#3

If you want contemporary/coastal, I don't think #3 works at all. As you say, it is described as French Empire. From the three you show, I would go for the lantern, but with glass and no wood.

You're too kind, my3dogs. I like your choice even better.

cyn427, thanks! so you think having the glass is better if I do a lantern style?

i am not too sure, but i was thinking for the empire chandelier, or any of the styles really, it would work as a coastal look if it has some natural "coastal" materials like jute or wood?

my3dogs, and allison, thanks for your input! my3dogs, I also like your choice better with the lights on the outside of the chandelier rather than inside the beadwork. I am not sure if the width of the chandelier might be too large with the candles on the outside. I will have to do some mock-ups to see.

I also have this chandelier in my dining room that both DH and I like. I could move it to the foyer, or get something with the same idea for the foyer. what do you think of this one?

Is the center wood or glass? Either way, I think that is a good choice for the foyer if it's the right size. The foyer is large and needs a the same in a chandelier.

What all do you plan to do to the interior to get a contemporary coastal look? What does the exterior style of the home?

Allison, the center of the chandelier is a light wood. Do you think I should repeat the same chandelier in both the dining and foyer, or go for two different ones? the dining and the foyer are both visible from the living room. I could also do one of the above choices for the dining rather than the foyer. I would love to get a sparkly one with some crystals but perhaps that would be more appropriate for dining rather than an entry?

For the interiors, I plan to refinish the floors a light color and paint the walls a neutral white to make it feel lighter. The coastal look would come from furniture, curtains, and lighting. We have no furniture yet, so it is really a blank slate at the moment. Do you have some other suggestions? These are some of my inspiration pics, mostly beachy/farmhousey/lakehousey pics:

Contemporary Coastal New Home · More Info

Pinecrest Residence · More Info

Lake House - Great Room · More Info

This is a pic of my house exterior. I think it is more of a traditional style. It was built in 1980. We want to repaint the brick and siding and maybe install a portico in the entryway.

Nice place! I like the idea of a portico. When you repaint, I would also paint the chimney. I was going to suggest replacing any wood on the house with painted cedar shake, but the board and batten leans to the beach/farm/lake look also. Have you decided on the color? I see you have a nice lake view. We just gave up ours. I am still somewhat sad about that!

Your current DR chandelier will look nice in the foyer and start the vibe you want. Then add a chandelier with some crystals in the DR. This one is also in the same collection and has a few crystals. Depends on how matchy-matchy you want to be.

I could also see one of Viola or Chappellet by Arteriors in your home - something with large beads, or even sea glass. DD1 has the small Viola in her walk-through-closet-turned-room. It has a little rope/twine on it, but I do worry about how dusty it will get over the years.... and don't think I would do a large chandelier or orb covered in rope. Same goes for the wicker/woven basket like fixtures - how do you keep those clean?!

My handyman is about to arrive for the day. I will try to post a few more ideas later. I like the last photos you've posted. The only thing I worry about in your home is the traditional chair rail and wainscot, but painting the walls and trim the same color will help it fade away a bit. The flooring looks like red oak, and it will be a big job to even get it close to the flooring in your photos (which is what they are calling European or French White Oak). We just installed French White Oak in our new home, and love it. There is a thread about lighter flooring floating around - you can search for it, or click on my name/profile and see my activity, as I have posted on that thread. I also have a large thread and a few smaller ones on our current home/project, if you are interested.

Thanks Allison! we are excited to finally have a house with a view after having lived with only views of our neighbor's garage for 15 years, lol. Our realtor calls it a winter view, when all the trees have no leaves, but we are also planning to do some backyard work to improve the views with some clearing and asking our neighbor permission to trim a few branches.

I can't blame you for missing your old home, I have it bookmarked as one of my favorites! Your new home is also going to be spectacular. I really enjoy seeing all of your progress pics!

I was thinking of painting the exterior a light green and doing cream trims and painting the brick white. But don't have my heart set on anything just yet.

yes, the floors are red oak. we debated refinishing versus replacing, but they are still in good condition, so I think we will just try to refinish. I saw a pic on houzz of someone who bleached their red oak, so i will see if it is possible.

I took a look at the Arteriors chandeliers you mentioned. they are quite nice! i especially love the shape of the Chappellet. But yes, I can see how cleaning anything with beads and twine may be difficult. I think if I do something like this, it definitely would be going in the dining which is at a lower level. There would be no way for me to dust it in the foyer, lol.

DH likes the chair rail, but I am not sure on it. I think perhaps we can find a new style to replace it that would work better. Right now it is only along the hallway and the stairwell, so would not be too much work to do something else. This chair rail is just nailed over the drywall which was painted a gloss to look like wainscoting, so it still has lots of dings.

Thank you! I'm glad you said you're thinking about removing the chair rail and wainscot trim. It will make a difference. I would also consider changing out the stairway railing if budget allows. Maybe you can have the house Photoshopped with some examples before diving in. I glanced at several of your Idea Books - you have lovely ideas!

Thanks Allison! I hadn't thought about changing the stair railing. I do plan on putting in a carpet runner on the stairs for safety, so I can see what will look good with that too. maybe just painting the railing would be sufficient.

I have been collecting too many ideas on houzz. to me, everything on this website looks good and then I save them. My problem now is filtering through them, lol.

I will try photoshopping in a few things to see what looks good too. thanks!