43118BK Kichler Lighting Armstrong - 8 Light Large Chandelier - with Contemporary inspirations - 26 inches tall by 30 inches wide-Black Finish

When the Armstrong 8 Light Chandelier arrived, I was amazed at the size of the box. How could a large light fixture like this fit in such a compact box? The answer is in the 'sputnik' design. The 'arms' of the fixture fully rotate in all directions. The shipping form of the light had all arms parallel, so it did not take up much room at all. Speaking of the packaging of the item, it was very secure. It actually was more difficult to open the box than to hang the light. Each 'arm' was individually protected and the whole fixture was wrapped tightly in protective covering. After the fixture was unpacked, I simply removed my old (ugly) fixture in my dining room and examined the hardware. Luckily, the Armstrong was able to attach to my existing setup. There was no need for me to make any changes to the current arrangement. It was easy to splice the wires of the new fixture into my current switch and then just screw the support to the light into the ceiling. I believe that this is a fairly standard operation, and most people could complete this job in 15-20 minutes even with no experience. The chrome base that attaches to the ceiling is solid and attractive. This thing is not going to fall!! As for the overall appearance of the light, I had actually considered hanging it in my two-story entryway. I was concerned that having the light at eye level would blind guests since the lights of the arms point at the room at basically just above eye level (although they are fully adjustable. You could point them straight up and down if you wanted to). That concern turned out to be no worry at all. With the size/type of bulbs that this takes, that turned out to be a non-issue. In fact, it looks pretty cool, as this fixture is on a dimmer and I can create different moods with the way the lights paint the room. Another concern that I had is that each 'arm' might act as an individual spotlight. That is not the case. I am not sure if it is the bulbs that I chose, but the light washes the room equally. There are no harsh beams spiking out to individual areas. On a final note, the fixture actually looks like a piece of hanging artwork. Every single guest we have had has complimented it. In fact, the look is so eye-catching, I am considering hanging it in the entryway, although I have another high-quality fixture from Kichler hanging there now. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]

Beautiful addition to my home. Adds interest and dynamic lighting. It is a statement piece. Solid construction and easy to adjust based on the room condition or lighting needs. The chrome color goes with everything and adds a modern twist. Goes well in a transitional home. The shipment comes in a small, tall package since the fixture folds up well. The packaging kept my fixture secure without being excessive. Does not come with bulbs. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]