Kitchen and Breakfast Room Lighting
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 07:54PM
We are finding it much easier to blog more regularly if we blog about the things that we are working on...
We get double duty out of our research...
Lighting is a constant search, so this will be the first of many posts focusing on different aspects of lighting...
We can't stress enough the importance of good lighting..
first for function... and equally as important for aesthetics...
Scale is everything...quality means a lot, and unique is what makes the difference in the end...
It saddens us to see how many nice homes are filled with builder chosen fixtures that were all ordered at once from a lighting supplier. The salesman has taken a lighting list ... checked off a budget and chosen the fixtures... Ugh!
Today we are focusing on kitchens...this can involve more than one fixture...normally an island...and more than likely open to a casual dining area...
Here's some inspiration we found ...let's see what you think?
We're sure you've seen several of these images before...but isn't it interesting to focus merely on the lighting?...
In the few instances where there is the ideal spot ...sconces are incredible in a kitchen...a little more unexpected in this room of the house...
We're a big fan of lanterns...and really love a beautiful chandelier...the two go so well together.
One of our very favorite light fixtures ever...
is hanging over the breakfast table in the last image from At Home in Arkansas...this is one of our projects, and we now carry the chandelier in our online store.
It also comes in a large round and smaller sizes as well...but this 6 arm beauty is truly amazing. Combining different fixtures over the island and casual dining table in open floor plans can be a challenge...this piece mixes well with everything...lanterns, pendants or an iron chandelier with candles.
Click here for more details...
It's your turn. Let's talk!
Mona Thompson | 18 Comments | Share Article | tagged Breakfast Room Lighting, Burlap Drum Shade, French Chandeliers, Iron Chandeliers, Island Pendants, Kitchen Lighting, Lanterns, Providence Ltd. Blog, Providence Ltd. Design | in Casual Dining, French Design, Kitchen, Lanterns, Lighting, Online Shop
Reader Comments (18)
So many inspiring pictures to look at and take in. The lighting you're talking about is only the beginning! You are so so right, Lighting is about function,beauty and placement! Do all three well and a room is magical! While I may not agree with the lighting decisions I see in several of tech pictures, I've ben made to think and evaluate in an effort to understand why. I love these kinds of posts.
i realized a couple points are important to me. I much prefer to see chandelier/pendants/ etc. in odd numbers. Two feels visually static. I, too, love sconces in kitchens. (I do love sconces as pairs...) Having said that, I would never place them as in your second image. At night, the glare of the light from the sconces would prevent me from seeing the view beyond. Having said that, I'm perfectly comfortable with the sconces in the "breakfast nook" image, where they can fold out as reading lamps and fold back out of the way as needed. What really became clear to me was how an entire room can "spin around" a chandelier. Take it away, the room falls flat on it's face.
Great post!
Cheers,
John
Love your "research" Mona. Great images and great fixtures. I always feel lighting can really set the style of a room.
Mona,
So many of my favorite images. Can't wait to see the room that your doing. Don't forget to take pictures.
I'm doing the same these days - blogging about my inspirations, projects, etc. and it works! :) I am also partial to lanterns and agree - why not go the extra mile for something special? Hope you're doing well and enjoying Summer!
You have really done your homework, Mona. I worked for a builder who always used a specific lightening company when selecting lightening for his model homes. They didn't have much variety and everything was rather bland and looked the same. I was always amazed at how very little attention prospective home owners paid when selecting the right lightening for a room. It seemed that most people struggled to select something that fit the room, would become frustrated and ended up selecting a light that did not do the room justice. I am in love with images 5, 19, and 20.
One other thing I noticed was that most outside lightening was much too small for the size of the house and instead of illuminating the area around the entrances, the lights left a small glow around the door. :)
Thanks so much for sharing.
Mona you've shown some gorgeous examples! Would you believe when we moved into our home seventeen years ago the kitchen had only two small pot lights and that's it? It was a dark and deary little kitchen. Thankfully it's now brightly lite everywhere with no dead spaces. Love this post!
XX
Debra~
So many beautiful kitchens here and a lot of lighting inspiration - great post!
Love how many photos you include in your posts Mona! Such great inspiration, and it is fun to simply focus on the lighting on them--all great examples.
The third shot has me but I think oversized lighting in a kitchen is a must design statement adds real drama! xx
A subject near and dear to my heart and one that just worn me slick. I hope I haven't over done the lighting (I enjoy over scale pendants!) because I was adamant about not using pot lights. Just can't stand pot lights that turn a ceiling into swiss cheese. Of course, I may have turned my ceiling into a giant chess board. It gives me nightmares!
Hi, Mona -
We are so fortunate today with all our lighting options. You've shown many wonderful examples used in kitchens. I, too, love lanterns.....they look fantastic over islands, etc.
Cheers from DC,
Loi
There truly isn't one picture that I didn't just love! All great inspirations! I wish I could start all over in my own kitchen! Great research and advice and fabulous ideas!
Gorgeous examples Mona; you found some really fabulous lighting!
It is like a great work of art and can make a room stunning!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Wow, Mona, what a beautiful post full of inspiration!! Statement lighting is my latest obsession and can really make a room, as so many of your images show. Thanks for all of the great advice!
Mona,
I love the little sconces mounted between the windows.
These are all time favorite images and it's fun to focus on the lighting.
Karen
As owner of an interior design business also- I am forever looking for lighting- just that one that literally makes the room
come together- and that last one is my favorite as well !
Cool light- love the texture.
Diana
All great inspirations! I wish I could start all over in my own kitchen! Great research and advice and fabulous ideas!
Really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not that good.