The National Electric Code (NEC) from 2011 requires that any part of a light fixture, including crystals dangling from chandeliers, must be a minimum of 8 feet above the highest portion of a tub's walls. This no-chandelier zone extends out horizontally 3 feet around the tub rim. The requirement promotes safety, so there's no chance of ever grabbing the chandelier while in a filled or wet tub. The installed light should also be rated for a moist or wet location -- many chandeliers are not.

I can't tell how much ceiling height you have there.

My first thought was no, as you have a lot going on in your bath nook without distracting from the beautiful art. But looking more closely you could hang a small fixture if it is not too ornate and doesn’t hang so far as to obstruct the painting.

You could do a semi-flush if you want something more than a recessed can, but I wouldn't do a chandy. The code and safety issues have already been mentioned, but I think chandeliers in bathrooms are best on fairly open spaces rather than an alcove. Any light fixture in that alcove would probably need to be small and fairly simple.

It might be somewhat of a challenge to clean, and with the steam from a tub might need to be cleaned fair often as dust would cling to the damp surfaces.

I will agree that if you want change, maybe a semi flush- not a chandelier.

I think it's a lovely space and you have enough going on there that I don't think a chandelier will enhance.

Jojoco - what an excellent idea!

Something like this would be pretty. It comes in different finishes.

This one is from Overstock but I've seen these elsewhere and I believe they come in a flush or semi-flush mount option on some sites.

Chandies act like a magnets if hair spray is used in the vicinity.

It could be a local code, but I was told I could NOT put lighting in and above my shower or my tub. Your code may be of a nature where you can, but of limited types.

I'm also toying for two years already with that idea of jojoco..:) to put in something but not to connect it..)) If something can go wrong with me in the tub it will..I'd be deadly afraid of a real chandelier. Something cool flash or semi-flash-I'd look into that maybe..I've a great vintage Austrian fixture that has to be rewired, so I think: maybe not to rewire it lol, but just to hang there..we have two lights over the tub, so...one can be easily shut, and it'll be enough light.

Having said all that..I'd miss your mobile that I came to love so much (it's interesting how protective I get over some houses on this site..they're not mine, but I get into this strange mode "don't change a thing" lol..ii's something I should analyze as I don't understand it myself)..art can be left, depending on style of the fixture , but the mobile..

I'll miss the mobile.

In short I love everything as is. If you still inclined to change-I like previous suggestions of smth shorter/not really wired (unless you need this light of course). wouldn't do anything that's potentially dangerous.

Thanks so much for all of your thoughts. I hadn't even thought about a semi-flush fixture, but am going to give that some more consideration. Ceiling height is 10 feet, so I don't think code would be restrictive. What I'm more concerned about is my ability to clean it easily. I do use a bit of hairspray from time to time, and know how badly even a light mist can gunk up everything in the immediate vicinity. I definitely would want a wired-in, functioning light too. I use the can fixture regularly.

Thanks for the style suggestions too. I'm going to keep looking and pondering.

Oh, and April - I still love my little mobile too! Funny how something so light and airy and seemingly insignificant still brings me a smile every time I see it. :-)

Even with 10 foot ceilings, I think you might have a clearance issue as the tub walls must be close to 2 feet high. Even a flush mount would intrude into the 8-foot no-use space.

I ended up adding a dimmer with remote to my recessed fixture. That allows me to have bright light when needed and soft light when soaking.

We have 9' ceilings and to get through inspection for occupancy had an LED flush mount ceiling fixture. But my intention was always to have a special light over my tub and in this case I subscribed to the 'go big or go home' philosophy! I use my tub a lot, some kind of delicious ambient light is a requirement. I understand about safety, codes and all that and normally I am a total rule follower. But not this time. Oh, well. If I were you I'd look for something vintage or otherwise unique - the off the rack stuff is fine but.... you're not an off the rack girl.

Pierced metal, probably Indian, possibly middle eastern

And at our old house I had a far smaller but also vintage ceramic and glass (30s or 40s) ceramic fixture that cast a lovely soft pink glow

I am mystified by the 8 ft code rule for a tub with no shower. Water wouldn't get near it. Could a 6ft tall person stand in the tub with water and grab ahold of the light and get electrocuted? Perhaps? Would they? I don't think IdaClaire is likely that tall and probably couldn't even reach that high. If there's a tall hubby who might, then I might rethink whether it's safe or not. I'd put a chandelier there if you want one and remove it when you sell the house.

Although, I think it looks great without a light fixture as it is now. I might more likely add sconces beside your painting if I thought I needed ambient light.That would highlight the painting without covering it up like a chandy will do.

I think they are afraid someone would stand on the edge of the tub and grab the fixture for balance if they were falling. Still, 8 feet above the tub wall seems like overkill for the majority.

Good points about the likelihood of an accident being absolutely nil. I'm the only one who ever uses the tub and can't foresee anything bad happening should I choose a fixture that's not within code. I'm really not even concerned about that aspect; my hesitation would be along the lines of installing a cleaning liability... but I'm still thinking about it!

Apart from the cleaning aspect, I would be worried about steam from the bath corroding parts of the fixture.

Well, I always have the ventilation system going when water is running in the shower or tub so steam isn't really an issue. I'd be concerned about my artwork if it were, but the paintings do fine in the bathroom.

I'm actually kinda digging this. (I have a Georgia O'Keeffe-esque affinity for antlers and bleached bones!)

Ida, I do like that!

Olychick I am mystified by the 8 ft code rule for a tub with no shower.

Me, too, actually. And my ceiling is 9 feet, and they said "no go". Pffft!

Thanks, Artemis! Although ... as I was getting ready this morning, I looked at the recessed light and thought there's something nice it its complete simplicity. So I'm torn, but definitely not a decision that I have to make right away. Will keep thinking on it.

Here's a mockup of the semiflush antler fixture, which is probably not scaled correctly since it's a pretty small piece. The mobile would definitely have to go if something were hung at the ceiling, I think.

I love the light, actually

But I'm staying faithful to the mobile..

I'm a very loyal person. Lol

PS electrical code is not written for for normal circumstances, it's written for "what ifs". Here in CA it's 900 pages in small print. We got very knowledgeable in it all when we were trying to get our way out of drilling 2 additional outlets in our new countertops. It's a very small kitchen, yet we had to have 6(six) outlets per that space. Just in case we're idiots. Or very unlucky. Or both. There was no argument the city would take. One couldn't appeal to some higher authority, or something. They say-you do.

I didn’t like that light when you first showed it. However, I really like it in your mock-up and think it looks nice in the room.

Here are some blingy shades that attach to existing recessed lights...they're kind of fun..

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/222186578/luxe-crystal-celine-easy-clip-on-magnet?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

Or there must be a way to attach something like the capiz shell shades that usually go around a bare lightbult....You can usually find stuff like that in World Market..

Those are fantastic penny!

Those are super cute, Penny! I think I've about decided to shelve the idea of a new fixture for the time being. It's not a necessity, and I kinda had a change of heart when chatting with my dad today when he said, "Ya know, some of my favorite projects are those I never did." Ha! He may have a point. But I thank you all for helping me to think this through.