We’ve been fans of faux bamboo chandeliers since our days working in the antiques industry. These playful fixtures have a great vintage vibe, and with just a few easy updates they can fit beautifully in contemporary spaces. Their inherent character provides a sense of happiness, quirkiness and a dash of the unexpected.

What to Look For: When shopping for faux bamboo fixtures look for pieces that are nicely proportioned and consider scale in relation to where the piece is to be situated. The best pieces tend to be mid-sized, neither over scale nor teeny tiny.

How to Find Them: Aside from local vintage stores and antique markets scour online sources like Ebay, Etsy, Kijijii and Craigslist. They’re treasure troves of vintage finds. Of course plenty of retailers also sell new versions which can make finding what you want much easier. But in our opinions there’s nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt!

What to Do With Them: Don’t be afraid to give an old piece a modern update. Try spray-painting an old brass fixture a solid color like white, black or a striking red.

Where to Put It: The obvious place is the dining room, but don’t stop there. These charming flights of fancy provide a heightened sense of glamour when hung in unexpected places. Try them in stairwells, bedrooms, powder rooms and even living rooms.

Stay Safe: Even though it might look like it’s in good shape, wiring in vintage fixtures often doesn’t meet current safety standards. Avoid potential risks and safety hazards by getting any vintage lighting rewired. Qualified electricians and select lighting stores can do it quickly, easily, and relatively cheaply.

Dining Room photo courtesy of Stan Stackley via Houzz. Living room photo courtesy of Digs Design Company via Houzz