I am having natural cherry cabinets installed.. they took out the old oak cabinets yesterday and are half way done installing the new.. I am not having major work done but wow it sure feels like it LOL I also have a large garden window and I wouldn't trade it for anything.. just love all the light it brings in and looking outside while I do dishes.. I put in two recessed lights and it give my kitchen a very clean uncluttered look. I have those two on a separate switch then the other recessed lights I added a year ago. I don't think I would care for an over the sink light but that is personal choice I'm sure. Good luck on your remodel.. I hope to post photo's after I recover from this!

I've attached 2 pictures of my lights hanging from my 8' ceiling. From bottom to top, my light measures 24" and it is the perfect distance. I don't think I would want it shorter. You have a much larger window than mine and probably a better view - mine is of carport. If you have a nice view, maybe you should consider something much closer to the ceiling that would not impede the view.

Thank you, Renaay and Doraville. Interesting that you have two different points of view.

Anyone else want to weigh in on my dilemma?

Just another thought here eastbaymom.. I feel a garden window is suppose to give you more of that open look out into the yard and I think it might just look strange to have a hanging light in front of it.. Doraville's window isn't what I consider a garden window so it works there. Just another thought with my first cup of coffee LOL

I will chime in, as I had a garden window in my previous house. I loved it! It was a brand new home and had recessed lighting only. I agree with renayy, and I haven't even had my coffee yet.

You could try dangling something in front of the window to give yourself a visual. I am constantly doing stuff like that. My DH has become very good a holding stuff up for me!

I have a bay window in front of my sink. I debating whether to have a recessed light on a separate switch for over the sink. I had that before, but rarely used it (it was the light we left on if we went on vacation). I like the look of the hanging pendants, but want to only have pendants over my island. I thought it may be too much to have pendants over both areas.

Completely different view: no pendant lights or chandelier. Make the window a focal point and light it from top inside or with some type of cabinet lighting -- would be beautiful at night if you have shelves and plants. Quite unique. The light fixtures should not show there IMO.

I would say no light at all and make the window focal point like rococogurl said...
If you have to have a light, try for something that will no block the view. Definately not chandeliers or any dangling contraption...

I don't think I disagreed with Renaay since I suggested something not to impede view and certainly that would include recessed lights. I think others have also made valid points about maybe not needing a light at all. Because of outside light, I don't really use my over the sinks lights that much. However, you would need to figure out if you have enough light for evening dinner parties.

I would not do the hanging light over the sink but I would do the recessed. I use my recessed light often. But I do love the light you picked and would use it somewhere else if you have a spot!

The important questions are: what you do at the sink and how much light it requires. Don't worry about the "date" of the window.

I had a closed pendant globe hanging over my sink for many, many years. It was invaluable for work in that place--washing veg and dishes, etc--and did not shine directly into my eyes.

Additionally, I found it very friendly. I always chose it over the ceiling light if I had a choice. I could still look out the window behind it.

I have a brick wall as my view while washing dishes and I am very jealous of your garden window. I think small pendants or recessed would look great (along with lots of hers and potted tomato plants! lol). I don't think I'd put a chandelier there, though. What about removing the oak valanace and using something like the photo below?

Here is a link that might be useful: light over garden window

I'm happy with no light hanging down. This is on a working cattle ranch in a old homestead.

montana, love your cabs!

I did a mission style sconce on the wall over my window. I like leaving it on at night.

Even though I have lots of natural light in our kitchen with windows facing 3 different directions, I find lights over the sinks very important, especially during the darker 6 months of the year.

We have pendants. I like the clean look of recessed or flush lights but I also like the interest a nice looking pendant adds. We don't have much wall space and I use cabinet space for storage, not for display. The lighting fixtures are one of the few places where I feel I can add some personality. We don't have window treatments.

{{!gwi}}

Sorry about the glare. I haven't figured out how to photograph near windows properly.

I really like kompy's light fixture mounted on the wall. I wish I had thought of that!

Kompy, I love what you did! I think I'm going to look for something like that. Do you remember where you found it?

And thanks to all who shared different ideas and pictures! All those beautiful woods are making me impatient for our new cabinets to arrive.

Kompy, I love that scone! Where did you find it?? Thanks!

Thanks guys. I sure do remember....the link is below.
Rejuvenation!

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation Classic American Lighting

Depending upon your style, in that same vein as Kompy, you can use a sconce....there is the Boston Functional Library light that you can bend and put over your kitchen sink. It's by Circa Lighting and comes in a few finishes.
{{!gwi}}From Misc photos