I agree with Partim. I am very sensitive to light also and abhor overhead lighting, especially when it is the main source. It creates such a glare and makes everything look awful. Chandeliers are the worst. We have recessed lights in our kitchen but they are on a dimmer. That makes a huge difference. Be sure to use a lot of lamps, especially for reading.

Grapefruit, I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who hates one overhead light as the main or only light source, especially at night. Somehow it makes my brain feel itchy. I’m tempted to get rid of the overhead light in favor of sconces for ambient light in two different rooms.

Thanks all! I spent a lot of time at lighting stores today, glaring at those evil bare bulbs and smiling at the soft lit sconces. :)

Also design your kitchen with under-cabinet lighting to light up the task surfaces, lots of table lamps in all other rooms, and narrow shades on bare bulbs.

I hate glare also and think it is the sign of poor design; I often unscrew bulbs at restaurant tables because of the glare. And then there are the new quartz and LED car headlights...

OMG, those new headlights! I started driving with sunglasses...at night. :-<

Hi Mittens Cat-

I am with you!

In the first place, who the heck is your GC to insist on anything in the design of your home which you are paying for?

He really needs to know his place.

It's your money,

He works for you.

Puhleeze!

Secondly, your husband and you need to have a serious tête-à-tête.

(Need I say the GC is not invited?)

You tell him that bright light makes you ill and gives you headaches (if this is true) and when you get headaches XY and Z definitely do not happen and you don't think that he wants that, does he?

And you are remodelling to make you both comfortable and happy and healthy, not to suit some abstract idea of what someone else thinks is good design or to line someone else's pocket, Because you know that your husband is too smart to let someone else upsell him.

Blah, blah.

You know how to handle your hubby.

And make his favorite meal before this discussion, and have the discussion after dinner over some homemade brownies or chocolate chip cookies, or whatever is his favorite, even if you haven't made them for him since high school.

Maybe even as pillow talk. You know what worked with your man the best in the past.

Before you have this discussion, do some serious research and find some knockout photos of modern design that do not have recessed lighting.

If can print them out in 8 x 10, that's great. If not, save them to your tablet or lap top.

Men are visual more than auditory.

He will need to see the photos to be convinced.

Be sure to mention the names of the grande fromage architects or designers that did these spaces.

Even if he's never heard of them, he will still be somewhat hushed, because that's another thing about men as opposed to women.

They are far less likely than we are to admit what they don't know and will go along to make it look like they know what they really don't, especially in the areas that they think they should know, like building and construction, money, cars, building something, finding a place.

That's why most of them never read instructions when they build something and most of them will never read a map.

As far as ceiling fixtures there are plenty of transitional and modern ceiling fixtures where the bulbs are not visible.

Just look on Houzz.

I don't know what your tastes are.

If you give me a clue I can make some suggestions.

Capella LED Chandelier, Black · More Info

Deluxe Rounds Pendant Light Fixture, LED Bulb, Cool White Glow · More Info

Slamp Clizia Suspension Light, Large, Opal · More Info

I have no idea what your place is like or your taste, but here are some light fixtures that may be all wrong in taste, size etc that should not give off glare.

3-Light Semi-Flush Mount, Natural Brass · More Info

Crystorama Lighting Truax 3-Light Chandelier, Polished Nickel · More Info

3000 kelvin is a "softer" light - try to get these in your bulbs. Also using dimmers allows you to adjust the light to your preference - always recommend these!

Look here, these are modern rooms with lovely non-glare fixtures.

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/hammerton-studio-skyline-4-light-squarerectangle-chandelier-hali1018.html?piid=18790207

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/hammerton-studio-textured-glass-4-light-chandelier-hmso1220.html?piid=25926569%2C25926570%2C31956145

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/bover-mos-5-light-novelty-chandelier-apxs1107.html?piid=30805817

These are for rooms with some wood

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/cerno-plura-4-light-drum-chandelier-cxl1130.html?piid=16325002%2C16325003

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/aqua-creations-molecules-5-light-cluster-pendant-aqct1018.html

I can't save and copy the pictures, but have a look yourself.

This website has glorious and some very extravagant fixtures, but you can use the website to see the types and styles available and then look for the closest thing in what you can afford.

And do use the photos on that website to show your husband photos of modern decor with light fixtures and no recessed lighting.

Thanks all! Re DH, I think recessed lighting is just easier for him because it eliminates so many "messy"choices. :) And as far as our G.C., the man is a PRINCE (and working for half of what other GCs wanted to charge), so I can handle this one hankering of his.

Oh, and someone asked about our style, it's somewhere along the contemporary-MCM-Scandanavian spectrum. Ha.