In a recent project, what began as a conversation about lighting evolved into something far more meaningful, a custom chandelier that tells the story of a family’s life, one bottle at a time. The client had spent more than thirty years saving wine bottles from milestone moments: births, celebrations, travels and quiet evenings worth remembering. Stored away in boxes in the basement, they represented a personal archive of memory. Rather than letting them remain hidden, we saw an opportunity to transform them into something permanent, visible and deeply symbolic.
But this piece carries a deeper weight. Susie, the mother at the center of the home, has been living with ataxia, a degenerative disease she has faced with remarkable strength and determination. Not only has she refused to let it define her, but she has also become an advocate, playing a role in establishing September 25th as International Ataxia Awareness Day. With that context, the chandelier became more than a design feature – it became a time capsule. A way to honor a life still being actively lived, while preserving the moments that define it.
Creating the Chandelier
Photo: Stephanie Pence Photography LLC
The concept took shape as a sculptural “family vine”, a branching chandelier designed to represent the family itself. Three primary branches signify the children, while a central bottle anchors the composition as the parents, the heart of it all. Each bottle carries its own story, from meaningful vintages to inside jokes only the family fully understands. To make it even more personal, we incorporated Susie’s own handwriting into the piece. By tracing her script and etching it directly onto the glass, the chandelier captures not just memory, but identity, her literal mark preserved in a way that will outlast all of us.
From a design standpoint, the execution required close collaboration with a skilled glass artist. The bottles were structurally integrated using UV-bonding techniques, essentially creating a glass weld, ensuring both durability and a clean, seamless aesthetic. Individual leaves were magnetized, allowing the piece to evolve over time as new memories are added. Scaled intentionally to fill a large ceiling volume, the installation commands attention not as décor, but as a living work of art.
What makes this piece truly special is its purpose. It reframes the role of design, not just as something that enhances a space, but as something that holds meaning, legacy and connection. In this case, the chandelier isn’t just about illuminating a room. It’s about illuminating a life, one that continues to inspire, advocate and bring people together. It stands as a reminder that the most powerful designs aren’t the ones that simply look beautiful, but the ones that carry stories worth preserving.
—Michael A. Wright CKBD is owner and principal designer of Cleveland Kitchen & Design
