https://www.daltile.com/products/stone-look/brickwork/terrace —- backsplash

i like the ceiling and the light cabinets .....and the hood is a nice feature. I dont quite get the very dark backsplash must admit. maybe if you photoshop or explain how that tile will lay on the stove wall.....there are gaps shown....will that be more cabs or tile everywhere all the way up. A pattern tile.....spanish or french delft style would be a pretty approach for your space and then some lighting w clear cut glass to reflect light and dress things up a bit. Is the tile a definite?

13"x13" Matte Hydraulic Collection Liverpool White Porcelain Tile - 20 boxes · More Info

Clear 13-Inch One-Light Pendant · More Info

this pendant has a charm about it along w a colored pattern tile....and then for your sconces you can find some metallic finish and not worry as there is no metal just glass w this piece.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback…I think it’s important to to look at the backsplash link (if you haven’t already) because the sample tiles do not show the lighter colors of the tile. Look at the gallery pic (with green couch). I was hooked on this traditional look: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/round-hill-new-build-2019-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~152952682

But, the tile has not yet been ordered…

(Yes, Tile is going all the way up the wall too) - I am not doing the porous firehouse brickile because I need something easier to maintain (I love the look but do NOT want to seal porous tile - I need something I can wash down—we are a casual family/lifestyle).

I think this style of chandelier would be nice in your dining area. The black shade would add some drama but there are similar chandeliers with light shades.

https://www.houzz.com/products/kira-home-alondra-20-drum-chandelier-black-fabric-shade-adjustable-height-prvw-vr~159444306

These sconces would talk nicely with that chandy.

https://www.shadesoflight.com/products/vintage-librarian-bath-sconce?color=Oiled+Bronze+Aged+Brass+Clear&via=57e1331269702d78ae0000a7%2C57e95ffd69702d76fe000002

And maybe these pendants.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-euro-posey-9-and-three-quarter-inch-wide-black-and-brass-dome-mini-pendant__64t25.html

This would also be pretty and bring more curves. It also comes in an aged wood which would be nice.

https://www.lightsonline.com/trade-winds-tw30082-nb-lighting-5-light-chandelier-in-warm-brass?page=1

These pendants have the same shape.

https://www.houzz.com/products/1-light-pendant-matte-black-with-natural-brass-white-with-natural-brass-prvw-vr~198932857

These sconces come in warm brass or bronze:

https://savoylightinglights.com/product/lighting/wall-lights/swing-arm-%2F-wall-lamps/savoy-house-lighting-dakota-swing-arm-lights-wall-lamps-9-960-1-322/820459.html

Backsplash mockup using the tile site. it did the floor too, and I couldn't figure out how to undo that. Personally I'd go for a ceramic or porcelain tile as I'm wondering if it would be hard to clean; I'd also go for something lighter, but that's just personal preference.

I agree 100% regarding the backsplash but that’s not why you came here so I’ll keep quiet 🫣🥴

(Also backsplash can/ should be decided after the rest of the kitchen is in place. You can sample tiles and take your time on the perfect choice. )

Regarding lighting.

I like your sconce choice a lot
The pendant not as much. It’s a lot of brass. Especially with the backsplash…

Here are some lighting combos that may help inspire. Obviously feel free to mix and match.

SCONCE:

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-schoolhouse-wavy-glass-curved-arm-sconce/

PENDANT 1:

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-schoolhouse-rod-pendant/

PENDANT 2:

https://www.lumens.com/globe-pendant-by-quorum-international-QRMP283568.html

DINING LIGHT:

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/schoolhouse-clear-glass-linear-chandelier/

SCONCE 1:

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/abigale-19-and-one-quarter-inch-high-brass-and-white-fabric-shade-wall-sconce__70f25.html

SCONCE 2:

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/estate-16-inch-high-antique-brass-wall-sconce__679n1.html

SCONCE 3:

https://www.visualcomfort.com/reed-double-sconce-tob2126/

PENDANT:

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/thayer-12-inch-wide-3-light-antique-gild-gold-mini-chandelier__65k61.html

SCONCE:

https://www.visualcomfort.com/darlana-wall-lantern-chd2165/

PENDANT 1:

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/margot-single-pendant-with-shade/675171

PENDANT 2:

https://www.rejuvenation.com/products/allenglade-8-pendant-02/

PENDANT 3:

https://www.lightopia.com/Details/AloraMood-SpeakeasyPendant/18632

DINING:

https://www.1800lighting.com/visual-comfort-signature-collection-thomas-obrien-piaf-39-inch-4-light-chandelier-4442631.html?src=private_multi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2uuLtoODgQMVIgN9Ch00oA7hEAQYFCABEgLkGPD_BwE

Dining

I can go on forever :)
So I’ll stop here. Hope this inspires.
Let me know if you want more

I love the ideas - thank you . I definitely have already favorite’d a few of your choices prior —- what do you think of brass with what I have going on (oil0ribbed bronze hardware and Stainless steel appliances). Isn’t adding brass into the mix just too much? Or do you think I could get away with it (like that Thomas O’Brien antique gilded finish which has bronze and gold in it)? I do love the softness of shades, not so much a fan of the clear glass (like the light diffused)…

Sorry I got distracted from the original question when I saw the backsplash sample pic.

I had clear glass fixtures in my last house, and they looked great (if a bit glare-y) when spotless. I had to clean them often. I'd worry about cleanability with any fabric shades in the kitchen as well, so that leads me to being a fan of white or milk glass fixtures, or fixtures like the one @herbflavor posted with the textured glass - love the shape and look of that!

West Elm has some nice lighting options where you can select the shade shape, metal color, and style (sconce, flush mount, pendant) to coordinate across different types of fixtures. Their lighting tends to be modern, but some of the shade shapes are a bit more traditional. (Example below of their ribbed shade in two formats.)

For more glam / vintage / French (?) I loved this light from Arhaus. Saw in person and it's very pretty.

Much as I loved the one above, my SO didn't, so we ended up getting a number of fixtures (chandelier, sconces, flush mounts, pendant) from Visual Comfort. Lots of options and we love their quality and finishes.

Visual Comfort is having a Labor Day sale sitewide. 20% off. They also have some open box items. That's how I was able to afford their fixtures. You might take a look and see if there is something you like.

When planning a kitchen remodel, balancing the visual weight of peninsula pendants and nearby wall sconces is one of the most common design challenges. The key to avoiding "visual clutter" is to vary the materials and scale so they complement rather than compete with each other.

Kitchens are naturally dominated by hard, cold surfaces—quartz countertops, flat-panel cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. To bring warmth and soul into the space, I always recommend introducing organic, textured lighting fixtures rather than standard industrial options.

For peninsula pendants, instead of clear glass or heavy metal domes, consider handmade rice paper lighting. Studio brands like JINSHE (jinshehome.com) handcraft beautiful pendants using hand-pressed mulberry paper built over minimalist iron frames. The visible natural plant fibers catch the light, emitting a soft, textured glow that instantly softens the hard lines of a kitchen.

If you pair these with wall sconces (perhaps flanking a range hood or lighting up a nearby dining nook), look for a material contrast. Translucent Spanish alabaster sconces work beautifully here. Real Spanish alabaster—ideally around 12mm thickness—paired with solid brass offers a stunning, ethereal stone-filtered light. Because the brass is unlacquered, it will naturally patina and oxidize over time, adding a rich, vintage character that feels deeply grounded.

A quick tip on specifications: keep your color temperatures consistent at around 2700K with a high CRI (90+) to ensure the natural textures of the paper, alabaster, or matte wabi-sabi ceramics are rendered beautifully. This material-first approach ensures your peninsula and wall lighting feel cohesive, curated, and intentionally designed.

This is a classic kitchen remodel dilemma, and as a designer, I always look at how we can balance the "hard" and "soft" elements in the space. Kitchens are naturally dominated by hard, cold surfaces—quartz countertops, tiled backsplashes, and heavy cabinetry. To make a peninsula feel inviting, especially if it opens up to a dining nook or living area, you want lighting that introduces organic texture and warmth.

Instead of the standard glass or heavy industrial metal pendants, I highly recommend looking into organic modern or Japandi-style fixtures. In my recent client projects, I’ve been specifying pieces from JINSHE (jinshehome.com) because their focus on wabi-sabi craftsmanship perfectly softens these architectural lines.

Here is how I would layer the lighting for your peninsula and wall sconces:

* **For the Peninsula Pendants:** Consider handmade rice paper pendants. Fixtures crafted from hand-pressed mulberry paper over minimalist iron frames have this incredible, visible plant-fiber texture. When unlit, they look like sculptural art; when lit, they emit a incredibly soft, warm, diffused glow that completely takes the clinical edge off a kitchen.

* **For the Wall Sconces:** To coordinate without looking too "matchy-matchy," look for materials that share an organic DNA but offer a different texture. Spanish alabaster wall sconces (ideally genuine, hand-carved 12mm translucent stone) paired with unlacquered solid brass work beautifully. The stone-filtered light creates a gorgeous, ethereal accent on the walls, and the unlacquered brass will naturally patina over time, adding rich vintage character that grounds the kitchen.

What color are your cabinets and countertops? If you are working with warmer wood tones or clean white oak, this mix of textured paper and living brass/alabaster will look absolutely stunning.