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Design Dilemma
jlemail3

HELP...should I add an entry chandelier & what style??

7 years ago
We are remodeling and added a simi rustic oak hardwood in the living room and on the stairs & stained the banisters dark brown/looks black. The ceilings are double high with recessed lights. I want a transitional, kind of restoration hardware look. Our model has no entryway light. (Just recessed) I wonder if a chandelier hanging on a long chain would look stunning or just too much clutter. I guess it would be centered in front of the stairs...not sure how high. I’ll post pics of the area and some lights people have suggested. What do you think? Any other ideas?? Thanks!
Featured Answer
  • 7 years ago
    What a lovely /grand entrance ...but those little lamps will not do it! Either you need something dramatic /large or important ..or it will not add anything to this beautiful entrance .

    Comments (39)

    • 7 years ago
      Here are other lights friends suggested...
    • 7 years ago
      I would add a chandelier! Personally I like the second one in your last post. Make sure that you find something big enough for the space :)

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    • PRO
      7 years ago

      I too like the 2nd one in your second post! The others look too sparse.

    • 7 years ago
      How about just a track type lighting or recessed spots..over the various doors ..??
    • 7 years ago
      I thought the 2nd one in the 2nd post might look too thin and flimsy, but it could work. I think some are about 30” wide. Is that a good size? (There are about 10 recessed lights in the ceiling already)
    • 7 years ago
      If I remember correctly you add the width of the space and the height of the ceiling to get the diameter that you need. (That's how I approx. calculated it for my entrance with high ceiling and it worked. For example 15' ceiling and 10' entrance space would have to be at least 25 inches of a light.
    • 7 years ago
      Anya, my ceiling is 20’. You walk in my front door where there is a small area just as wide as the double doors with a regular ceiling over then opens immediately to the living room 20’ ceiling and 26 foot width room. That would make about a 46” fixture. Maybe my layout makes it different.
    • 7 years ago
      How wide is it from the wall by the stairwell to the wall next to front door (seen right in pic). 15ish? That would bring you to a 35 inch fixture?
    • 7 years ago
      Anya,
      From the wall on the first landing to the short wall by the front door is 16’. That lower ceiling area is 6’ X 3’ and from the doors to where the hardwood starts is 11’ (living room beyond). I’m thinking if the chandelier is centered between the stair banisters, it might be too far into the room...maybe a bit closer to the front door. I also saw several similar lights sold at pottery barn. Do you know how high off the ground the bottom of the light should be?Thanks!
    • 7 years ago

      This is the guide I used to figure out the size for my chandelier. I purchased a different chain for mine from Lowe's and then had the installer hold it at different lengths until it looked right. I have a high entrance window that I used to center it. It's definitely a little tricky to figure out.

    • 7 years ago
      Oh , I think you can do better than those;)!
    • 7 years ago
      Nice foyer!
    • 7 years ago

      I'd like to check whether there are any ceiling lights in the open part nearby? Is the kitchen in view? and what does it look like... style etc...

    • 7 years ago

      Draped jewelry chain finished in a dark oil rubbed bronze with gold highlights. With all the recessed ceiling lights you have, this type might be striking! small at 15 x 33"

      Lezzeno 3 Chandelier · More Info

      https://www.houzz.com/products/lezzeno-transitional-oil-rubbed-bronze-draped-chain-chandelier-prvw-vr~127217568

    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Surely too casual / 28" wide and beyond Restoration Hardware! -- vintage, and idk so I'm asking if anyone thinks this resembles Steampunk...


      Chandeliers 6 Light With Slate and Vintage Brass Metal & Radial Design 28" 360W · More Info


      [https://www.houzz.com/products/chandeliers-6-light-with-slate-and-vintage-brass-metal-and-radial-design-28-360w-prvw-vr~129139198[(https://www.houzz.com/products/chandeliers-6-light-with-slate-and-vintage-brass-metal-and-radial-design-28-360w-prvw-vr~129139198)Not

    • 7 years ago

      Is it 'key' that you're adding some semi-rustic elements?.... strong vertical in the doors and windows... so I like direction lynartist and mine too with irregular shapes that add a pleasing variety.

      Pendant 9-Light With Carbide Black Polished Nickel Hand Worked 55" 540W · More Info

      https://www.houzz.com/products/pendant-9-light-with-carbide-black-polished-nickel-hand-worked-55-540w-prvw-vr~113640068

    • PRO
      7 years ago

      I usually take the width of a room plus the length of a room and add those numbers together to get the diameter of a fixture. However, in this space, it is more difficult due to the way the stairs are configured. It doesn't look like there is a good place for a chandelier to hang properly. How about putting a great sconce on the wall at that landing instead. I think it would add interest and might work better.

      Safavieh Covington Wall Sconce · More Info


    • PRO
      7 years ago

      There are many choices available in this type wall sconce and sizing. I would want something fairly large. Restoration Hardware has some great choices, although they pricing is much higher.

    • 7 years ago
      I would put a gorgeous piece of art on the wall above the landing and forego the light fixture. And I love chandeliers. But, in this case, I think it would detract from the windows and everything else going on. Beautiful entrance.
    • 7 years ago
      I think your right Flo!
    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I wondered if 2 canvas-light art wouldn't look good - 1 on top of other... have railing, windows, furnishings, doors - fill in with chandelier ? ... more photos would be nice.

    • 7 years ago

      30" ? and 3 of similar ?

      "Earthy Tulips" Wrapped Canvas Art Print, 30"x30"x1.5" · More Info

      https://www.houzz.com/products/earthy-tulips-wrapped-canvas-art-print-30x30x15-prvw-vr~125493109

    • 7 years ago

      Framed:

      "Sepia Rose X-Ray Photograph" Black Framed Art Print, 32"x32"x1" · More Info


    • 7 years ago

      One of these with draped chain [or without]

      Cafe Terrace at Night - Van Gogh Tapestry Wall Hanging · More Info

      https://www.houzz.com/products/cafe-terrace-at-night-van-gogh-tapestry-wall-art-blue-prvw-vr~65982192

    • PRO
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago


      https://www.destinationlighting.com/item/lantern-pendant-light-4-lt-33-inch-tall-bronze/663938

    • 7 years ago
      Thank you everyone! I just took all the art off the walls and want a more neutral look. Deciding on what to put back. I have some large black & white photos, thick mat with black wood frames (restoration hardware has similar ones & gold maps with black wood frames.) I’m redoing the decor but just looking at chandeliers now. Instead of the entryway, it was suggested that I just hang one on the double high ceiling in the center of the living room. I kind of like the styles I posted or Beverly’s post or maybe some of pottery barns. So much to decide!
    • 7 years ago
      Ignore furniture that’s left except piano. This room has double high ceilings and I could put the chandelier hanging from the center. There are currently 6 recessed lights and I could replace the center one with the chandelier.
    • 7 years ago
      Nice room! Those chandeliers aren’t that great.
    • 7 years ago
      Hard to decide since I don’t want a fancy Chrystal chandelier. So many are doing the black bronze or iron here with the the natural wood floors. Just so many to choose from. I don’t want gold or silver either.
    • PRO
      7 years ago
      Here are a couple of chandeliers that might work for room.
    • 7 years ago
      It’s hard to get a good visual from the few pics you have posted!
    • 7 years ago
      What’s your budget?
    • 7 years ago
      Budget under $1000. White kitchen seen down the has lights as these..
    • 7 years ago
      All the fixtures look too busy too me next to your stairs and windows. I would be mor inclined to do something a bit more like this. A lot mobile effect that is a bit ethereal and softens the whole effect.
    • 7 years ago
      A lit mobile! Spell check;)!
    • PRO
      7 years ago
      The way your entry is designed seems to indicate you don’t have good place to hang chandelier except in great room. If these double doors (white) are your front doors, there is low ceiling so viewing a pretty chandelier will be unlikely so to do a great look i would find best spot in ceiling of great room for chandelier. Perhaps even over the piano area. Put your money where it makes the most statement. You don’t need the light with all the recessed lighting so this is for “wow” factor.
    • 7 years ago
      I agree Flo, I tried lots of different looks( I didn’t post them) and it’s just to much going on in this area! We really can’t see the rest of the room well but if it’s possible to put one in the living room we’re there’s more breathing space it would make more sense!
    • 7 years ago
      Op: Honestly, out of all of the options shown, your 3rd one looks the best
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