Custom Painted Chandelier Process In Steps

The custom painted chandelier process that I have developed works and is well tested…and I have created literally a few hundred custom painted chandeliers in the decade in the past decade. I will break the process down into steps to show you how I work with clients to create my breathtakingly beautiful reverse painted chandeliers for clients when a custom chandelier is required.

Over half of my work each year is composed of commissioned reverse painted glass chandeliers and commissioned paintings in both oil and watercolor. I am happy to create custom works of art if I feel like I am the correct artist for your vision.

There are many reasons to consider a commission, the most common need for a custom painted chandelier comes about if I do not have a chandelier in my studio inventory that fits the colors that work in your room. Perhaps you have seen something perfect on my website…yet the chandelier that you like has sold. This would be a very good reason to request a custom painted chandelier.

The process is simple and I fell that I have mastered the art of the commission. Before I devoted myself to fine art I was a graphic designer and this laid an excellent foundation for commission work. I try to listen carefully to my collectors.

Steps in the Custom Painted Chandelier Process

Step One: I talk with you over the phone or in an email about the colors and elements that you like most. The very best scenario is when you can indicate a chandelier that you like or a side of a chandelier and that gives me a good point in which to start. I will also inquire about the room where you will install a chandelier. The more info the better so if you have pictures of the space or if you can provide color examples and explain your overall vision for the room (if the home is being remodeled or built), then that is important.

First Questions that I will ask you:

Which chandelier in my collection captivated you most?
What background colors are most important?
What flower colors are important? (same would apply to abstracts or ocean, pieces)
Describe the primary colors?
Describe the secondary/accent colors and in what proportions?
If a floral, can you name a few favorite flowers?
If an abstract, then I ask what are your favorite design elements in my abstract chandeliers?

For example, a client might tell me that they want a chandelier to have blues and purples predominately with accents of burgundy reds, some greens and minor accents of golds or orange. Overall, when you look at the chandelier you will see a ‘blue and purple’ chandelier…with accent colors.

Step Two: I will then create a proposal that will include photos that you send me to describe the room. These could include actual pictures of the room or simply pictures of art or through pillows, fabric samples of paint chips that will decorate the room. Also included, any pictures of chandeliers from my website that caught your attention that help describe the flow that you are looking to create. Also included will be a flower search for favorite flowers, if the chandelier is a floral or fish, if the chandelier is an ocean chandelier.

Your chandelier proposal includes:

All of the color and design info above
Fixture preference and installation location including ceiling height
Descriptions in your words of what you are looking for
An estimated time-frame for completion
The price including a deposit
A second set of questions I might have for you at this point

This proposal will still be a DRAFT proposal at this point. After creating the proposal I often have design and color questions of my own…or I have a really clear idea of the chandelier that you I will tell you. But sometimes I might suggest elements that will make a chandelier spectacular or point out problems that I might encounter, based off experience…and I will have a solution.

Step Three: You will review the proposal on your own time and decide if everything looks correct…and if you have input at this point, you will pass that along to me and I will repeat Step Two and send you a revised proposal.

Step Four: This is where all of the true hard work begins in my custom painted chandelier process: I create your piece. Your proposal serves as my guide and I try not to veer from it.

Step Five: I will then send you either pictures straight from my light easel of your glass…and/or I will send you pictures of your glass bowl in a fixture. You will tell me at this point if the chandelier is approved. In rare cases I do repaint chandeliers for clients…but I try to avoid this and thus the detailed process of communication colors and elements and in what proportions (as described above).

Step Six: Your forged fixture will be made and this can take me about two weeks to complete as I set specific days aside in my shop to work on fixtures.

Step Seven: I will confirm your shipping address and best phone number for UPS…and I will also confirm that you will be in town to receive your chandelier. All of my reverse painted glass chandeliers are professionally packed and fully insured. Due to value, UPS highly suggests that I have a Signature Confirmation attached to the box. Sometimes clients will have me ship to a business. You will be able to change the delivery date through your tracking number. You will also be able to request that UPS hold your chandelier at a local UPS hub for pick-up, if that is more convenient.

Step Eight: When you receive your custom painted glass chandelier, I will ask you to open the box and inspect the glass as soon as possible. Even if you are waiting on a remodel to finish or waiting for your dream home to be built, it’s still important to inspect the glass. We have a very low incident rate but in the case of a break, it’s better to know asap. The good news is that we handle everything for you on my end…and that includes expediting a new chandelier to you—you’d move to the top of my list. And thankfully, this isn’t necessary that often.

The custom painted chandelier process that I’ve designed and refined over the years works for my clients and myself! When necessary, I pivot by adding new experiences and solutions to create my beautiful reverse painted glass chandeliers!