Merry and Bright Chandeliers

By Julie Feagin Sandner

Don't leave yours in the dark this season. Here's how to make it shine.

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Berry Branch Chandelier

Van Chaplin / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey, Buffy Hargett, Alan Henderson

You can have this arrangement even if your chandelier isn't an exact match. Use florist wire to attach berry branches to the center of the fixture. Cover the wiring with greenery or more berries. The display should last 7 to 10 days.

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Apple Cranberry Chandelier

Van Chaplin / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey, Buffy Hargett, Alan Henderson

Here, we strung lady apples and cranberries, but you could also try kumquats. (Use fresh cranberries, not frozen.) Place a single strand of apples in the center of the chandelier; then follow with a strand of cranberries along the outer edges. Tie a bow at the top of the chandelier, and allow streamers to hang. Depending on how fresh the fruit is, this arrangement should last 7 to 10 days.

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Ribbon and Mum Chandelier

Van Chaplin / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey, Buffy Hargett, Alan Henderson

Select a mix of striped, polka-dot, and solid grosgrain ribbons. Tie a large bow with the ribbons at the top of the chandelier chain, and allow streamers to fall at varying lengths through the fixture. To create the oversize mum ornaments, moisten 4-inch-diameter florist foam balls with water. Don't soak them, or they will drip liquid all over the table. Create a hook at the top of the ball for ribbon hangers by placing florist wire through the center of the ball and securing it at the base. Cut the mums, leaving 1-inch-long stems, and then cover the foam balls completely. Loop ribbons through the hook to hang on the chandelier for a festive and colorful look. As a bonus, this is also a kid-friendly project. The ribbons will last forever. As for the mum ornaments, they'll stay fresh for 7 to 10 days. Mist them frequently to prolong their color.

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Greenery Chandelier

Collect greenery from your yard or a Christmas tree lot. Immerse it in water overnight, crushing the ends of the branches to allow the cuttings to take in more water. Use florist wire to attach branches to the chandelier. Start at the top, and work your way down. The greenery should last at least two weeks, maybe even longer. But you can take it further. We jazzed up simple paper shades with florist tape to match the greenery.

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