Please help with pendant sizing/location!

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

hi everyone,

My kitchen reno includes an island, 84" l x 36" w. It's a little complicated by the fact that after 61", there's a soffit that's perpendicular to the island - see horizontal line in photo. So I have to place the 2 pendants distributed evenly - does that make sense? I'm getting these pendants and am not sure if I should do 12" or 14"? And where would you place them?

Thanks!

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chicagoans

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

@Sally T: That sizing definitely helps! These are rough mockups, but IMO two pendants spaced evenly over the island could look cramped by the soffit and that may emphasize the soffit more than you like. A linear light might work better. I mocked up your pendants, a two light chandy in the same line, and a 3 light in a similar style (schoolhouse.) I'm no lighting expert - in fact I rely heavily on my KD for input - but maybe this will give you some ideas.

ETA: It will also help to know how much space you like between your counter and the bottom of your lights. My family is tall so I go a bit higher than the norm. But you can do the balloon trick to mock up what height you like:

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Comments (11)

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BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Is there some reason you can't post a photo of the area?

The scale of everything in the room has an influence on the size and design of the pendants.

Maybe they should only be cylinders!
Sally T
Original Author
3 years ago
@BeverlyFLADeziner - I just posted a photo of the island. Thanks!
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chispa
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
With a soffit cutting the ceiling, I would skip anything that might call attention the soffit and would just do recessed lights. Would have to see the space to make a final choice.
Sally T
Original Author
3 years ago
@chispa - we have 3 pendants there now - spacing from previous owners - and you really don't notice the soffit. It houses the LVL beam, HVAC, and plumbing.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
Yeah, your picture is not really illustrating the entire situation including the island that is impacting your pendant decision.
Sally T
Original Author
3 years ago
@BeverlyFLADeziner - hope that this helps - it's our kitchen design. Thank you!
chicagoans
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If your ceiling is high enough, and you have enough space between the island and the soffit, you could consider a wide linear light with a central downrod (or two narrowly spaced downrods.) (Unless you've already purchased the pendants you show and love them.)

But it would help to have your ceiling height and elevation dimensions. For example, how much space from counter to ceiling, from counter to bottom of soffit? Like rough mockup below (that assumes 9' ceiling. Obviously ceiling height could affect what you choose.)
Sally T thanked chicagoans
Sally T
Original Author
3 years ago
@chicagoans - thank you! DIstance from counter to soffit is 54". Counter to ceiling is 65". Ceilings are 101" from floor (8 ft 5 in).
Sally T
Original Author
3 years ago
@chicagoans - you are INCREDIBLE. I cannot tell you how much time I've spent tryng to sketch this out and you just nailed it. I'm so grateful. I think that the two-light looks better? What do you think? I really love the pendants but I think that you're right that it looks squished.

(also, upon reviewing my plan, I misread - the island is 82" long. Which software did you use?)

THANK YOU!!!!
chicagoans
3 years ago
Hi Sally, that's so nice, thanks! I like the two light also, and there's one that matches your pendants so hopefully you like it! I don't think the two inch difference on your island will change this too much, but I need to visualize things so I'd still try to mock up the light. (e.g., cut a strip of cardboard the width of the chandy, then attach balloons blown to the approximate globe size.) Looks like there are two sizes: 12" globes: 42" length, 12" wide, 8.25" deep. 14" globes: 44" length, 14" wide, 9" deep.

I just did the mockup in PowerPoint, using a graph paper image I copied from a Google search.
Sally T thanked chicagoans