The purchase of a  crystal chandelier is the beginning of a family heirloom. These hanging works of art will be passed down in your family for generations to come. Their beauty is timeless, and every chandelier crafted of fine crystal has a fascinating story of its manufacture and artistry. Many people today don’t think that crystals are all that special. Our culture is mostly concerned wit

The innermost chamber should  be lit in a way that makes us feel the most at peace. For insomniacs, it is recommended that they remove electronics such as televisions or computers from the bedroom to make this room most suitable for sleep. A light by the bed for reading might be necessary as reading helps the mind relax. Looking at a tv screen stimulates the mind and makes it difficult to fall sl

Copper is a valuable substance these days. Pennies made before 1982, which are 95 percent copper, are worth more than their monetary value. Copper kettles and pans are eye candy in the kitchen as long as they’re polished. Well, as long as your copper sink’s patina finish doesn’t get damaged, the copper requires no maintenance at all. Scrubbing or polishing the sink will actually

Vintage light fixtures are all the rage right now as much as they were a hundred years ago. I suspect the steampunks are responsible. Steampunk is a trend that has been in the making since the early 90s that exploded in the mid 2000s. Self proclaimed steampunks all over the states are investing in Victorian furniture and fixtures, and modifying their laptops and cell phones to look like inventions

Lights on the house aren’t just for the holidays. Patio lighting creates a warm ambient space for friends to gather and watch fireflies. Front stoops provide gentle lighting for a new couple to gaze upon each other one last time before they part. Deprived of outdoor lighting, we would crash into our neighbors’ mailboxes after sunset. Burglars would feel safer prowling neighborhoods. Pa

Before the modern ceiling fan, to live in luxury the upper crust needed servants to fan them. There has always been a desire to manipulate the air for pleasure. Hand fans have been used in ballrooms  to flirt, in ceremonial dances, and during hot summers without air conditioning. Modern ceiling fans have not abandoned the centuries of magic and mystique. The candlelit ceiling fan featured above u

It might seem like you can just hang a chandelier and your living room will magically transform into the Metropolitan Opera House. I know from too much experience, it won’t, but a girl can dream. I must admit, however, that my old apartment in New York City with four mismatched living room couches shoved in a corner, a table covered in plastic bags, and gentlemen roommates playing beer pong,

If you make your own mosaic, you get a weekend of arts and crafts and an increase on your house’s value. Mosaic art dates back to ancient civilization. The Romans decorated their extravagant public bathhouses with mosaics. In these times, few people could afford to bathe at home, and going to the bathhouse was a  daily social practice. Nowadays, we turn our spas, our kitchens, and our entry

Get ready to delve into the depths of your kitchen sink. There is a lot of controversy revolving around the question “What is sink gauge?” These alluring mysteries of how gauge works and why a lower gauge is a good investment are not tough to crack. For that summer remodel, look into finding a stainless steel sink with a gauge no higher than 18. The lower the gauge, the less likely the