A French chandelier, in today's interiors, is less about crystal drops than about softness: draped fabric, curved brass, fringes and tassels that turn a light into a piece of textile decor. Fringe lamps and tasselled shades belong to the same family. They glow through fabric, they bring texture to a room and they suit vintage, eclectic and wabi-sabi homes alike. This guide explains the styles, gives the real dimensions of our French-style chandeliers and fringe lamps, and shows how to pick the right size for a table.
What makes a light look French
- Fabric that is draped or gathered, rather than stretched tight on a drum.
- Brass or antique brass details: stems, scrolled arms, trims.
- Soft, organic outlines: petals, shells, flowers, folds.
- Trims: contrast piping, fringes and tassels along the edge of a shade.
Our pieces are French-inspired designs, not antiques. Each product page lists the actual materials.
French-style chandeliers and fringe lamps: real sizes
| Model | Type | Size | Materials | Light |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Draped Fabric Chandelier | Chandelier | Ø 50 × H 60 cm or Ø 60 × H 70 cm | White satin fabric, black trim rings, metal hardware | Whole body glows; white, warm or neutral white; not dimmable |
| French Wabi-Sabi Chandelier | Chandelier, 1 or 3 lights | Ø 50 × H 25.5 cm; canopy Ø 10 cm | Brown fabric discs, opal globes, brass-finish fittings | Warm white by default; suited to about 3–5 m² |
| Tiered Fringe Fabric Pendant | Fringe pendant | Ø 36–37 × H 21–22.5 cm; cord up to 2 m | Hand-knitted fabric, iron frame | Glows through fabric and fringe, light falls down |
| Tasselled Velvet Floor Lamp | Tassel floor lamp | H 158 cm | Caramel velvet shade with tassels, brass-tone iron stand | Shade glows, light up and down; about 3–5 m² |
| Vintage Brass Flower Wall Sconce | Wall sconce | H 25 cm; projection 25 cm | Antique brass finish, glass flower shade | Glass flower glows; about 3–5 m² |
| Vintage Shell Glass Sconce | Wall sconce | W 28 × H 24 cm; projection 13 cm | Moulded glass shell, metal mount | Upward glow, E14 bulb; about 3–5 m² |
Which size over a table? A quick guide
A common rule for a light over a dining table is a diameter of one half to two thirds of the table's width. Applied to our models:
| Light | Diameter | Table width it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Tiered Fringe Fabric Pendant | Ø 36–37 cm | About 55–75 cm (a small bistro or round table) |
| French Wabi-Sabi Chandelier | Ø 50 cm | About 75–100 cm |
| French Draped Fabric Chandelier, small | Ø 50 cm | About 75–100 cm |
| French Draped Fabric Chandelier, large | Ø 60 cm | About 90–120 cm |
Height matters too: the draped chandelier is 60 or 70 cm tall, so it needs more headroom than the flat wabi-sabi model (25.5 cm). The product page suggests the draped chandelier for a dining table, an entrance or a bedroom with a high ceiling. For hanging heights, see dining room lighting: chandelier size and height.
Fringe and tassel lamps: where they work
- Over a round dining table: the Tiered Fringe pendant hung low, in burgundy & black, cream & mustard, cream & blue or burgundy & grey.
- Above a bed, in place of a ceiling fitting, for a soft textured light.
- Beside a sofa or armchair: the Tasselled Velvet Floor Lamp as a reading lamp, or in a bedroom corner for evening light.
Fringed and tasselled lights are accent and mood lights. In a large living room, combine them with a ceiling light or several lamps.
Completing the look on the walls
A French chandelier pairs well with sconces that share its curves. The Vintage Brass Flower Wall Sconce has a scrolled antique brass arm and a choice of amber frosted flower, clear ribbed tulip or white frosted flower shades. The Vintage Shell Glass Sconce sends its light up the wall through a ribbed shell of olive green, smoky amber or opal cream glass. More in our flower pendant lights & chandeliers and glass wall sconces collections.
Caring for fabric, fringes and velvet
Switch off and let the light cool. Dust fabric and velvet with a soft brush or a vacuum on low power with a brush nozzle, and comb fringes and tassels gently with your fingers rather than pulling them. See how to clean lamp shades for fabric and silk.
The brass details of these pieces are compared with gold, bronze and copper in our guide to brass lamps and lights, and the fringe pendant also features in our boho lighting guide.
All our French-inspired lights are grouped in the French Classic Lighting collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a French chandelier?
A chandelier in a French-inspired style, often with draped or gathered fabric, brass details and soft, organic shapes. Ours are modern French-style designs, not antiques.
What size French chandelier do I need for my table?
Aim for one half to two thirds of the table's width: Ø 50 cm suits a table about 75–100 cm wide, Ø 60 cm about 90–120 cm.
Can a fringe pendant hang over a dining table?
Yes. The Tiered Fringe Fabric Pendant (Ø 36–37 cm) has a cord adjustable up to 2 m and suits a round dining table.
See all our fabric models in the fabric & silk pendant lights collection.
