Midtown chandelier shop illuminates buyers’ options

The brick building with the big industrial windows isn’t a posh showroom with plush carpeting and subtle lighting. But for those who want to explore and uncover hidden gems, a visit to the Big Chandelier in Midtown is an adventure in buying.

Owner Jack Prestia has been in the lighting business there since 1988. His two-story, 10,000-square-foot shop is filled with lighting fixtures, largely antique styles he brings back from regular buying trips to Europe. The collection of sconces, floor lamps, lanterns and chandeliers sits on the floor, hangs from the rafters and lines the walls. Upstairs, several small rooms are crowded with lighting finds.

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H. M. Cauley / AJC Special

The Big Chandelier updates fixtures like this antique alabaster chandelier to hang in a modern home.

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H. M. Cauley / AJC Special

The store’s best seller is the Maria Theresa, an Italian crystal chandelier.

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“People are shocked when they come in here,” said Prestia. “They think we only do hotel chandeliers.”

Prestia keeps three restorers on his staff who specialize in turning the old pieces into modern accents. “We don’t restore the pieces until we’ve sold them, so customers can have exactly what they want,” Prestia explained. “We can put on new crystals or ones that look old. Then we electrify it and get it ready to hang.”

What you’ll find

There are a few ballroom-sized chandeliers, with hundreds of sparkling crystals and strands of glittery glass. There are several choices of the same flashy styles for small rooms, from dining rooms to glamorous master baths.

But the bulk of the inventory is antique, fixtures in brass, iron, wood, metal and painted ceramic from French and Italian sources. Some are accented with painted globes; others are rustic country styles. A bronze multi-tiered chandelier is $3,000; smaller fixtures start at $250.

There’s a small selection of oversized frames, mirrors, lamp shades, bell jar lamps, andirons and ceiling medallions in various designs ($50 to $200).

Best sellers

An Italian crystal chandelier, the Maria Theresa, is the store’s top seller. It’s classic teardrop shape can be widened or lengthened to a customer’s specifications. The most typical design is a two-tiered light with glass arms loaded with lead crystals. The average cost is $3,500.

Following the popularity of the very traditional piece are rustic country French pieces that work well over kitchen islands, breakfast bars or casual dining tables.

Trends

The popularity of the country French look fits with his customers’ return to more casual living, said Prestia. “They don’t want anything too formal,” he said. “They’re going for iron chandeliers that are 100 years old and work in a more relaxed setting.”

WHERE TO FIND IT:

The Big Chandelier

484 14th St., Atlanta

Info: 404-872-3332, www.thebigchandelier.com

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

In the area: The store is on a stretch of 14th Street west of I-75 that’s lined with lighting and antique stores.