Story of my life. Square peg - round hole. ;-)

Though this is starting to drive me slightly batty. I do rather love these for over the island:

But I think it would fight with any kind of oil lamp I put over the dining table, since they are almost always brass (rarely cast iron).

The antique (and more!(TM)) lighting place DID have a bunch of these:

And I was assured that "they can make anything into a light". But I'm not sure about that, either.

He did mention that if I didn't like the color of a fixture, they can change it, either by paint or powder coating.

How "matchy" do fixtures need to be, and how is it affected by choices for hardware on cabinets and doors?

Have you checked out Antropologie home? They have some things that seem like they'd be right up your alley.

https://www.anthropologie.com/lighting

Yay for Brick Street Lighting : )

How "matchy" do fixtures need to be, and how is it affected by choices for hardware on cabinets and doors?

My thought is always that fixtures does need to be "matchy" at all but just need to work/play well together. I don't think hardware has to come into it all, especially if you're doing an unkitchen. It's nicer, I think, especially for a project like this, when it looks as if the house came together over time, rather than everything selected at the same time out of the same catalogue. I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with that, though : ) .

OK, more help needed. I'm thinking that, since Bridge Street Lighting has both modern and vintage lighting, I should make a "map" of the house and then a visual list of what I'd like there. And then we can see what they've got that's kind of/sort of similar. I'm actually NOT sure that they have a "lighting designer" - not that that seemed to do much good with the other place.

Now, as a refresher, here is that main room:

(Yes, I know. The plan is a little catywampus, because that was a photo of the unrolled paper plans. The table is in blue - and probably over large. The fixture over the table is green.)

Now, if I end up using a refurbished parlor lamp over the table, like this:

(But, centered, and everything)

What do I do in the seating area on the other side of the room. Lighting Designer #1 said not to use any fixture, but only can lights from the ceiling and lamps - because anything hanging there would compete with the dining fixture. Correct? Or not?

I am planning for ceiling fan(s). She'd wanted to do a light fixture on the fan - an idea I hate. Especially since the fan is likely to be up amongst the beams and a light ON it would cast weird shadows.

The kitchen is on its way to being rearranged:

Range shifted and windows added. The pantry is also getting moved around a bit to accommodate an extra 'fridge. But this isn't necessarily the final iteration of THAT.

I'd like to minimize cans in the kitchen with pendants over the island. And then some small semi flush mounts. One to each side of the stove, one over the baking station on the North wall, opposite the short end of the island. Should I plan on more down the aisleway that becomes a hallway from the kitchen through to the master, and then around the corner toward the mudroom? And does anybody know where to find the itty bitty schoolhouse fixtures? Or something like this:

Or even some small, vintage-look lights with milk glass shades.

Idea me!

Starting backwards here : ) .

And does anybody know where to find the itty bitty schoolhouse fixtures? Or something like this:

Or even some small, vintage-look lights with milk glass shades.

Barn Light Electric,

https://www.barnlight.com/lighting/barn-lights/ceiling-pendants/stem-mount/the-kao-flush-mount/

Schoolhouse,

https://www.schoolhouse.com/products/alabax-small-sconce?utm_source=curalate_reveal&utm_content=curalate_reveal_6504&crl8_id=aaa3a783-fd57-4758-8006-27073b929413#crl8-gallery

https://www.schoolhouse.com/collections/surface-mount-fixtures/products/newbury-4

Home Depot,

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Esdale-5-in-1-Light-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Semi-Flushmount-with-Milk-Glass-Shade-HJD8011A-2/203194911?MERCH=REC--PIPHorizontal2_rr--206611419--203194911--N

Pottery Barn has this, not sure if this is small enough for you,

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-schoolhouse-flushmount-milk-glass/?pkey=cflushmounts&isx=0.0.7150

House of Antique Hardware has this, 9",

https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/Solid-Brass-Schoolhouse-Light-With-9-Shade

Rejuvenation,

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/jefferson-2-1-4in

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/r6434

and this one, which I really like,

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/hannah-medium-semi-flush-mount

This is at Olde Brick Lighting,

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/624050251/6-white-dome-shade-flush-mount-or-semi?ref=shop_home_active_49

if I end up using a refurbished parlor lamp over the table ... What do I do in the seating area on the other side of the room. Lighting Designer #1 said not to use any fixture, but only can lights from the ceiling and lamps - because anything hanging there would compete with the dining fixture. Correct? Or not?

You can definitely have another fixture in the seating area. Just find something that works well, and that's easy enough going with the same/similar aesthetic and/or similar elements, like milk glass or brass finish.

I am planning for ceiling fan(s). She'd wanted to do a light fixture on the fan - an idea I hate.

Me too.

Especially since the fan is likely to be up amongst the beams and a light ON it would cast weird shadows.

I dislike them and have no beams : ) .

I centered the lights, and tended to put the fans off-center. Our fans are simple and white to blend in with the (white) ceilings; I didn't want them to be a feature.

I'd like to minimize cans in the kitchen with pendants over the island.

I didn't much like can lights before our new build, but I love them as a layer of lighting in our kitchen, along with the pendants over the island, a smaller pendant over the sink, and undercabinet lighting, in addition to the large window by the sink. I think a few thoughtfully positioned recessed can lights would make a big difference.

Should I plan on more down the aisleway that becomes a hallway from the kitchen through to the master, and then around the corner toward the mudroom?

Do you mean, should you plan on more semi-flush mounts, or just more lighting in general? Yes to more light in general, but for me I would have to see a mock-up (because sadly I lack my builder husband's vision for this sort of thing), to see if it would look cluttered with more semi-flush mounts.

Do you mean, should you plan on more semi-flush mounts, or just more lighting in general? Yes to more light in general, but for me I would have to see a mock-up (because sadly I lack my builder husband's vision for this sort of thing), to see if it would look cluttered with more semi-flush mounts.

So I suppose the real question is - hallway cans or flush mounts? Tiny globes?

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/thurman-3-1-4in/configurations/5bb0383475bb04f831000bfa/customize/finish

Even tinier milk shades?

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/thurman-2-1-4in/configurations/5bb38d6375bb042dc2002311/customize/select_shade

I can't find any ceramic fixtures with that lovely shape as the blue one, but there are these:

https://www.schoolhouse.com/products/alabax-large

I do like the Hannah, as well. I actually think something like that would be very nice in the laundry and or/pantry.

The major decision here is going to be as a general theme: Do I go more "farmhouse" (in the working sense) which would involve trying to find that dining fixture in cast iron/black (they come that way, but less frequently) and then stick with black metal and white porcelain both for fixtures and door knobs, hinges, etc?

Or go with a fancier theme in general? Brass dining fixture, brass for the rest of the lights, and glass doorknobs with brass back plates and hinges?

I don't know if the fancy tile stove, with its gold accents should influence that, or not.

So I suppose the real question is - hallway cans or flush mounts?

How many fixtures are we talking about here, Holly?

The major decision here is going to be as a general theme: Do I go more "farmhouse" (in the working sense) which would involve trying to find that dining fixture in cast iron/black (they come that way, but less frequently) and then stick with black metal and white porcelain both for fixtures and door knobs, hinges, etc?

Or go with a fancier theme in general? Brass dining fixture, brass for the rest of the lights, and glass doorknobs with brass back plates and hinges?

I think you could easily mix a brass dining fixture with matte black elsewhere, as long as you stick to fixtures that look of the same period/style. And if you can repeat elements like the milk glass.

So here we see my "alabax" style fixtures in action (the white porcelain ceiling mounts). Now, do they only work with the tongue and groove ceiling? Because that part looks $$$.

I think the Alabax fixtures, esp in multiples, would work better without such a busy ceiling finish.

How high will your ceilings be, Holly? I think the small semi flush fixtures would be great in your hallway, unless your ceilings are low. They‘ll absolutely work on a regular drywall ceiling as well.

9 ft. I really do hate can lights, and I am hoping to be able to afford something else. The idea of tongue and groove just occurred to me. I like the way the semigloss finish bounces light around. I may get a price for doing the painted, pre primed mdf just through the kitchen, hall, and mudroom.

Holly, maybe these pics will help to give an idea of height, from decorator Lauren Liess's previous home, the kitchen and hearth room. (Though I have to say, I love almost everything she does but I didn't like the light installation at all, the quantity, the Edison bulbs, all those black fixtures on the white ceiling. It was just too much, too intrusive/obtrusive.) It's the Kao flushmount from Barn Light Electric.

I agree, Becky, I don’t like those at all! It’s often mentioned that can lights in lines look like a landing strip, but those are almost worse! A few down a hallway will not have that effect, imo.

Holly, that t&g look for the ceiling would be gorgeous!

Yeah, that's a bit overdone and I don't care for the contrast at all. I want something that says "tried and true" not "look at me!". Or something that makes you wonder if you can play Tic-Tac-Toe with the light switches...

Holly, even though it's overdone, I just wanted to show an installation where flushmounts were used instead of recessed can lights, since you said you don't like the latter. Though I don't know the ceiling height in that house, which is a 1970s colonial.

It's overdone now maybe-but I think Lauren Liess was the one to start it in the first place

(I also love all she does, well except maybe these black lights)

what I see on both pic-both ceilings have some kind of interest..one is ribbed(can you say "ribed"?), another-tongue and groove..

I think no contrast(white ones) might look cool in ordinary drywall ceilings, but I'd love to try first..like, irl. Try to put it there and look at it..

9 feet is the best height ever. if you ask me. well, 9 and 10))

It's overdone now maybe-but I think Lauren Liess was the one to start it in the first place

Sorry, april, I meant that particular installation is overdone -- too many fixtures, too much contrast, etc. I always thought part of the problem was getting the lights for free from Barn Light; having to purchase the lights, even with the trade discount, might have reined in the scope.

Well...not trying to start an argument, but to my eye, the photos above with all of the highly visible and distracting light fixtures is a perfect example of why it's often a good idea to choose task and ambient lighting schemes where the light source is not visible and only the illuminated area is the important thing about the scheme.

Accent lights are another matter, and I'm not talking about them.

But to make the entire ceiling a tapestry of accent lights is so distracting and unnecessary as to be criminal...or something like that.

There are so many other lighting options for this fine space without destroying the overall aesthetic with acne on the ceiling.

Your mileage may vary...

No argument, Virgil, I don't think too many of us like the LL installation. I just posted it as an example for Holly of using flushmounts instead of recessed can lights.

By the way, Happy American Thanksgiving to all : ) .

I don't care for the black-on-white, but I do like the white-on-white.. when their aren't too many of them.

While I get the modern aesthetic for "clean lines", etc, I don't really share it. And sometimes trying to encourage a vintage vibe means eschewing overt modernity - like can lights. I think a lot of tiny details can communicate the idea that this house is something older, evolved, grown in place. Rather than "plunked." If you will. Things like light fixtures and other treatments that reflect an earlier period are one of those little cues.

And thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes! I'm just out the door for a moment for a few last minute items, in order to make pies, etc.

I think my other major option is something along these lines:

Though possibly using a white porcelain fixture, to make it less obtrusive yet, while still clearly not a modern can light:

Pendant-wise, I also happened across these. Quite inexpensive, and the only pressed milk glass fixtures I've seen:

These last few definitely have more of an "old school", "old world" look to them, whereas the Alabax, while definitely Scandi style, has more of a mid-century look.

Saw this pendant in a local lifestyle magazine and thought of this thread.

https://www.lasvit.com/product/pendant/neverending-glory-la-scala/#intro

(Couldn't find any pricing though so.... :( )

And yet, the Alabax fixtures date from the 20's and 30's when everything was all about "sanitary." ;-)

Thank you, Tartan. That's a neat one, too!

And yet, the Alabax fixtures date from the 20's and 30's

Ahead of their time : ) .

I thought of you when I saw this beautiful fixture on "Chairish" today. It's on sale! They have some other ones today that you may be interested in.

https://www.chairish.com/product/1409215/1960s-vintage-murano-caged-opaline-glass-lantern

OMG. That is swoon-worthy, riverrat1.

Good luck in your search, Holly. I'm living vicariously through you. :)

Ahead of their time : )

I might say rather, "nothing is ever as new as we think it is." MCM was preceded by Deco, whose clean lines were a response to the overly ornamented Victorian era. The pendulum swings back and forth. And, of course, there is always the tension between style and function. Purely functional items tend to be more simple and clean-lined.

I did pick Dad's brain a bit last night, as well. (He's a frustrated fine carpenter with a hobbyist's interest in historical regional architecture. This culminated in getting to tour a local Wright house WITH the brothers who were the carpenters on that job. They pointed out how everything was put together). He opined that tongue and groove ceilings would be appropriate to a farmhouse in more "utilitarian" portions of the house - kitchen, laundry, pantry, "back hall," etc. The "front room" would be more likely to be plastered. He also pointed out that, really, to effectively convey the conceit, the ceilings upstairs should be entirely tongue and groove as well. And reminded me that my mother an her sisters all slept in one long upstairs that traversed the house - no bedrooms, just one long expanse with beds along both long walls. With a tongue and groove ceiling. (I'd forgotten, and the house is now gone). Now I am wishing I'd had the sense to go fish the old porcelain sconces out of it before it came down!

All right, my lovelies. I'm revisiting this because we're finally moving toward a hard start and I had a sit down with my designer.

She felt that the parlor lamp style I had picked out for my dining area does not flow at all with the Moravian star I'd been looking at for the entry way and stairwell.

What she suggested is that I either stick with the school house fixtures i the kitchen, etc. In which case I could use the star. And remain fairly consistent through the house, then, with the schoolhouse style.

OR go all in on the vintage-style.

Soooo. I'm pretty set on the parlor lamp in the dining room. It's such a fixture of the Swedish farmhouse that I think I'll feel like that area is "wrong" without it.

Therefore, what sort of vintage-y pendant WOULD work for the entryway (which is modest and has a 9' ceiling), and what for the switchback stairwell (which is enclosed, so that my autistic child doesn't try to play mountain climber on open railings, but DOES have a tall window).

I'm still trying to avoid cans in the kitchen and hallway. Suggestions for small fixtures that would have a "vintage-y" feel and would play well with that parlor lamp are also appreciated.

Would something like this work for the entry?

And of course, I am always Alice in Wonderland when trying to shop for things. My biggest annoyance at the moment is knowing that these vintage fixtures exist, but only finding them listed on a site in Japan (usually already sold). They're French. Any leads?

And then, if I were to scrap the schoolhouse flush mounts:

Would something like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Work with the parlor lamp?

And should I consider sconces (not these, but A sconce) over the windows, rather than flush mounts?

I appreciate your designer's experience, but I don't agree that the parlor hanging gas lamp and Moravian star don't work well together. I would give that some more thought.

If she wins on this though, yes, that pendant works, though it doesn't seem to have enough presence for an entry, even if it is modest. Just make sure it gives off enough light for the space. What about something like Rejuvenation's Brooklyn semi-flush chandelier?

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/holly/configurations/5ca7699eddc48d1f390fde14

My biggest annoyance at the moment is knowing that these vintage fixtures exist, but only finding them listed on a site in Japan (usually already sold). They're French. Any leads?

How many sconces do you need, and what are your search terms?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/660128310/french-antique-wall-sconce-and-glass

In your follow-up posts, are the replacements for the schoolhouse mounts for the entry or in place of can lighting throughout?

Aside from the possibility of sconces, what's the current plan for lighting in the kitchen? I'm just wondering how busy it will be.

Huh. I tried "French Rose Sconce," "French Rose Light" and a number of other search strings and never had that come up. :-) Well, at least now I know they exist on the secondary market so I can give some thought to where I might use them to best effect and what precisely to look for. :-)

I have mixed feelings about the stars. And still looking for a good entryway substitute. Although I do see what she's saying, in that, if I really lean hard to the vintage lights the star will look out of place. I found this today and am contemplating it for the master suite.

I do like the white porcelain base with the petticoat glass shade. And that I could probably do in quantity, since it's pretty easy to find the white power coated base fixtures, and a little hunting should turn up sufficient vintage shades.

Right now, I'm thinking about a couple pendants over the island:

And that's what I've got so far. I don't really have upper cabinets, so no under cab lighting. I really DO hate cans, but I see what you're saying. The plain porcelain cup fixtures might be less distracting.

What about something like this, Livex Harbor, for the entryway?

https://www.amazon.com/Livex-Lighting-5037-01-3-Light-Ceiling/dp/B00E3EF6SA

I tried "French Rose Sconce," "French Rose Light" and a number of other search strings and never had that come up. :-) Well, at least now I know they exist on the secondary market

Are you finding new reproductions available in Japan?

I believe I Googled (have not had coffee yet and am between checking for lambs) --

French art deco flower sconce

French art nouveau flower sconce

French art deco rose sconce

French art nouveau rose sconce

The Japanese sites actually have the genuine articles. There was a mad craze for Western things when the Far East first opened to the west, about matching the Western love of porcelain and lacquer.

I found a few more on Etsy. I will likely check Ebay, too, although that requires more patience as their search algorithms aren't as good and their merchandise is broader to start with.

I agree with Becky. The star and hanging parlour lamp are fine together. I find the star timeless and both fixtures have similar colours and materials. Shapes are quite different but the "feel" is similar to my eye. Can they be seen at the same time?

The rose sconces are divine. Wishing you all the luck finding what you need. :)

The star and hanging parlour lamp are fine together. I find the star timeless and both fixtures have similar colours and materials. Shapes are quite different but the "feel" is similar to my eye. Can they be seen at the same time?

I can't remember which designer had the advice, whether it's Bunny W or Laurel Bern or Lauren Liess, but the idea with light fixtures is, especially if they can be seen at the same time, to have something visually in common, like the same color or type of finish (for example, milk glass and bronze) or same shape, etc.

You've been thinking about this house for so long, Holly, that I have no doubt you can see all the rooms in your mind's eye, and I would trust that view at this point.

When I was doubting myself with our house, I would just think, if I saw whatever I was contemplating in Bunny Williams', Ben Pentreath's, Tom Scheerer's, or Michael Bastian's home, would I find it appalling or charming?

“Appalling or charming”? Now, there’s a litmus test that simplifies things!!

Well, just remember I hadn't had coffee yet and we're dealing with lambing : ) . Simple is the only thing that works around here in the Spring!

Haha, becky. Seriously, I think it's a lovely way of thinking about things. It's easy to overthink decisions about certain elements in a home. Once we're living there, life takes over and we revel in the whole vibe of the house; we don't fixate on individual elements (unless we compromised). Besides, it's not as if we'll be giving family and friends tours of our place while offering disclaimers when we step into a new room "I know this fixture doesn't really go with the other one but...", is it? :P

Holly, I say trust your gut and taste to make this house your home. Hope all goes well with the lambing, becky!

we don't fixate on individual elements (unless we compromised)

I think this is also very important to keep in mind, especially for when the project, whether it's a whole house or just a room, is finished. I think going with one's gut is key here.

I'm probably overthinking the whole thing. :-) But it beats think overthinking the budget. Since I haven't found an extra $100K in the mattress or anything.

@beckysharp - with your search terms I even happened across a bunch of extra rose shades on Ebay.

I briefly thought about this for the entry:

But that might be gilding the lily. So to speak.

Possibly I ought to sort of pick a time period, and try to mostly stick with it to avoid too much hodge podge.

Let's face it, there are antiques like the rose fixtures. And plain ol' vintage:

And I'm not sure the two styles mix that well.

That gilded lily fixture is beautiful : ) .

with your search terms I even happened across a bunch of extra rose shades on Ebay

Yay : ) . It's been a while since I've used my research skills for history studies and reporting.

I'm not sure the two styles mix that well.

I can't remember the backstory for the house you came up with, but it's possible that the newer generation added some light fixtures to the original ones still in the house, no? I guess it depends where in the house each fixture ends up, too.

That time when you find a vintage oil heater and have it converted into a 2-buld electric lamp that LOOKS like it's still got a burning flame....