In the absence of recessed lighting some uplighting certainly sounds like a good idea. I don't think a ceiling fan light at the top of a second story peak will be able to put much light down at floor level, so you'll need to supplement that somehow.

I'm skeptical about the knee wall track light idea, because 4' high is low enough that it would be easy to look down into them (blindingly bright) and it also sounds as if someone could accidentally touch the hot bulbs.

Jon,

Thanks for the feedback. The kneewall that I am referring to is not accessible from the loft. We have 8 foot walls, then a 4 foot kneewall (where I'm thinking of the track lights), so I guess technically I have 12 foot sidewalls, then the ceiling begins sloping another 10 feet to a total height of 22 feet tall. Does that make more sense? Don't know how to post pics on this site.

I agree the ceiling fans aren't adequate and want to somehow light the dining table. The challenge there is the 8-9 foot chain that would be required for a hanging fixture, it could be done but not sure how it would look. So any ideas for that area would be appreciated. I don't think I'll need a ceiling fixture for the seating area by the FP, as I'll have lamps there.

Thanks, Jill

Oh, I see. The uplighting from the knee walls is sounding better now. The previous owners of my house used wall-mounted track lighting in my finished attic, which is all sloping roof surfaces and has no horizontal ceiling on which to mount lights more conventionally. We position the fixtures to bounce light off of nearby wall and roof surfaces, and it's a very nice effect.

Most of what I know about lighting design is geared towards kitchens -- I'm out of my depth in rooms like you're describing. One thing I've found very helpful is to get a few of those cheap clip-on utility lights with aluminum reflectors and try out different sorts of bulbs, in different positions and orientations, to see what effects you get. This lets you experiment with many ideas very quickly, and is a lot of fun.

Jon,

Thanks for the input. I think the track lighting will be a go. I'm also glad to hear that it works in the slant ceiling, as my sewing room on the second level is like that and I was thinking that a track light was about my only option there.

Jill

We have a very similar, large area with a loft above one end, like you. We used a combo of 3 cans along each side, with R40 2700K dimmable CFLs, 3 sets of mini-halogen track floods that are pointed to the sides and down, and a large chandelier over the dining table, in front of the open kitchen.

With the link at bottom, in the first 2 pics of the series, you can see what it looks like from two other angles.

Have fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: Link

Bill,

Thank you so much for the pictures. I was having trouble visualizing a chain that long for the dining area fixture. I see that it isn't as noticeable as I thought it would be. We don't have the beams like you do, but will likely have wood ceilings. I am thinking the track lighting at the ends is going to work out really well for uplighting.

Your home is beautiful, we will have some similar angles in the upstairs, adds character I think. It's nice to be able to see something like what we are building.

Jill