Depending on your budget you might want to add sun tubes and/or pendant lights over the breakfast bar. Open the space above the windows by having more windows installed.

Replace back splash with mirrored tiles for instant brightness.

If that is out of the budget try taking out that dark rug and replacing it with something lighter, brighter in color. Then replace the dark blinds with colorful Roman shades that coordinate with the new rug.

Next consider painting the bar stools lime green, bright orange or yellow to add a dash of happiness. If you don't want to paint them then recover them a bright print that coordinates with the rug and Roman shade fabric.

Add a large mirror above the windows.

Last, but not least you might consider painting the walls a wamer shade of white. The white you have has cool undertones which make the space seem even darker.

I remember seeing your room when you asked about furniture, etc. on the other side.

Carolyn, I really like the trestle pendant. My fan is placed directly over my range top, but not center of the island. Will I need to move this? Taking these pictures to a great lighting store tomorrow. Thank you for all your help! I really appreciate this! Work is starting soon!

janishill... thank you for adding the "dash of happiness". My husband really likes his brown. I am planning on painting the walls papaya by benjamin moore. I will post a picture of that tomorrow. Goodnight all!

Can I tlk you into using Consentino Chardonnay instead? They are very close, but the Papaya has cool undertones while the Consentino Chardonnay has warm undertones which will brighten the room. The cabinets have warm undertones as does the wood trim which will actually make this work better.

I know the CC will 'feel' so much better!

I do not believe it will be a problem if the light does not fall exactly in the middle of the island.

Here is an update everyone! We are adding box beams, added the fieplace to the ceiling and removed all three ceiling fans. We are adding a light over the kitchen island, putting a ceiling fan back over the dining table and a chandelier by the fireplace. Any input? I also need two fixtures over foyer hall and one over staircase. Your help is appreciated.

It's coming right along isn't it! I'm not so sure about the advisability of a fan over the dining table. Is it to cool the food??:) How close to the FP will the chandelier be? Can we see photos please of foyer hall and staircase?

Hi Carolyn! here are some more pics of foyer hall and stairs. We did remove the 4 high hat lighitng fixtures over the foyer and took down an oddly placed chandelier over stairs. Now... we have a blank slate for better lighting fixtures. We have three lighting outlets for over the great room. Do you think it best to drop a chandelier over the dining are, than the fireplace? I will post an old picture of the fans. Thanks again!

Hi missb, Yes I think a chandelier over the table would work better for you, unless you want to do multiple chandeliers which could also work. Fixtures over staircases are always tricky because you have to eventually change the light bulbs! Have you considered sconces for there, placed low enough so that a tall person can reach up to change the bulbs?

You have a beautiful kitchen! I'm sharing 3 of my favorite lighting example pictures. I agree that your ceiling fixtures need to be much closer to your work area to be effective. You may also want to consider adding lighting:

Carolyn...yes. I have considered other types of lighting. I have not ruled them out yet. If you could post some ideas of Chandeliers. I also posted again entitled Hudson Valley Home Staircase help. Take a look at that post. I cna not figure out how to get my column up from corner banister. lol

These are possible dining area chandeliers. I love the new rope and iron chandeliers such as this one from Ballards at under $400, a remarkable price. I don't know dimensions however. Ballards has been doing a good job with chandeliers recently and here's another I like, orb shaped this time. I also like the other two below.

I can't find your other posting. Can you give us a link to it please.

Update on the renovation. The ceiling with box beams and fireplace are complete. Here is a few pics, any input on paint samples in third picture would be great. The ceiling is ben Moore white down. The friend entrance has beadboard and Ben Moore templeton grey. We ordered lighting fixtures today and will try to post pics later! Thank you all,

Love the insects! My fav paint is the 3rd one.

I would ad a beam across my kitchen stained then hang some pendant lights from it an u can also do some accent spot lights from the beams. These also add more architectural interest.

I like the 3rd one as well.

Up lighting above your cabinets will help a lot to u can also use track lights black preferably

Lighting!.....and that massive triangle wall above your sink.....WINDOWS!....the natural light will lift your spirits!

Currey and Company 9979 Zara Foyer Pendant with Customizable Shades
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Skylights, skylights, skylights!!! And 2 gorgeous chandeliers above the island would be a wow factor!!! Plus a larger window above sink -as high as you could go will be fabulous!!!

Sorry for the above post. Trying to post a picture of lighting fixtures. Currey and co Zara fixture for main foyer. Two in hall entrance, flush mount and 1 over center of stairs, chandelier, 20" . Let me know what u think. Not sure if my chosen paint will work with Hesse fixtures. I have picked carrington beige and audobon russet on wall behind staircase. Any input?

My iPad spell check is driving me crazy!!!

cabinets 4U nailed it...
1) indirect lights over the top cabinets will bounce plenty of light off the ceiling. the crown will hide the fixture & you'll get all the benefit of brightness
2) indirect lights under the uppers will highlight your counter surface & brighten your splash

3) a beautiful drop fixture over the island will illuminate the space in the center of the kitchen. With such high ceilings it can be a pretty large dramatic fixture.

4) a fixture that matches the island fixture dropped over table

5) sconces on the side walls of cabinets beside sink... illuminate that area better

6) put everything on dimmers so can crank up or down for light levels.

7) lights inside uppers either side of window.. mirror backs, glass shelves. Will add sparkle & reflection

Lighting fixtures for foyer.
http://www.lightinguniverse.com/mini-chandeliers/currey-company-9979-winterthur-4-light-zara-flush-mini-chandelier-viejo-gold_g472115.html?isku=4419305&linkloc=collectionProductItemsImage

paint cabinets - with( floor paint )in benjamin moore - Decorators
White
and paint walls dark grey..benjamin moore - Stone
gorgeous

Another painting choice to make. Do I continue templeton grey by Benjamin Moore or add one wall audobon russet by stairs. Or do I wrap the walls of grey on left to around main foyer by stairs to the right? Not sure if russet goes w new lighting fixtures...but I love with cabinets.

wrap the grey around
it is easy on the eyes and changing color is shocking and interuptive and
the russett color is so old fashion!

look at the benjamin moore color - silver fox
if you don't want to go very dark grey, like BM - Stone
and if you choose a white anywhere, I love BM - Decorators White

Also have this chandelier...any comments? 12 light w shades Ralph Lauren Preston.

nice fabulous choice.. great size in keeping with the space. ... the lights on top of cabinets look a dramatic improvement.

You could get new cabnents that are a lighter color, or put some more windows to let the light shine in more easily.

My husband's expression is hysterical. Thank you Ralph Lauren for designing such a gorgeous fixture!

How long do you think you'll get your husband to stand there? I like the style of light you have chosen, can you get him to stand on a chair?

Gingerclaire, this pic was taken right before he almost dropped it backwards over his head. I am thinking ths fixture should go over our handmade oak trestle table? Or do you think in the kitchen?

Here is the table, it is our favorite wedding gift made by a Dear friend. I do still need to pick chairs... but I will save that for another post.

Try using a light cream or white paint for the cabinets. You can also install LED lights on the cabinets.

Update...here are he other fixtures for the foyer. Also opting my prints I m going to frame for the foyer. Any suggestions. Painting this week and crown molding begins.

Are the bird prints already in your collection, or you buying prints as part of the decorative process?

Gingerclaire I have an entire collection from an auction years ago. Do you think these will work?

I'm sure they'll work, but will you enjoy looking at them every day? That's the real question!

I will double check with husband. I plan on only using prints of birds we would see outside. Downstairs I have another wall to paint and decorate with family photos. I also have some really funny vintage photos of circus acts...men's trapeze, woman on old fashioned bike...all from the 30s . Now you have me thinking. Thank you!

FWIW - nothing works like daylight, and you seem to have room for it: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/natural-light-makes-almost-everything-better-dsvw-vd~376992

Either a high bank of windows or skylights would help. You have a great opportunity to come up with some fantastic lighting with that great ceiling. My ceilings are too low, but I would put in some terrific pendant lamps. There are so many styles to choose from. I have recessed spot lights all over my house. Because my ceilings aren't high, they work in the kitchen for work spaces. But a pendant brings the light down to where it's needed, without flooding the area. I rarely use most of my spot lights, because high ceiling lights are harsh and unflattering. Also, my kitchen lights are set into black recesses, that may be why they look much better, while the rest of the houses recessed spots have white backgrounds and I hate them. I'd look at a great kitchen design shop for light ideas, they often have the latest and best available trends. You can see how they work in a kitchen. Under-cabinet mounted lighting is key, and halogen lighting gives off a very nice light. My friend has tiny lights inside her cabinets with glass doors. You don't want to be personally responsible for heating up the planet, but using each type of light as needed could be very effective. You don't need all the lights on all the time.

Something eclectic would work beautifully in that space.

Chandelier finally up. I still need to adjust the height and waiting to put lamp shades on after painting is complete. Any input I do appreciate. I also like my long table on the side of the great room, but what would I do with the extra space by railing?

A butcher block counter-top would look great in this kitchen space to lighten it up. See: http://chopbloccuttingboards.com/butcher-block-countertops/

You're not far off at the height it is now, I bet it's feeling good now it's all coming together! Have you considered leaving it without shades?

I did like it without the shades. I figured I could change it up time to time. I hung the chandelier at 36" , but raised it to 45 1/2". Getting a lot of feedback that this is too high and too wide for table? My ceilings are a little bit under 16 '?

Coming along nicely...

missb, can you please tell me what color you painted the walls in your great room? I'm having a terrible time picking a color for mine and the painter wants to know now. Please help!!! Your room looks great!!!