I disagree with the curves vs straight lines description. Definitely more complicated!

Define traditional? There will also be a big range for that category and each of us will have a different picture in our minds.

I would look through several lighting sites and bookmark/copy the fixtures you like. Also look through Houzz photos for ideas. You can narrow your search terms, like "traditional dining room" so you don't have to look at thousands of photos!

The labels don’t matter. You need to choose the lighting you like and want to look at. Do you have photos of your house? Inspiration photos?

Fori, I hear you on getting what I want - determining what I want these days is a bit difficult lol.

Chispa, I thought it would be a bit more nuanced too. I was also surprised that they didn't offer to come out and see the spaces, esp since it is so many and I used them 13 years ago when I moved in. I just took that as a sign to spend $ elsewhere. I will search a bit more on Houzz. Defining traditional is certainly a stretch for me - it is more of "not" - not farmhouse or rustic, not modern or industrial etc. I have a mix of wood and painted trim - wood-stained beams in den, wood-stained cabinets (brown) in kitchen, wood-stained trim around windows, white painted baseboards and crown moulding. I will be purchasing dining room furniture and wanting duncan phyfe style. Drapes all over, with some floral and hopefully birds etc, with a more formal feel. Sorta a mix of victorian and what I grew up with in the 70s.

Hallett, I will try to keep that in mind, I just was hoping for some clear bullet points on what makes a light fixture "read" as traditional etc. A "flood" in my kitchen precipitated this and my house is in complete chaos right now with floor just starting to go down etc. I don't think a pic would say much at this point, but I may post a couple, tho it is pre-paint and pre-flooring, pre-countertop etc. Pups and I have been living in the master bedroom/bathroom for awhile now lol. I will post a few lights I like and see what you all think.

Thank you all.

I don't know if I'd just look at Houzz for inspiration, based on what you describe. I'd also look at pictures from more upscale homes like in AD--and not just new ones. No disrespect to Houzz, but it shows a lot of cutting edge trends and you want the enduring classics instead.

Those lights look a bit more Colonial to me, what you would have seen in the 90s, specially the curved one.

Fori, I will definitely look all over - probably why I am a bit confused lol Good idea about AD, thank you.

I wonder if my taste is a bit colonial - I love a black lantern. But I certainly want to update more than 1 decade.