25 September, 2015

Let There Be Light

When you're married to a retired engineer there are always interesting projects going on at home and even more interesting and creative solutions happening!  It was time to change the chandelier in our foyer, the one that's been hanging there for fourteen years was never exactly what we had wanted in the first place, not to mention the fact that the brass plating was turning color. But, how to remove a fixture that's suspended 19 feet high?  Mr. Goodneedle constructed scaffolding, he even clamped the ladder to the platform. I can write about this now because it all turned out to be okay and without injury, but, I assure you, I thought I would suffer a stroke before the chandelier was succesfully replaced!  So, back to the chandelier replacement itself... what, exactly, did we want for a fixture? The retired engineer-turned-woodworker had an idea. For quite some time now he's been keeping the wood lathe very busy. 
Here's the new chandelier, hand crafted in its entirety from cherry wood (except for the innards, the metal conduit and wiring). He added a ceiling medallion while the scaffolding was erected. There's a soft "down light" incorporated into the bottom turned portion of the fixture, I didn't get that in the photo above.
Here is a closer shot of the fixture, in all of its hand-rubbed glory!
Yep, this is it... just what we wanted, lovingly made to order.
Let there be light. And there was light. And it was good.
Life is Good!

13 comments:

AnnieO said...

Stunning fixture--your mister should rightly be very proud of his design, execution, and installation of such beauty!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Oh, it is lovely!

cityquilter grace said...

now that is one handy dude....you chose good mrs g....

Laura Chaney said...

That is a lovely, lovely chandelier. Absolutely beautiful.

Jacqueline said...

What a great guy you have there.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Engineer or no engineer that installation looks scary

Paula, the quilter said...

Wow, that is wonderful. It's nice to have such a handy person around. My kitchen ceiling is 21 feet high and we need to replace the ceiling fan/light combo because the motor in the fan is wearing out. We will have to do free standing scaffolding.

Lindah said...

That is fabulous! What a talented man you have.
Oh, but I would have been on edge, too, until the ladder was down and put away.

Janet O. said...

I can understand your worries during installation--looks scary! But what a magnificent, one-of-a-kind creation you have gracing your home now! Absolutely love it! Kudos to Mr. G.!!

Anne Heidi said...

Your new chandelier is gorgeous!

barbara woods said...

I love it but know what you mean about nearly having a stroke

Marilyn said...

It's just beautiful, what talent he has.

Tanya said...

Beautiful!