My husband and I have moved into an apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows. We want to put the dining table next to the window, but there's no wiring for a chandelier above the table. What do you suggest?
First, good on you for not letting the electrical engineer decide where you place your furniture.
The dining table is where it all happens, from casual family breakfasts to leisurely evenings with friends. Flooding the space with natural light helps you save electricity during the day, but what about the evenings?
Large lights above tables have become the norm, but light from above can create a glare and make the your dining setting harsh. So your dilemma can work to your advantage. How about suspending a series of candleholders at different levels from the ceiling?
Pottery Barn has a selection of outdoor lamps like the Malta Lantern that would work well in a cluster. For an Arabian flavour, try suspending Moroccan-style lanterns in brass or with tinted glass. They'll cast patterned shadows on the table and floor below. Consider the Mallory Pierced lantern, also from Pottery Barn.
Suspending candleholders form the ceiling is relatively easy. Drill eye bolts into the ceiling and hang the lanterns with chains or fishing wire.
The key is to make sure the cluster of candle holders is installed at the right height, and with each of the four or five candles at different heights, this is trickier than it sounds. Have someone sit across you at the table and make sure the lowest candle is slightly above head height. Also make sure they aren't too high. You need to light them up, after all.
You can also place a series of large candelabras on the dining table; combine these with matching or contrasting wall mounted candleholders. Sculptural objects work best - remember you have to look at them during the day too, so turn these into an art feature on your wall and tablescape. The Frond Candle Sconce from Crate and Barrel will work a treat. (Be sure to invest in dripless candles.)
To enhance the soft glow from the candles, clad your ceiling with a reflective material such as a mirror, rolled aluminium sheets or even just a light coloured, high-gloss paint.
Another idea is an accent floor lamp placed near the dining table. If the sight of trunking doesn't bother you, a good electrician can always create a new ceiling socket for you. Better still, if your space has a false ceiling this wiring can be done above the plasterboard.
Pallavi Dean is an award-winning independent design consultant who practices in the UAE. If you have a question for her, email homes@thenational.ae
