I like can lights on dimmers. They fill in the dark corners, and balance out the central fixture. Regardless you don't want to rely on overhead lighting, picture lamps, table lamps, under cabinet lighting etc work together to create even lighting.

So sorry about the fire, glad everybody is ok. Can lights are nice for lighting rooms such as kitchens, walk in closets and maybe large bathrooms, but not bedrooms or hallways. We added small recessed lights along the large fireplace wall which is the darkest area of our living room space. With so many options we selected period appropriate lights for the rest of our home.

The victorians were famous for their dark interiors is that what you want / If so no pots but IMO we live a different kind of life and we like light so I think small 4” LED pots would be unobtrusive and provide nice overall lighting . Center lights are awful for creating shadows I don’t even like them in bedrooms with other lighting

The interior isn't historic anymore. I think it is terrific that you have salvaged some architectural elements, and your choice to reproduce the original aesthetics is a good (and safe) choice. But you won't have an original anymore, and you don't want a replicate with the same drawbacks.


Start by assessing how you want the rooms illuminated, and then go from there. You don't really want to live in the Victorian era in terms of lighting, refrigeration, laundry, showering, etc. do you?


This happened to a family member (house had to be gutted after a fire). It was a lovely 1920's Tudor by a well-known architect. Lovely home. But after the fire, it was GORGEOUS!!! they kept the basic layout, and similar trim styles and did the kitchens and baths in a style sympathetic to the home's original vintage. But they didn't try to reproduce the original.

Small LED cans are very unobtrusive and add light to dark corners without hassle. Victorians are notoriously dark but I don't like living and working in the dark. There's nothing wrong with putting modern lighting in a vintage property.

Good lighting is a rare major advantage of new houses in my opinion. Being able to combine old craftsmanship and style with new house features is a major plus to me