This past Wednesday, style and design writer Anh Minh Le (who also contributes to decor8) recently wrote an article for the San Francisco Chronicle about the beautiful artistry of lighting designers Marcia Zia and Paul Priven of Zia-Priven Design. On her blog she featured this gorgeous Italian glass chandelier which is part of their couture collection.

Thanks to forward thinking designers like Zia-Priven- like much in the design world today- chandeliers are undergoing a massive and varied transformation. No longer limited to entry ways and dining rooms, today’s “chandelier” can be made with anything from paper to light bulbs themselves. Though lots of chandeliers will set you back several hundred to thousands of dollars, the contemporary market is also full of amazing amounts of affordable and creative lighting accessible to anyone searching for a beautiful way to dress up a room. Even this month’s Lucky Magazine lights up with a host of fun chandeliers.

Naturally, the curators on ThisNext have shopcasted many many beautiful chandeliers as well. One of the most stunning displays I’ve seen is Tord Boontje’s Blossom Chandelier picked by Fern Santini in her list Play Design Dress Up.

If the Blossom Chandelier isn’t abstract enough, check out the sculptural innovations of Plug Lighting. Jose Caballer says Plug is “Weird. But interesting.” And interior designer Chris thinks they’re just the best of the best.

If it’s all drama, drama, drama, then maybe a black chandelier is the way to go. ninakipriddy says “every tea party will feel like a rendezvous with the Mad Hatter” with this stunning black crystal Baccarat Zenith Chandelier from Neiman Marcus. And in her list Home Products, designer Leilani Norman-Young fancies this Ginetta traditional English chandelier done in black glass.

Want a splash of color? Super Shopcaster The Style Page loves this acid green number by La Murrina. And I mean, who wouldn’t? La Murrina is also a favorite of Charles Yesuwan who loves their innovative designs and artistry. Says Charles, “the lighting and design company’s glassblowing masters combine bold, innovative designs with time-honored Venician techniques, helping them appeal to those in both the classic and cutting-edge camps. Indeed, La Murrina’s flexibility and striking designs have attracted some of most renowned designers in the world.”

transim shopcasts a cocoon-like pendant lamp by Marcel Wanders and describes it as “Classic meets new. Beautiful 12 spire pendant lamp with silk-like resin cocoon over it.” To me this lamp is spooky the longer you look at it – I love the organic quality – it really does look like a cocoon.

Another other-worldy favorite is the Cloud Light by Frank Gehry for Belux. If we’re being picky here, it really is more of a pendant lamp than a chandelier, but I think its dramatic presentation elevates it from your normal hanging lamp to something really special.

So where to shop for chandeliers? Here’s a roundup of some lighting stores shopcasted by our curators:

>> Chameleon Fine Lighting

>> J.F. Chen

>> West Elm

>> Pagani Studio

>> Hive

and don’t forget

>> IKEA

and of course

>> Home Depot

If you’re searching for a beautiful lighting fixture, then ThisNext is a great place to start. A fun tag exploration of chandelier, chandeliers, lighting, and interior design will bring you some fantastic inspirations.