Lighting Help - Old Light is Ruined, Hadn't Planned on Replacing

17 years ago

Due to a roof issue, which resulted in an entirely new roof and a mostly new ceiling, my kitchen lights had to be unscrewed from the ceiling. However, then the friend who did the work for me got "busy" and never came back to put the lights back up on the ceiling - and left them hanging by a wire for two months. Apparently the wiring was damaged by the water, and had to be replaced, and he was too busy to do it...though I don't know why the light couldn't be either taken all the way down or screwed back up until he got around to it. Of course, after two months of hanging by the wiring, the darn thing came crashing down, and is now ruined. I have two lighting fixtures in the kitchen, and while I had planned on keeping them, I now have to replace them both - because they matched.

So now I need new lighting, which is not at all in the budget (I'm trying to get cabinets back in the budget after the roof took all my savings - there is absolutely not one extra cent). I had planned on keeping the old lights for a while until I could afford to do anything different, and so I hadn't even considered new lighting.

Here is my floorplan:

I originally had two fixtures with florescent bulbs - not the best, but fine for now. The first one, the bigger of the two and the shattered one, ran parallel to the sink, and was about four feet long. The second fixture was about two feet long and perpendicular to the first. Now I'll just have two holes.

I'm planning white painted maple cabinets in an inset shaker style (gosh, and apparently so is everyone). Some sort of laminate because I can't afford soapstone. Polished nickel latches and pulls, stainless appliances, haven't bought the faucet yet. The walls are a cream color, and the floors are original 4" t&g pine that I'd like to waterlox. I'd like to put a farm style table in there, but I haven't yet figured out what size or where I'll put it.

Help! I have no idea what kind of lighting, what style, anything. I'm kind of going for a period vibe - its an old house, and I'd like the kitchen to look like it belongs in the house. I have big windows, but no other lighting in this room - no undercabinet, no accent lighting, etc. I have ceiling fans in most of the other rooms. I'm not thrilled with florescent, but I'd love to be able to find something that doesn't kill me price-wise. Most of my inspiration photos have either cans (not do-able), or pendants over islands (no island). I could do two pendants - but I envision myself or my company banging heads on them. I could do two shorter fixtures, but would two lights be enough light? Two chandelier type fixtures? More florescents? Track lighting (that just sounds so eighties!)? I know nothing about lighting!

If anyone can help me, its the people here. I'm lost! Thanks in advance!

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Comments (7)

chachashea
17 years ago
For a nice selection of period-style lights, check out Rejuvenation lighting. I've drooled over their catalog for years and recently put some semi-flush (Lombard with drum shade) and pendant (Willis with black cord and bell shade) lights in my kitchen remodel. Their website also has some catalog and customer photos that might give you some inspirations

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation Lighting
melanie1422
Original Author
17 years ago
I've been pouring over Rejuvenation, but I have no idea what would be good in that space - pendant, flush-mount, semi-flush, chandelier? Two lights, three lights, four lights? In a round arrangement or in a line?

I seem to like the mission style type lights best, and I'm kind of liking the billiard-style kind, so I can get two or three lights in a row by the sink...but will that be weird with nothing underneath? I have 8' ceilings... I don't want it to be too low. And then what for the other fixture? Does the table make a difference?

It seems that 90% of kitchens these days have islands, so in a kitchen with a table instead of an island, I have no idea what to do! I'm worried I won't have enough light if I do flush or semi-flush, but I don't want the fixture to hang too low. Any ideas?
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mikeandbarb
17 years ago
Ouch that bites. I know how you feel with being left hanging with thing's not getting done. We're having the same problems here.

I would check out lighting stores in your area, there are a lot of good deals right now. I went to Lee lighting and got a Chandelier, and two scones buy one get one free deal, they even had one scones for 3 bucks but they only had one left and I needed two. Got the Chandelier for half price at 79.00 dollars. Deals are out there you just have to look.

Hope thing's look up for you. Barb
paulines
17 years ago
Igloochick is a pro at restoring old fixtures - maybe she can offer you some words of advice or are the fixtures totally gonzo?
hk_san_diego
17 years ago
4 recessed can lights with flood light looking CFL bulbs. Maybe 2 pendants over the sink at head level . The Can lights are dirt cheap ,some mount in the dry wall ( no nailing attachment needed to structure / just cut the hole ).

I see pendants under $50 that don't look cheesy . Some also go with under cabinet halogen / LED / . Having choices for work or mood lighting .

Can lights should be laid out like sprinklers , one overlaps the other for complete coverage .
faucetman886
17 years ago
As much as I dislike them, flourescents are still probably your best bet for the area shown. They will give the most light, easiest to keep clean, cool (they dont give off heat like incandescent), and are probably the least expensive in the long run both on initial purchase and long term up keep. Look on Ebay, W.W.Grainger or outlet centers for lighting fixture stores in your area and find fixtures that have some style that will match your new decor.
melanie1422
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions!

The light is positively gone. It just shattered into a zillion pieces. And it wasn't all that great to begin with, but it came with the house so it was free.

I will check local places for a deal, but I have to decide what kind of lighting I want first!

I'd love to have cans & sink pendants, but that involves electrical work that I can't afford. My friend should be able to do it for me - but I might be old and gray by the time he got around to it.

Are there florescents that wouldn't look totally out of place in my vintagey kitchen?

Thanks!