Hanging my Crystal Chandelier

    Who do I call on when I want a crystal chandelier cleaned?  I trust this job to my friend Anthony Cassano at Greenwich Metal Finishing in Stamford, CT.  I use his business frequently because he and his crew do a fabulous job polishing, refinishing, and repairing metal objects of all kinds.  But another service his company provides, and does so well, is washing and refurbishing chandeliers, a delicate and complex process, as you can well imagine.  With regular dusting, a chandelier doesn’t need to be cleaned very often.  In fact, the last time this one was professionally washed was more than 35 years ago, when I first moved into my home on Turkey Hill.  But, when I moved from Turkey Hill to my farm in Bedford, I decided it was the perfect time to brighten up my lighting fixtures.
    Greenwich Metal Finishing begins the job by cushioning and protecting all the crystals with layers of bubble wrap.  The chandelier is then removed from the ceiling, suspended in a protective crate, and transported to their workshop.  There, each crystal is catalogued, removed, washed, and polished.  Missing or broken crystals are replaced with exact matches from their extensive inventory.  Once the metal frame is cleaned, refinished, and rewired, the crystals are meticulously rehung in their original places with special gold wire.  Then, the crystals are cushioned and protected once more in bubble wrap and the sparkling chandelier is recrated for delivery and installation.  As you can see from the photos below, moving a chandelier is rather nerve wracking and I’m glad to have these fellows to entrust.

CHANDELIER INSTALLATION


This is Anthony Cassano sliding my crated chandelier out of the back of my cute, old Martha By Mail delivery truck.  The chandelier is actually suspended inside hanging from that iron pipe he’s holding onto.


Here they are standing on stepladders in order to lift the fixture up and out of the crate.  You can see how nicely padded the crystals are.


This is Landis Kauffman and Natalie Marchant.  They are very talented lighting designers who work for my company and are busy designing a whole new line of beautiful fixtures.


Here they are sketching and photographing my chandelier for inspiration.  I told them that it was just too fancy, so we’ll see what they come up with.


These are the parts used to hang the chandelier.  The pulley is necessary to lift and hoist it in place.


Because I wanted to hang the chandelier in a center hallway from the second floor ceiling, Anthony needs a very tall ladder.  He doesn’t seem to mind ladders or heights.


Here they are using the pulley and a rope to raise the chandelier to its proper height.  The whole thing weighs about 200 pounds and it’s definitely not something you want to let slip!


Here I am looking a little nervous.  With the chandelier at its proper height, it’s attached to a hanging chain and the excess links are removed.


Here it is – Grandmother Gilbert’s most beautiful and sparkling crystal chandelier.  Doesn’t it look perfect hanging here?

Comments

[Danielle Melnyczenko]

Just beautiful... thank you for sharing such a complicated and delicate process. Isn't it great to find tradesmen you can trust.

[Susan Kern]

It is beautiful, especially with the mirror reflecting the light.

[Jessica Chapin]

Utterly remarkable process and a simply breathtaking chandelier!

[Melissa DiStefano]

I love your crystal chandelier, it's just lovely!

PS - I am sure you know this, but your puppies just look to adorable in their costumes!

[Patia]

Gorgeous chandelier.

[Angela]

The chandelier is absolutely gorgeous. The cleaning process and delicate handling are very interesting.

[April]

That is a beautiful chandelier, hard to find beautiful antique ones anymore
April

[Elizabeth Mackey]

That chandelier is simply stunning. Very interesting process.

[Trish]

It's magnificent!

[Jane]

Beautiful fixture and perfect spot for it! I would look a little nervous also if I had a 200 lb light fixture being installed on the second story. Love your blog, by the way!

[Alcea Alba]

Simply stunning! I was about to write and ask for an article in the magazine that showed us how all of your things from Turkey Hill have transitioned into your new Bedford home. Now, at least, we are able to view where your chandelier has been placed (thank you for that!). Where are your ring-back chairs, sideboard, settees and porcelain going? We'd love to see. Thanks for sharing all of your photos with us.

[Andrew Ritchie]

Gorgeous chandelier! And the mirror on the wall behind it adds so much to its dimension.

-Andrew

[Peggy Keith]

Your entryway is just perfect for your beautiful heirloom! Thank you for sharing this process with us.

[Anna]

It looks absolutely beautiful!

[Bethie]

What an awesome chandelier! It's funny to think what a chandelier like that would look like in my house! It's beautiful.

[Joseph]

I'm so glad it is being used!I can only imagine how many dinners were had underneath it at turkey hill.I was just watching your special from PBS from years ago.I converted all my old episodes and specials onto DVD.But you take us through turkey hill looking for the right place to hold your thanksgiving meal.The chandelier looked lovely in that special and now in Bedford.I cant wait to see what the team comes up with.Like the other post whats has become with the high backed settee?And the acanthus leaf gilt mirror that once hung over the dinning room mantel at turkey hill?

[Ryan]

The chandelier looks beautiful! It really looks and quite different in the Bedford foyer than in the dining room of Turkey Hill. I second Alcea Alba's request for an article devoted to how Turkey Hill's carefully collected furnishings will be integrated into your other homes.

[Stef in Seattle]

Wow... this is a piece of art hanging from the ceiling. It's absolutely gorgeous!

Thanks for sharing this!

Kind Regards,
Stef

[Claudine]

Beautiful and sparkly, and there is one thing I love it's sparkles! What a great entryway to have it in and makes such a wonderful statement! I got a great deal on a chandelier and hung it in my craft room :) everything is better with sparkles and glitter....

[Margie]

Martha,

How funny, your van! I clapped my hands seeing it from days of old. Now where could you have had that stored......hmmm.
Terrific set of pictures and story today.

[Lynn Williams]

Grandmother Gilbert's chandelier is gorgeous!!! So glad it wasn't my job to clean the chandelier. :)

[Joan Fluor]

Your cystal chandelier is so beautiful and it was your Grandmother's that makes it more special. Really enjoy your blog, your Halloween programs and the sets are terrific.
I really find it so interesting to admire a person such as you with so much talent and love of all things in life. Thanks for sharing your animals and your home with us,

[.....nan]

Chandelier is incredible. The Martha-by Mail truck -- PRICELESS!

[Cate O'Malley]

What a gorgeous fixture!

[Laurie Ivanchuk{Ukraine}]

WOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! word's can't express the beauty.

[Joe Morgan]

What a treat to see inside the Bedford house. I agree with the other posters that an article on how items from Turkey Hill have been worked into the new houses would be fascinating. Love your blog!

[Natasha]

Martha-What is the paint colour that you have in your foyer? It's gorgeous!

[Jeffrey Reed]

Martha its BEAUTIFUL! Like everything you do its PERFECT! I am so glad to see Turkey Hill being integrated into Bedford! We all miss Turkey Hill but we are falling in love with Cantitoe Corners... and that Martha By Mail truck is so GREAT!! I DO miss that catalog(hint..hint)
Hope you have a Spooktacular Halloween!
Your BIGGEST fan!
Jeffrey Reed
South Hadley, MA

[Danielle]

What struck me most was the appearance of an "au natural" Martha. Thank you for posting a pic where arranged lighting, a planned camera angle, stylists, and make-up artists were not involved. Photos like this make your blog feel real and personal, and that's a "good thing!"

[Sue Mannel]

wow!

sue

[Chris]

How often do you have to clean the mirror behind the chandelier? What is the distance between them? I love the reflecting light. What a brilliant idea!

[Jennifer]

The most elegant I've seen. Very lovely Martha . Wish your Martha by Mail was back .

[BeachMama]

Gorgeous chandelier and I love the wall colours you have chosen.

And I love your old "Martha By Mail" truck, although I do believe the one that used to deliver to my house was brown ;).

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a stunning blog! I absolutely love it all from your cute Martha By Mail delivery truck to the final shot of your grandmother's beautiful chandelier hanging so magnificently. Jan

[Joni Webb]

Just noticed that when the chandelier was hung, the ceiling was white - now it's painted, surprised you didn't do it the other way around!!! So beautiful - that final shot is just smashing!!

Joni

[Cherry Menlove]

I adore this post. It is so interesting to see this process being carried out with such skill.

Cherry Menlove

[Chris L. Penturf]

Absolutely beautiful, Martha! It looks beyond perfect: It looks as if it were made for that spot!

[Mary]

I liked Anthony Cassano's muscular arms!! :)

[mary]

What a great process. I love the shot of you looking all nervous. I have been a fan for many years and I am so happy to see you have a blog. Best wishes.

[Dee]

What a beautiful peice, it's perfect right where it's hung. Mirrors do a wonderful job enhancing light rays. Great job!
Dee

[RODNEY PIERCE]

THE LIGHT FIXTURE IS AS FABULOUS AS YOU ARE...YOUR STYLE IS SO HOT AND WOULD EXCEED ANYONES EXPECTATION...YOU ARE A TRUE ICON

[Shawna O'Donnell]

Martha, your chandelier is beautiful. I agree with you that candeliers should be checked from time to time. While moving into our home I found some loose chandelier crystals in a drawer. When I went to put the crystals on I learned our chandelier was hanging from the electrical wire not the chain. Thankyou for this information.

[pinknest]

that is a spectacular chandelier!! oh i would love to have one in my apartment, but it'd eat up the entire space. but then again, living with just me and my chandlier in a studio kinda sounds glamorous. oh, who am i kidding.

[Shannon Watson]

Wow! It's beautiful. Not only is it spectacular, but also what a heirloom. You must be so pleased.
It dose my heart good to see you prosper. You inspire me.

Shannon Watson,TX

[kimberly sherrod]

That is so fabulous! I am so happy that you have a blog, Martha, and can share your home and life and gorgeous dogs and wonderful family treasures. Who could ever have imagined being able to do this- connecting with people we admire and being able to say Thank You. I have read your magazines, books and watched your shows for many years and I would never have written a "fan letter" but being able to comment on this blog is just the ticket! Thank you! Thank You! For all the wonderful inspiration, all these years.

[Wendy Wong]

Hi Martha Stewart, how great to know this place.

I'm Wendy from Malaysia, so far from you right!? Your program been show in my country since this years! I like your's program so so so much!!

[Barry Parsons]

Stunningly gorgeous! You must be so pleased with the final result. Love the large mirror reflecting it as well.

[Lisa Mace]

Your chandelier is so beautiful.

[sonja]

Martha the chandelier is certainly one of kinda....like your mother and now you. Enjoy its beauty.

[Kelli]

I admit to thinking it is a bit foolish to have something that is so much trouble just to clean...

then I saw the last photo.
It is perfect...beautiful. It deserves all the effort to care for it.

[Darrin]

I remember the old Martha By Mail truck! I miss the catalog so much! The items at Macy's just aren't the same...different designers maybe?

[Dedric Clark]

What a beautiful chandelier. I think it is perfectly positioned to reflect it's glory in that wonderful gilded mirror.