apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

They do look better with certain fixtures in certain decors. If I was going to do one, it would probably be dark red or black velvet..

weird I was just looking at these on Ballard design's website last night. I like the idea of the black one with a Modern white pendent..then I thought these must really collect dust.

I decided to get this cute chandelier for my bedroom instead, and not go Modern
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Lighting/Chandeliers/Contessa-Chandelier/p/2451?path=1%2C2%2C1467%2C1528&iProductID=2451

But their chandelier chain sleeves are kind of pretty
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Lighting/Chandeliers/Contessa-Chandelier/p/2451?path=1%2C2%2C1467%2C1528&iProductID=2451

I've never liked those much, either. They seem so much sloppier than a bare cord.

I don't like them. I kind of almost like the one in the forth picture, but I think it's more the new medallian that I like.

I don't like them either. They seem unecessary and just 'too much', like crocheted toilet paper covers.

it seems silly to 'hide' something with something even more eye-catching (and not usually in a good way)

I think in the right setting these are fun. If you had an ugly chain and uglier light cord to hide, then go for it. Personally, what bothers me is the "scrunchie"part. Why not have a cover that's smooth and straight?

A friend of mine used one on the floor for tv and lamp cords so the seating could be where the plugs weren't. that was the first and only time i've thought it was a good idea.

You know? I bet these get really dusty...

CozyLittleCave - I was just about to say "dust collector"

Hideous.

I used one for years on my chandelier - it was ideal as a renter in that I didn't want to shorten the cord on my chandelier but with all the extra wiring it was uuuugly. By covering the wiring with fabric, I was able to clean it up. It also made the light fixture more flexible - as my chandelier hung in the middle of my living room, sometimes I needed to have it up higher, like when I moved furniture around for get togethers and didn't want people to bang their heads on it. So yeah, as a permanent solution it may not be so hot but for those of us that are renters and don't want to rewire a chandelier with every move, covers can come in handy. I actually got a lot of compliments on mine and by using a snap closure, it was easy to remove and clean when necessary.

we have an awful creamy grey cord on our old school glass ball 70's hanging lights in the lounge and if not for that I would really love the lights.

oh and thanks NorNor I could make good use of the idea in my tv cabinet it's basically a triangular wooden set of shelves my father made from reclaimed timbers and while it's gorgeous it's hard to hide the cords which is frustrating!

When done right (#1, 2 and 4) they add interest, pattern and texture.

When done wrong (#3 & 5) they come off uber-cheezy.

mdevans -- Personally, what bothers me is the "scrunchie"part. Why not have a cover that's smooth and straight?

I'm with you. It certainly works for some people and their decor but if I were to hide a chain and cord, I would prefer something with a cleaner line to it.

Those slouchy ones remind me of pulling out a tshirt from a load of laundry that had never been folded and put away. Or socks from a gym bag.

But "scrunchies" are cool again, don't ya know!

When I was in England this summer, several castles and palaces I visited had something similar - except the covers were to disguise the chains suspending paintings from the ceiling (presumably, this beat puncturing the priceless silk wall coverings with nail holes). The covers were the same material as the wall coverings, so it created a relatively clean look.

I wouldn't use it to hide electrical cords, though, unless they were abominably ugly.

How about one made of leather?

To get a clean line, I have used a brass pipe as a cover for a yucky chain.

They're pretty bad.