We live in a 1911 Foursquare, and I've seen quite a few kitchens in historic homes without recessed lights. It's hard to recommend specific fixtures without knowing the style of your house and your kitchen. Rejuvination is a great source -- have you called them to discuss your project? We've purchased several fixtures from them and have found them to be extremely helpful. Tell them you want to complete a kitchen renovation without can lights and they'll go out of their way to help.

In general, you can use any combination of surface-mounted incandesant lights (or CF -- many of Rejuvination's lights are now available in CF versions). You can either use fewer large fixtures with higher-power bulbs, or more small fixtures with lower-power bulbs. Pendants over the sink and island (if applicable) are generally historically accurate as well. Undercounter lighting will help provide task lighting and can be easily hidden from view.

We're in the process of redoing our kitchen, and have decided to use a mix of surface-mounted and pendant lights from Rejuvination, along with 4" can lights with specular trim -- which almost visually disappear in a 9-foot ceiling), as well as under and above-cabinet lighting. It fits into the philosophy of our kitchen: a vintage look and feel -- cherry Craftsman-style furniture-style cabinets, narrow-stip oak floors, reproduction light fixtures, pushbutton switches, etc. -- coupled with modern conveniences like stainless steel pro-style appliances, etc.

Thanks so much for the suggestion to call Rejuvenation. I hand't yet done that.

Do you have any photos of your kitchen lighting to share?

Actually, we're in about the same stage you are -- although we don't have drywall stacked up in the garage! Our kitchen is completely gutted. Plumbing is complete, and I'm now working on wrapping up the electrical. Since I'm doing the work myself, it gives me the opportunity to play around with light fixture placement, etc. Essentially, our kitchen is about 16.5 feet by 13.5 feet, with an entry mudroom that's 8.5 by 7.5. I have placed 4" Halo recessed lights placed on the counter edges around the kitchen. The mudroom/entry, which will have one full wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinets, also has can lights. In addition, we're using one surface mount light in the mudroom, centered over the french doors. We will use the same light centered over the kitchen sink. Over the island, which is 70" long, we'll use two pendants.

For surface lights, we're leaning towards Grand Avenue from Rejuvenation -- http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC375/templates/selection.phtml For pendants, we'll probably use a pair of their Brightwood lights -- http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC162/templates/selection.phtml?n=v&custom_code=h38s&&custom_code=h38s&newC162[10FINISH]=C162BN

Good luck with your project.