We are always asked about the proportion ofmedallion to the fixture;
how large should a ceiling medallion be in relationship to the chandelier.
Ceiling medallions were originally designed as fire barriers for candle and gas lit
chandeliers. There were made of plaster so they did not burn.
There are natural proportions that one should adhere to in design, however like all
design projects it is also a matter of taste. Sometimes one looks at a presentation
and says "I just can't put my finger on what is wrong", well this is because often they
have ignored the natural order of 1/3 to 2/3 ratio. We will examine the natural
order of the "Golden Rule" in the following article.
Keep in mind that when a medallion is installed on the ceiling, it is way up there and
looks much smaller from the floor level. The higher the ceiling the smaller it looks from
sitting or standing level. In the photo above it appears to be the same size as the chandelier
but in fact it does adhere to the golden rule.
Martin Richards Design
