LED lights. They give the same effect and are energy efficient. Also, there are many electric lights available in the market that mirrors the look of real candles and imitates their illumination.
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You can use gas lamps instead of candles. This will add ingenuity to your project and an old world feel to the room.
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Wood is another important element in rustic design. Choose a wood that is natural such as cedar, pine, or chestnut.
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When you create your chandelier, cover the lights with lamp shades made of skins of animals such as skins of cows, bears, deer, raccoons, or even wild boars or pigs. These are available in your local hardware store. If not, you can find various suppliers and sellers of these natural products online.
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If you are an avid hunting fan, you can use the antlers of a deer, moose or an elk to make rustic antler chandeliers. To add more details, you can add natural beads, arrowheads and whatever accessories that can be found in the wild. The main goal is to make it look and feel natural.
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Old bottles and vases with interesting shapes and colors can also be used in your chandelier project. Drill holes in the bottles and vase and using a fishing line and create hoops that can be draped over the ceiling hooks. Drape them over your existing lighting fixture. Antique glass can create a striking effect that would resemble the effects given by crystal chandeliers.
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For safety reasons, have an electrician take care of the technical part of the project such as the wiring especially if you are not familiar with these things. This is to avoid short circuits and the risk of being electrocuted.