I wouldn't do recessed lighting in this space. I'd opt for either track lighting or a chandelier - with a slight leaning towards a chandelier.

Track lighting has come a long way since the 80's. It can be put on a dimmer for ambient lighting and some of the systems are almost invisible. It's a contemporary lighting solution that could work very well in your space.

If you choose to go with a chandelier, it doesn't have to match the one in the dining room, but should relate to it in some way - whether it be shape, finish, style, era, feeling, etc.

Here's a photos of a ceiling almost identical to yours with a track light:

Check out Design Within Reach

We wire a lot of post and beam homes in our area for Lindal Cedar homes. They use the same post and beam and wood ceiling finishes. If you go recess Progress makes a recess trim in Chestnut color that blends a lot better with the ceiling. A chandelier works just as well with the height of the ceiling based on the look of the other chandelier, I do not like to put chandeliers in that have no hang down from the top canopy to the light itself. It to me looks bunched or almost like you just chose something to go there just to make it work. Track lighting can be hard because of the beams they throw. If you do track lighting your bulbs should have a 50 degree spread on them to throw the light out some more. Some bulbs come in spreads i.e. 20 degree, 50 degree etc. You usually don't find them at the big stores but lighting stores have and can get them. I would suggest chandelier if we were on the project, I think in the end you will be a lot happier. Hope this helps

Your pictures and original text don't indicate if you have wiring in place or not that would allow you to even consider chandeliers, pendants or track from the beam(s). Nothing is visible, and I'd assume that this room has a finished roof above, no attic - correct? If the wiring isn't in place, then you may have to also re-think your budget for lighting this space.
If you had access to the gable wall opposite the dining room, that could be the starting point so you could have a rail system installed hanging just below the ridge beam. If you used a two-circuit rail system you could have some lights face up to reflect ambient light off the ceiling to either side, and some lights face down to give good reading, accent, or task lighting as needed. Beam spreads (as mentioned by user fletchneff, can be varied as needed). An electrician might even be able to utilize remote RF switching if needed (since the photos don't show any existing switches).
These rail systems come in line voltage and low voltage types. Some pendants can even be hung from rail systems.
If interested in these options, check out WAC Lighting, Tech Lighting among others...
WAC FlexRail2 here: http://waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=5
Tech here: http://www.techlighting.com/Products/Systems/Two-Circuit-Monorail

I appreciate all your input. No there is no existing wiring in place for that ceiling, but we do have attic above.

I am considering lantern. Since the living room is adjacent to the dining room, adding two chandeliers in the living room would make three visible, including the one in the dining room. Would it be too much? - I guess it depends on the size and shape of chandeliers.

we have a similar ceiling and put two chandeliers spaced apart. it looks great. they were gunmetal bronze made by Marco lighting - about $700. hope that helps.

Hello! I've got two suggestions, track lighting aimed at the the fireplace to wash down the beautiful stonework and did you consider a large fan with lighting. It would not only provide ambient light but also circulate the warmth from the fireplace?

Clia, I just googled Marco lighting and saw one similar to what you described. It is indeed nice. Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it!

I like the idea of having a track lighting aimed at the fireplace. Maybe I'll have chandelier AND a track lighting. Lots of nice ideas. I am planning on some other remodeling (kitchen & bath), so this will be done when we get to do the remodel (next year).

I'd do a combination of track lights, flex lighting and handing chandelier or pendant.
I would invest in a good track light system that will accommodate both heads and hanging pendants.
These systems are quite complex, and can cost a good chunk of change BUT the value is very beneficial to your home and your enjoyment of your home.
If you need more information contact me directly I'd be glad to help you hone in on the look your after.

Its actually the Marco chandelier by Golden Lighting. Sorry!! Yes it works well in the space as it is a very large fixture but "see through". Have fun.

P, so many great ideas for your fantastic house! My little addition is just one which does not encroach into the handsome ceiling. Playing off of your hip accessories, how about round pendants flanking the fireplace, tubes of light in the corners, arcing floor lamps? I'm in the mood for a martini now...so mid-c.

Suggest you search houzz for chandeliers until you come across one (or several) that you love and work with your decor. THen start looking for knock-offs. You'll be surprised how easy this can be. Unless you really love the one in the dining room, change that one, too. They don't have to match, but they should relate.

@manon - Hooray another fan of (the newer styles of) track lighting! I agree that it is often a great solution.

Recessed lighting would be my choice. Might blend in better with the chestnut that fletchnet describes. Be sure to have one over the fireplace to highlight.

All depends on your budget...I would say if you have large enough budget get chandelier and recessed lights -- you don't show any lighting by your seating area--my question would be how can you read when sitting there or use a laptop without local lighting? What about floor lamps or table lamps?

PS--over the coffee table is where I would hang a large round open chandelier sort of like this one...which I found on Houzz

[houzz=]

Overhead pendants are awesome and a lot of fun. That said, there is a trend to bring lighting back down to human heights such as floor and table lamps. It is much more flattering and more moody and intimate for social gatherings. Instead of having the wiring put in place for ceiling mounts, you can have it run in the floor with outlets under you sofa so you can place the lights near your seating area.
Good luck!

I definitely like Drake interiors solution. Those fixtures are nicely updated and would go well with your decor :)

I like the Arcadia from Troy Lighting. It has a rustic finish to complement your beams, but a more transitional look.

I would use track lighting on the beams.

I would suggest the Camino from RH:)

Think a large single antler chandelier would look awesome. Look at antlerchandelier.com for some ideas. Also, Restoration Hardware had
a nice simple one. No shades, please.

Like the stone fireplace! How about making one of your own or modifying a used one from Craig's List with rustic branches? The Habitat for Humanity Stores often have awsome light fixtures, but it will be hard to get a pair. If you don't want to do it yourself, there are some for sale on Etsy.

I posted links on another chandelier question today on how to make your own and with some pics of rustic and christmas decorations to jazz up ordinary chandeliers.

You can also make some pretty cool ball-shaped chandeliers with starch and string or twine over a beach ball or exercise ball, esp. if you don't mind sacrificing the ball! How about a bottle chandelier? The links are here:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/can-you-help-make-this-up-to-date-dsvw-vd~222549

Up lights best way to sort out light now no damage to house warms room even with a old style candle wick bulb for ambience out of site just see the flickering on the walls cosy

It would be desireable to create layers of light so consider more than one source. I would recommend a chandelier that provides the character that you like and will add some light, interest and sparckle. Also consider cove lighting to graze the ceiling along the 2 long walls with something like WAC invisaled and floor or table lamps to provide task lighting. The balance of these multiple sources will created desireable scenes-

Instead of track lighting have you thought of cable lighting. There are a myriad of fixtures available and you could achieve the downlight feel without drilling into your beams.
It is modern/contemporary and inexpensive.
Check out some of the images here on houzz.
Uplight : [houzz=]
Downlight : [houzz=]
Spotlight or pendants : [houzz=]

You could run one cable track under the main beam, or two cable tracks. Have a downlight or two on the piano for functionality, a spotlight on your fireplace to create a feature, and have a few pendants around the seating area for mood.
In addition, I would put the two red chairs together and move the odd chair to another room, replace the cushions with silver and texture to tie into the more contemporary look. Plus, I love the large pictures on the wall in the dining room, so how about repeating that feel behind the piano. Get everything off the top of the piano and use the whole wall. [houzz=]

Whatever you do, please don't cut holes in your beams unless you are sure they are not holding anything up.

No track lighting!!! Even current styles are horribly dated looking! Such a great opportunity for large lantern type chandeliers as above or something unique and interesting. Pots and tracks are aesthetically bankrupt and your ceiling is so beautiful...here is your chance to highlight it! Style of light is so subjective u should definitely search Houzz archives but all 5 of US immediately agreed to pick beautiful hanging lights(whether simple pendants or chandeliers) that focus on the materials such as metals..,iron, rubbed bronze etc. good luck!

I'd go with very modern wall sconces. I think a chandelier would visually divide the room from every angle. And if you have a party people will be peering through the hanging lights to talk to each other. If you have the room behind the couch, a couch table with a lamp (provided you can wire a socket into the floor).
You have a lovely room now, take your time with the lighting.

While you're thinking through all the fantastic ideas above for permanent lighting, a quick & relatively inexpensive way to add light, warmth, shadow and, hence, dimension to an under-lit room is to place a live Kentia palm in one or more of the corners. Use an uplight tucked away in the corner between the planter and the wall to cast interesting shadows onto the ceiling and illuminating the dark corner. Have fun selecting a beautiful planter to enhance your decor ... so many styles and colors to choose from! For a ceramic planter, pull one of the colors out of your area rug, or a softer, paler version of the red jewel tone in your upholstery, or pull a complementary color from the fireplace stone. Choose a natural fiber woven material (think deep basket) if you'd like to add texture to the room with your planter.

I'm having the same situation on a house we're purchasing. I appreciate all the ideas too.

I once lived in a house with a ceiling similar to yours (higher & darker though--very "cavernous") with no ceiling lighting. We did not own the house, so none was going in, even if I wanted it. In addition to lamps, I employed uplighting to get as much light "up into the space" as possible, so I thought BennieBonita's suggestion was spot-on, if you decide to leave the ceiling as is. Which I would consider, and second Rast Sergeant's comment.

When I looked at your pictures, before anyone's response, I envisioned two ceiling lights. But, I LOVE InsideOut's ideas, too. As for track lighting, I think it looks best in purely modern interiors, and if you spare no expense. I don't think you can go wrong with recessed lighting, either, on dimmers, of course.

Although I have nothing more to add to the ideas here, I do want to comment on fixtures with Edison bulbs. I put two pendants and one island fixture in my kitchen that use Edison bulbs. As soon as I can, I will replace them! I like the fixtures, as long as the lights aren't on, but I CANNOT STAND the light they cast! I have since heard others comment on it, too. In the morning and night, especially, it is absolutely horrible (even with dimmers). If I did not have canned floods in the kitchen, I would have literally torn the fixtures down immediately, and used lamps until I decided on (and saved for!) replacements! Or, I would have just done without lighting, it is so bad! So, even though EB fixtures look really nice in pictures, I would proceed carefully with them...maybe buy an Edison bulb and put it in a lamp to see how you like the effect and color cast by the light, if you find yourself set on an EB fixture. Can't wait to see what you choose!

You are making the most common lighting mistake. Good lighting requires light at high, medium and lower levels in a room. Right now you only have one type of lighting which is in the mid-height level and concentrated at one end of the room where your music instruments are. A Chandelier would be high lighting you need1 quite large chandelier hanging over the lounging area. ( Measure the width of the room, multiply by 2 and that is the number you need for the size of the chandelier. Example room 24 x 16, multiply 16 x2=32. 32" is the diameter of the chandelier you need to purchase.) Susan Mills suggested chandelier is much the better choice for aesthetic reasons than the mod one.

Secondly, you have no task lighting on tables next to or behind the sofa or chairs. It is not terribly expensive to have an electrician come and put in floor outlets and in room such as yours, you need 2 in the areas where the seating is. Purchase a table to go between the chairs and a lamp, and a table for behind the sofa with 2 lamps.

An electrician could probably put in a couple of pin lights along the ceiling to wash the beautiful fireplace. A lighting specialist at an independent lighting firm - not a big box store - can show you what is available and will have info on how to install in your situation.

I would also look into sconces for the end walls of the room.
All of these things will give you the correct lighting. The attached photos show paneled ceilings with pin lighting. Also, a mix of other lighting.

we have a high ceiling 24 ft and we did wall sconces on a dimmer and a big chandelier higher up. made the mistake of too small a chandelier the first time and ended up changing it and spending more money a few years later. better to get it right the first time and spend a bit more.

I have just renovated a home on Long Island NY with pale vaulted, beamed ceilings. I am using tiny black halogen dimmable lights - some shine up some downward - they have 6" extensions and are adjustable in any direction - I love the look - no holes in the beams and lots of beautiful light. I believe there are spot and flood varieties.
I also researched many chandeliers for over my dining room table with these 30 ' ceilings - I like the look of John Pomp's clear band lights - beautiful, but expensive - there are some other varieties that are similar - O'Lampia in NYC has some. - hand blown glass - beautiful !!

photo of track lights on beam

I think this Orb light goes with all types of styles.

We are building a house now that has the open vaulted ceilings like yours. I am going to put in a chandelier that is similar to the one that looks like a circle of candles. No track lighting, no holes in the beams.

Track lighting - ICK. Try uplighting the gorgeous ceiling with some sconces at regular intervals around the room and high up on the wall, almost to the top where the ceiling meets the wall. It will throw a soft light everywhere without wrecking the plane of the ceiling. The color of the wood is light enough to reflect back below for nice soft ambient lighting.

I would use both axies of the room: put Insideout's lights on either side of the fireplace. This light will be where you will need it and will accent the contours of the stone.

I suggest that you sconses at either end pointing up, to accent the texture of the ceiling. Or just go with inside out.

Sure, a chandelier will add visual interest, but will stop people being able to see the ceiling at all because of the glare. I would start off doing all I could to avoid a chandelier and down lights. Instead, have light going up to the ceiling and emphasising its texture.

I, myself, personally, dislike chandeliers, because they are supposed to provide light but only end up being about themselves.

Wow I'm away from internet for the weekend, and found so many great ideas about lighting in my living room when I'm back. I'm amazed by the ideas and discussions posted. I learned a lot from your suggestions. Thank you all.

Katherine Marle, you are absolutely right about everything. We have moved in the house for more than a year, I know I needed to do something about the lighting in the living room, but we are so undecisive on what to do. You are right that right now we only have middle-level lighting. If you look closely, I have a small task light on the piano for my daughter's practicing, one scorch type up-lifting light (temporarily) for lighting up the whole room (not enough admittedly), and three other table lamps around the corners. You are also spot on on pointing out that I don't have a lamp around the louge area, that is precisely because there are no outlets on the floor (away from the walls). We made the mistake of not putting in the floor outlets when replacing the carpet with hardwood floor. I will definitely remedy this when we remodel kitchen & bath next year, along with fixing the lighting in the living room.

Currently I'm leaning toward a chandelier (I also looked at the one Susan Mills suggested from RH) above the lounge area, a spot light aiming at the fireplace, wall scones on the wall behind the piano, and table lamps around the sofa/chairs after we put in floor outlets. I'm gathering ideas and pictures on Houzz to finalize the details, and hope to achieve 'correct' lighting that Katherine mentioned.

track lights or two ceiling fans or two chandeliers

here's a project we finished recently....similar style / ceiling. I love this fixture, and it's similar to some of the previous comments.

I don't think that you need anything to mar your beautiful ceiling. Having a pair of sconces at each end of the room along with some table lamps and then a directional light to hilight your art piece above the fireplace, would be a nice layering of light. The sconces would be on either side of the door to your dining room and then on either side of the ?piano on the other end of the room. Maybe also have something with a little more height on the piano.

piperina318, can you give us an update? What did you do? I also have a vaulted ceiling room but need to replace the track lighting with something else I can actually reach.

Yeah, what's happening?

Sorry no update. I'm now in the midst of planning kitchen/bath remodel. The living room lighting will be done when we do the remodel next spring. I've almost set on a chandalier, scones and table lamps (once we put in floor outlet in the lounge area), but haven't finalized on specific models yet.