Lighting recommendations please

9 years ago

I've finally been given the green light to complete my kitchen/dining area. We are adding hardwood flooring and pot lights. As well, we are also adding pendant lights over the island and a chandelier over the dining table. The dining area and kitchen are in the same room. Do you think a capiz chandelier would look okay over the dining table? And what island lighting would you recommend with a capiz chandelier. Does it have to match?

Featured Answer

Kimberly Huven

9 years ago

I would for sure do recessed lighting, go with 2 or 4" LED. If you need someone to help you with placement I would be happy to. Do NOT just let an electrician or contractor specify 6" cans and throw them in the pathways of the kitchen. I've see this happen too many times, if you're going to do it, do it right. As far as pendants over the island...I would say go for it.

If you properly do the recessed lighting, the pendants over the island can at that point be more accent lighting. If you'd like to use pendants over the island that provide good light output stick to clear and or seeded glass. Anything with color is obviously going to absorb more light. Take a look at companies like Feiss, Hinkley, and Tech Lighting for some good pendant options.

The Capiz shell fixture over the table would be a gorgeous idea!

http://www.crystorama.com/crystorama-3-light-dark-bronze-chandelier_5760.aspx#.WOkOVogrLIU

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Comments (8)

Sammy
9 years ago
I would do two recessed spotlights, not pendants, over the island.
PRO
BaBoo
9 years ago
Nice selection. Here is an idea for chandeliers and pendants in your space:
Lighting as a Jewelry · More Info

Lighting as a Jewelry · More Info
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Porter Edun
9 years ago
Recessed and some simple glass pendants

all come in different metal: brushed nickel, chrome, bronze........

A less heavy dining light perhaps. I do love drum shades, but the room has a lot of darker furnishings. A larger glass light or an orb perhaps... something see through would be nice.

antique silver vs bronze orb and lights in kitchen brushed nickel with glass vs. bronze.

larger scale glass light for dining

bronze orb also nice if you prefer bronze
Jennis
Original Author
9 years ago
Amazing advice! Thanks so much. I absolutely love the link you posted to that capiz chandelier. It's exactly what I'm looking for. And yes, definitely adding recessed lighting in the kitchen. Thanks all
PRO
John McLean, Architect
9 years ago
Before you add a chandelier that you think looks good by itself, try to imagine how as elaborate a chandelier as you suggest will look above your rather simple, unpretentious dining table and chairs. Do you really want the chandelier to visually compete with the art on the wall or block the view of it? Does that chandelier add something to the character of the room that you think is missing?

In the picture you provided, my eye goes directly to the current light fixture rather than to the room itself. It appears that the light fixture is directly in front of a person coming down the stairs, and blocking the view toward the fireplace.

If you feel the space really needs a suspended light fixture with a bold appearance, go for it. I might opt for something much simpler and less visually dominant. As suggested by the posters, the lights you place above the island should not compete with the fixture above the dining table. You might consider in either location installing a suspended fixture with a dimmer that provides some indirect light (upward toward the ceiling) as well as down light. Presumably you have continuous under cabinet light above your kitchen counter to provide good task light in that area.

Good luck!
P J
9 years ago
Wise thoughts here: It's easy to overlook those 3 aspects--utility, context, and impact.
Porter Edun
9 years ago
My thoughts in this room being dark on the fireplace wall with dark decor there, darker art on the wall and darker dining table is that less is less is more... A "see through" light in the dining to lighten up the space and simple pendant lights in the kitchen.... Good Luck!