If you are using it over a table that you will not be moving you would hang the bottom about 66" inches from the floor. That would give you 66 + 20 = 86 (`7 feet) to top of chandelier, and you would have two feet of chain. Thats plenty. You could even get away with one foot of chain and have it 76" (6'4") from the floor and most everybody could still walk under it.

Is there an optimal distance from the floor? Or is it just rule of thumb based on height of homeowners/visitors? I should be safe as it will be over a table and no one should need to walk under it.

I guess I am concerned about how it would look without lots of space around it, top and bottom. The room is 12 x 12. I will need to swag the chain.

Optimal height over a table is about 30-36" above the top of the table, closer to the 36" mark above.

Thanks, PA--that's good info!

BTW Are you in PA? I am in central PA.

Philadelphia area here.

Palimpsest provided some good info to help... anyone have an opinion on how this design would look in a smallish room with low ceilings? Is it too much?

(Palimpsest: I lived in that area for 6 years or so and I miss it. )

Hey Funky, happy to see you posting, again.

A 9' ceiling really isn't that low. Many have 8'. I have 9' in my DR and have the chandy 30" above the table and it's a bit longer than yours. Even then, one poster said I should lower it (?) so it goes to show...

I love the fixture you picked out.

i had a similar situation in this house..with 3 rooms, i ended up using the lights..one was very very long, but i was able to shorten it a little ..and use it anyway.

sometimes you'll find that there are sections of the lamps that can be removed to shorten the length..

also, make sure that you have the ceiling spot perfectly where you want it before installing it so you'll have it perfectly centered over a piece of furniture..then no one will bonk their heads on it.

Personally I'd be more worried about it being too small for the space than too tall or large. It's not very big really and with nine foot ceilings...well you'll actually have more chain than fixture.

But it has a nice weighty presence, which should offset that issue.

You could get away with a lot more :) So if you like it, go for it, or you can look for something even larger.

We're still building, but this is a 20" fixture over a table in our unfinished kitchen (just to give you an idea of size). It's 36" over the table.

If I remember my measurements right...this one is 33" tall, 33" over the table, in a room with an 8' ceiling (same as the kitchen). It's pretty big, but looks right in the room (IMO)

I've always heard that you hang a chandelier 30" above the table. A table is about 30" high. So, this would still give you 28" of chain.

In addition to size and ideal measurements, I think you have to consider how weighty the chandy looks when dealing with a lower ceiing. My ceiings are only 8'. I ordered one chandelier that was about the size of yours and although it was beautiful and I loved it, it overpowered my room. I ordered another one - same size, but more open and airy - like yours - and it looks great in the space. Wish I had a picture buy I'm at work right now. I think your chandy will be wonderful in your DR.

Love that chandelier and I think it would work in your space (from what you describe).

I've always thought that a chandelier should err on the large size rather than smaller (like igloo says). The other day I was reading something by some famous designer who said the same thing.

Wow.. thanks for all the responses. I almost didn't even pose the question as I really thought the answer would be a resounding "no way will that work" so I am very glad I asked.

Parma- Thanks! It is nice to have a little time to post again! I should have asked you first LOL. In my head I kept comparing my space to your DR and thinking you had your big beautiful chandie hanging from very high ceiling. I don't think I realized it was so much lower than the entry and LR.

Igloo - I appreciate the warnings that it may be too small but since it is a mostly enclosed room, I really don't think I would want anything much larger. (Though I reserve the right to change my mind haha)

Artlover - I think that is what I love about the chandie that it isn't all that weighty or serious. It also won't obstruct the view outside.

Budge - of anyone's DR on here, my current space is probably most similar to yours (although mine is dusty, full of boxes I have yet to unpack and stuffed with furniture that needs to be donated-- which is why I won't post a photo). My current table and chairs are very similar to yours... so I was thrilled to hear that you like it also.

Thanks, again, for the feedback everyone. I was ready to walk away from it due to the size... so now I am dialing the PB outlet to see if they have it in the store to pick up RIGHT NOW.

Sooooo, is the chandelier on its way?

haha.. well, no. I did check the PB Outlet (which is within 10 mi of my office) and they didnt have it. I am debating whether to buy it now or to keep watching the outlet.

As much as I do need a chandelier, it wasn't on the list of purchases I was planning for the near term. I do love it-- and there are few in my price range that actually get me excited enough to consider buying them. I guess that is reason enough to just buy it. I've been too cautious to actually submit the order though... I keep asking myself: what if I end up paying more for a table? what if I fall for a table that pushes the room in a different direction.. a head full of self doubt.

(A funny aside-- I recently talked my sister into buying a chandie she loved for much more $$. I hounded her even.)