You know what? I wanted a little drama in my dining room. Not big drama—just that soft, fancy glow you see in old cafés. So I got a French chandelier. Six lights. Antique brass finish. Crystal drops that catch your eye even when they’re quiet.
Was it perfect? Not quite. But it changed the room. Here’s how it went for me—start to finish, hiccups and all.
Why I Wanted This Style
I grew up with a grandma who loved lace curtains and lemon tea. Her light had that same curved metal and little candle sleeves. The French look feels warm, a bit dreamy, and not stiff. I cook simple food, but the room now looks like I tried harder. Funny how light can do that.
If you’re hunting for other authentic French-inspired fixtures or décor, take a peek at the curated collection over at La Petite France before you settle on a piece. For bigger pieces, their guide to the French country sofa shows how seating can set a cozy, calm tone too.
The One I Bought (and the setup)
I picked a Saint Mossi 6-light French Empire style for my 10×12 dining room. It’s about 24 inches wide and 28 inches tall, with a long chain. Around 20 pounds. It came in a foam-packed box with a bag of K9 glass crystals (that’s just a clear, sparkly type of glass) and extra hooks.
- Bulbs: E12 base. I used six 40W LED filament bulbs at 2700K. That means warm and cozy, not harsh.
- Dimmer: Lutron Skylark. Slide up for game night, down for pasta and music.
- Ceiling height: 8 feet. I hung the bottom about 30 inches above the table.
I did the assembly at my kitchen island with a towel down. The arms were already joined, but the crystal strings needed clipping on. I wore cotton gloves so I didn’t smudge everything. Pro tip: hang the big center drops last. They love to tangle.
I hired an electrician to hardwire it. The canopy needed a better bracket than the one in the box, so he used his own. Twenty minutes later, boom—Paris café glow. If you’re not sure with wires, please do call someone who is. It’s worth it.
The First Week: Oohs, Ahhs, and One Oops
On day one, during dinner, the prisms threw little rainbows on the wall. My kid tried to catch one like a cat. We laughed. The room felt taller somehow. The chain links looked old on purpose, not fake.
But two small crystals had tiny chips. Not sharp, just little bites. The brand did send replacements fast after I emailed a photo. I kept one chipped piece as a test and hung it low—no one noticed but me.
One Month In: What Held Up (and what bugged me)
- The finish: The antique brass reads warm, not yellow. No flaking.
- Balance: Some chandeliers tilt if one side is heavier. This one sat level after I spaced the drops evenly. I had to move two strands over a notch. Took five minutes.
- Brightness: Six 40W LEDs felt like a bright lunch spot at full power. On the dimmer, a soft glow. No hum. No flicker.
- Cleaning: Dust shows fast on crystal. I use a can of air first, then a spritz of 50/50 water and vinegar on a cloth. I don’t spray the fixture. I wipe and hold each piece so it doesn’t swing. Ten minutes tops.
What bugged me? The instruction sheet was tiny and vague. The picture showed a different arm curve. Also, the canopy (the little dome at the ceiling) was a bit small, so it didn’t cover a weird old paint ring. I added a plain white ceiling medallion from the hardware store, and now it looks like it was meant to be there. If you’ve never tackled one, HGTV’s step-by-step guide on installing a decorative ceiling medallion makes the project feel totally doable.
Real Moments That Sold Me
- My friend brought fresh bread and said, “This bread isn’t fancy, but your light makes it feel like it is.” We ate butter and jam and felt spoiled.
- During a storm, the power blinked, then came back. The chandelier turned on fine with the dimmer remembering the last level. Tiny thing, but it made me smile.
- Holiday sprigs: I wired two small eucalyptus branches through the chain for winter. The soft green with brass? Chef’s kiss.
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The Nerdy Bits (told plain)
- Chain length matters. If your table is long, keep the chandelier centered and sized about half to two-thirds the table’s width. Mine is 72 inches long, so 24 inches wide worked.
- Bulb color matters. 2700K looks like candlelight. 3000K is a tad whiter. I tried 3000K for a week and went back.
- Weight matters. Anything near 20 pounds needs a solid ceiling box. A metal one. Not a flimsy old plastic box. The electrician checked mine.
Quirks You Should Expect
- Crystals move when the window is open. They tinkle a bit. Nice, but you’ll hear it.
- Fingerprints happen. Keep a soft cloth in a drawer nearby.
- While you’re thinking about airflow and windows, you might appreciate what I learned testing French return curtain rods—they keep drapes from flaring out when the breeze rolls in.
- If your ceiling isn’t flat, the canopy may not sit flush. A medallion fixes that cleanly. For a detailed nuts-and-bolts walkthrough, Lowe’s has a handy tutorial on how to install a ceiling medallion that covers everything from adhesive choice to finishing caulk.
What I Loved
- The glow is warm and even. Faces look good under it. No harsh shadows.
- Classic shape—curvy arms, candle sleeves, and draped strands. It feels French without being fussy.
- Spare parts in the box saved me a trip.
- It plays nice with a dimmer, which is huge for mood.
What I Didn’t
- The tiny manual. Just give me bigger pictures, please.
- Two chipped crystals on arrival (replaced, but still annoying).
- The small canopy that didn’t hide old ceiling sins.
Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner
- Lay out the crystals by size before you start. Put the longest ones near the center, smaller ones toward the ends.
- Test your dimmer with one bulb first. Some bulbs buzz; the filament style I used didn’t.
- Keep the chain one extra link longer than you think. You can always pull it up a notch.
- If your table is glass, lower brightness a touch. The reflection can feel bright.
Who This Suits (and who should skip)
- Great for: Small to mid dining rooms, entryways with a bit of height, and anyone who likes cozy dinners.
- Maybe skip: Ultra modern spaces with sharp lines only, very low ceilings, or rooms that need super bright task light.
Final Take
This French chandelier didn’t fix my old floors or teach me French. But it made our meals feel warm and a little special. It’s not perfect, yet it’s lovely, honest light.
Would I buy it again? Yes. I’d add a bigger canopy or a medallion from day one, and I’d check each crystal before hanging. Small tweaks. Big mood shift.
And if we’re being real—I still catch myself staring at those tiny rainbows while the pasta water boils. That has to count for something.