17-Foot Ceilings, Three Brass Chandeliers, One Clean Update in Erie
Some light fixtures stay up for decades for one simple reason: nobody wants to go get them.
That was the situation in this Erie home. Three polished-brass chandeliers, each hanging from 17-foot ceilings, had been there since the house was built: a lantern in the two-story entryway, a second lantern by the staircase, and a candelabra-style fixture on a long chain over the living area. They worked fine. They just looked like they were waiting for a 1990s home tour.
The plan: replace two with modern fixtures, and take the third down for good. The homeowners knew what they wanted. They just didn't want to climb up there themselves. Fair enough. That's what I'm for.
Why high-ceiling fixtures get ignored
Swapping a light fixture on an 8-foot ceiling is a common weekend project. At 17 feet it's a different job:
You need the right ladder. A standard 6- or 8-foot stepladder doesn't come close. This job called for my 14-foot Werner fiberglass stepladder, set up level and solid before anyone climbed. Two-story entryways and staircases are exactly where ladder accidents happen, so setup takes as long as the swap.
The old fixture has to come down in one piece. A brass chandelier with glass panels is heavy, awkward, and fragile, and you're lowering it from overhead.
The new fixture has to hang at the right height. In a two-story space, chain length makes or breaks the look. Too high and it disappears into the ceiling; too low and it crowds the doorway or the stairs.
Everything happens overhead. Holding a fixture, managing chain, and making connections with your arms above your head at that height is slow, tiring work if you don't do it often.
The upgrade
Two replaced: The homeowners chose matte black six-light fixtures with clear glass shades for the entryway and the staircase. They tie right into the black balusters on the stair railing, and in the entry, the new fixture sits centered below the transom window and finally looks like it belongs in the room.
One removed: The brass candelabra came down completely, and the ceiling box was covered with a clean plate. Sometimes the best lighting upgrade is one less fixture competing for attention.
Before: three polished-brass fixtures, cloudy glass, and chains that hung too long. After: two clean, matching fixtures and an uncluttered ceiling that makes the space feel even taller.
Is it worth updating high-ceiling lighting?
If you have a two-story foyer, vaulted living room, or open staircase, that fixture is often the first thing people see when they walk in. Updating it is one of the highest-visibility changes you can make for the cost, and dated brass lighting is one of the details buyers notice right away.
A few tips if you're shopping for a replacement:
Measure before you buy. A common rule of thumb: add the room's length and width in feet, and that number in inches is a good starting diameter for the fixture.
Check the chain or rod length. High ceilings often need extra chain, so confirm what's in the box.
Think about bulb changes. You'll be replacing bulbs at the same height, so long-life LED bulbs are worth it.
Match finishes. If you can see multiple fixtures from one spot (like this home's entry and staircase), matching finishes make the whole space feel intentional.
Ask whether you need every fixture. Removing one can open up a space as much as replacing it.
Let's get your high ceilings handled
I'm Jeremy, owner of Old Town Handyman & Home Solutions. I'm a one-man operation based in Old Town Lafayette, serving Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Broomfield, and Boulder. If you've got a hard-to-reach fixture (or three) that's been on your list for years, I've got the ladder and the patience.
Book online here or visit oldtownfixit.com to see more projects.
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