Coup de Coeur…

Chandelier, French brocante

 

 

What was I to do when I saw the large chandelier dripping with crystals?

Only one thing came to mind: Lick it up.

I suppose that is how it is when you see something that goes straight to your heart, or as they say in France: "A coup de coeur"… A 'coup de coeur' is when you fall instantly in love with something and have to have it regardless if you need it, or have room. It is without hesitation that the person buys the dress because it sparks something within them that they cannot control.

I had a coup de coeur!

I asked the dealer if he could bring it to the aparment in Paris, he told me he could for a small fee and a cold bottle of water.

The deal was sealed. 

 

2013-08-06 15.53.01

 

Today I asked French Husband to hold up the chandelier so I could see if it would work where I had in mind.

Instantly Regis (the renovator) Yann (the French Husband) and my mother in law (Belle Mere) gave their biggest groans:

"Oh it is too big, for the small space!"

"The ceiling won't support it!"

"You're mad, its too long, people will be staring into it." 

Then and there I realized at last what my cousin Doug tried to explain to me years ago when we bought our home and had big plans to renovate it: "Renovations are aggressive. That is why some people never renovate their homes."

Instead of listening to them, and stuffing the heavy chandelier back in its dusty box….

I blurted, "No, its staying and you will have to find a way that the ceiling will support it." 

Renovating can be fun, and stressful, and aggressive. Today it wasn't fun.

The Chandelier is staying. I hope the ceiling does not fall in. 

 

 

 

 



Comments

31 responses to “Coup de Coeur…”

  1. Love the chandelier; totally something I would buy. Of course it might look wonderful in Provence too…

  2. I love it! You’ll all find a way to make it fit. If not…my ceilings would support it.

  3. becky up a hill

    I hope the best for you. There has to be a beam up there?!

  4. Maybe in the bathroom or bedroom. People can ‘duck’ when walking through the room. No joke. Hard to say without seeing the site. Good Luck. It is beautiful. As I speak, I am figuring where to put a chandelier quite like that one. Hugs to you all .

  5. Love, love the chandelier. I pray the ceiling holds it. It would be sad to see it fall to the ground.

  6. pffft! It will too work and it is beautiful. Regis just needs to put extra supports in the ceiling. Can you remove some of the lead crystals without ruining the look of the piece? That might lessen the weight load.

  7. Nicolette

    I agree. Stay firm with your ideas. I was told by my contractor that anything is possible,BUT(a big but) how much are you willing to pay me? If its something I truly feel absolutely sure of, I go for it. In the long run, I know I’ll be HAPPY!

  8. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Martina
    That is a good idea. There are plenty of four inch crystals!!

  9. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Karen,
    I plan to hang it over an island, so nobody will hit their head on it. The bathroom ceiling is too low.
    C

  10. Julie Schaefer

    Good girl. Stick to your guns. It’s lovely!

  11. Corey, This post made me laugh. I’m happy it’s staying!

  12. I think you should hang the chandelier…it is a great idea!!

  13. christine

    Love the silver handbag hanging on the door 😉

  14. XiijnTEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Oh go with your COEUR!

  15. The chandelier is gorgeous! I think it fits the space perfectly! I can’t wait to see more…:)

  16. jeanne stone

    Think your coup de coer is going to look lovely! I have never had one of those moments “go wrong ” for me. Can’t wait to see the finished product

  17. A woman after my own heart! I also had a coup de coeur when I found THE PERFECT chandelier a few years ago. I had been wanting one for ages, and hubby said “ceilings are too low”, etc., etc. But when I found it (gorgeous and working, dripping with crystals for FORTY DOLLARS!!!), well, I simply had to have it! So I brought it home and told him he was going to have to make it work. And bless his ever loving heart, he did. Two persons standing on opposite sides of the dining room table have to bend down in order to see one another. But sitting to dine, it works perfectly. And draped in antique mercury ornaments at Christmas time, it is a beautiful sight to behold. Stick to your guns, Corey, you rock!!

  18. Peggy Braswell

    What a beauty + a j box will do the trick(in america that is what we call them,in france a ?)it looks lovely. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

  19. La Contessa

    I was sooooo happy to see that CRYSTAL CHANDELIER……..you are making progress and DONOT LISTEN TO THOSE MEN!I read once where a gal in the Mid west hangs her chandeliers 28 inches from the top of the table…….thats low.BUT it is SPECTACULAR!You are the decorator do as you please………..a wonderful find!
    GOOD JOB!

  20. La Contessa

    GOOD JOB!STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!!!!
    LOVE IT!

  21. absolutely perfect! they can hang it from a support beam in the ceiling yep and I am speaking from a similar experience!!!

  22. this made me grin widely – never worry, the ceiling WILL support it, of course!!! that was just an excuse for not having to hang it up (and obviously, the ‘rosette’ will have to be re-inforced but the guys will find that out soon enough… – and in good time). It belongs there, it’s the new home for chandelier 🙂
    I have a small one, an English antique one in a light, very light pink – well bubble-wrapped and waiting for THE room….

  23. Franca Bollo

    Franca can see the headline now, “Death by Chandelier”. There could be worse ways to go.

  24. LOVE IT!

  25. Do NOT listen to them! Every major renovation I’ve ever made was accompanied by my husband and some contractor saying, “Oh no, the front walk must be straight and lead directly to the sidewalk/ red wallpaper does not belong in a kitchen/ you can’t paint a ceiling yellow/ etc. And then they always eat a liberal serving of crow. Go for it!

  26. labergerebasque

    You are going to hate me, but they are right. The chandelier is beautiful, but proportionally it looks too large for the room. Chandeliers need to fit a room’s proportions in the same way a couch does :/

  27. Corey, it will be beautiful. Trust your intuition.

  28. Good for you! French husband is quite handsome — and he’ll look lovely in that radiant chandelier light!

  29. Love it….it will refract sunlight as well as candlelight and transform the space in memorable ways!!!

  30. you sure don’t need ideas in fabulous decorating, though I sending you this on what other’s rent their apartments for in Paris @ different seasons !http://www.haveninparis.com/
    Loving our shares, wow, that chandelier, yummy, XO

  31. Of course it should stay. That’s why you are an American living and loving in Paris. Its your natural audacity, joie de vivre and disdain for convention that brings the enthusiasm and life to the moment.

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