Photos? Try swapping out some of the incandescent bulbs in the pole lamps for some "warm white" LED bulbs.

I like your idea of a head lamp!!!! ;). One for everyone?

Is the ceiling logs or flat?

Antler chandelier with moose head on wall

I see, this area is full of dark logs. I recommend some simple ceiling fixtures overhead, perhaps one between each set of beams. You might also consider painting the area between beams white. Other than that, you could try some $15 uplights in various corners or a half dozen identical floor lamps in a simple, classic design for less than $80 each.

Here are some simple, very effective spherical lights that drop down to whatever level you prefer. They are classics.

You're going to think I'm nuts, but if you can DIY I think making your own chandelier/sconces out of mason jars would be cool. Reclaimed wood (as long as you'd like), light kits (Edison bulbs) on a dimmer. Here is a mason jar sconce. Layered lighting really helps dark rooms.

A cluster of jars, or simply a row of jars on reclaimed wood panel hung from the ceiling. Imagine Edison bulbs inside a jar instead of just bulbs...

I love all your comments. Believe me, this cabin was built in 1924, and has been lovingly preserved. It has all the original furnishings, crank telephone, moose head, stone fireplace, striped canvas blinds, old rattan, green painted Victorian furniture, roll front desk, and oriental,rugs. It's an up north relic.

The timbers are filled with waddle and daub! So classic. But that means electrical is tough because the wires have to go on the outside of the logs.

My thinking, there is no way-finding light. The floors and walls are dark. I'm wondering if there are floor lights that are attractive. We have several designers in the family, so there is much scrutiny.

What geographic area, roughly? Wattle and daub is a challenge. Surface mount electrical conduit might work. Wiremold comes in several colors. You'd have to review the load on the circuits.

With several designers in the family, you could have a contest or try to reach a consensus.

apple pie's suggestion of the floor can up lights is a great idea. No dark corners. Floor lamps spread around the room (not the kind that shine up!) along with your current lighting should be an improvement.

Flameless candles clustered together and window lights on batteries may help.

North woods Minnesota! Lots of fishing here, and not many good restaurants! We spend lots of time cooking healthy fare, so the kitchen is well equipped! It's the bedrooms, living room, very dark, and bedrooms that are lacking.

Beautiful lakes in Minnesota. If we step back a bit, in 1924 the option of having lots of electrical lights just was not possible in many rural areas. Cabin owners back then may well have opted for modern conveniences such as overhead electrical lighting and outlets on every wall, if only they'd been able to get electricity. So updating the wiring and lighting doesn't seem inappropriate for a family log cabin to me. Sometimes inconvenient things that would have been tossed aside with a sigh of relief by their original owners as soon as better things came along are hallowed by long use. How your individual family members see things is one of those YMMV things- it's personal preference.

Another thing to look at is that in 90 years, many trees may have grown up around the cabin. Pruning some back could give you a lot more light in the windows. Wind breaks, snow breaks and shade are important, too, of course.

The ceiling beams present the most likely spot to mount up and down lighting...this would only require wiring to be installed up to the beam....there should be many tiny fixtures available to mount on top and bottom of the beam that could be painted to be almost invisible ...as to getting the wiring up there is it possible to use outdoor installation and drill thru at beam height with the least amount of intrusion on the structure?...look for a creative electrician to help you with ideas...as life goes on light becomes more and more important!..

I do agree with mounting the up and down lighting on the beams. There are three of them in the living room. Much like track lighting, but they would be invisible. Led's have come a long way. They'd have to be left on all the time, but would be more energy efficient than incandescent. I like the idea too, of changing out the chandelier bulbs to LED. Has anyone heard of electrical wiring that has options for outlets and "night Lights? The floors are dark, as are the walls. When the canvas blinds are drawn for inclement weather, it is especially dark.