need help......kitchen light fixture

16 years ago

I have been trying to find a light fixture that would look good in this kitchen but give off more light. I love the look of this one as our home was once a school. But as there is only one window in the room and such high ceilings, I NEED more light.

My DH would like to put a ceiling fan in to help circulate the air. I am really not sure I like that idea. I am thinking something with dark/black iron maybe? The appliances are black and stainless. We do have black cast iron accessories in the room as well. Ideally I would like something with at least 3 60-100 watt lights.

I have not had much luck searching, but really don't know what to search for? When I search for school lights I invariably get what I already have. In previous posts some of you have found some lovely fixtures, I am hoping you can help me out as well.

Marylu

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

bungalow_house
16 years ago
Marylu, your kitchen is amazing too! :)

Personally, I wouldn't change that fixture.

How big is the room? If you add some task lights to specific areas, would that be enough of a boost? And then this light could remain for the table and general lighting.

Have you browsed through rejuvenation.com? You could get some great ideas there.
Kathleen McGuire
16 years ago
Would it help to lower the fixture by adding more chain? It looks too high over the table. Bringing it down lower will help bring more light to that area.
Related Discussions
help with kitchen light fixture Idea!
Q
Comments (7)
Is that lattice on your ceiling? If that's staying, a fan would fit into this more rustic look. I don't care for fans, nor fans in kitchens, myself, but that's one of the options you listed. Your ceilings also don't look high enough for a fan, unless you can find a really flush fan. I'd have to see your chandelier. I lean towards a flush-ish, simple light fixture, since you have so much going on up there with the lattice. Like your appliances. Very sleek.
...See More
I need help lighting kitchen with recessed lights please.
Q
Comments (2)
Your contractor's layout is preferable, though moving the lights closer to the counter tops would be fine - between 24" - 30". If you use lights like the Cree CR4 or CR6, there will be sufficient spillover to augment the light from the pendants over the island in the center of the room. If the pendants provide insufficient light, they can be swapped out/ higher output led lamps may be used. Rationale The counter tops will be better lit with UCL than cans. Even if you do have the ability to put can lights over the counter tops, the distance to the counter top reduces the amount of incident light. There should be sufficient distance from the crown molding around the upper cabinets to the cans so that the trim can be fit and look properly spaced. A more regular pattern is preferable as it isn't like a random pattern of holes in cheese. Eyeball cans are more troublesome in the long run. The final location of the cans will be determined by the layout of the ceiling joists as well as obstructions above the ceiling board. There has been ample discussion on the DIY led recessed lighting guide for kitchens thread on this topic
...See More
Need Help With Kitchen Lighting Plan
Q
Comments (1)
Yes, recessed lighting can be more diffuse. Example - Cree LR6, CR6 lamps which have a more diffuse output than the usual BR30 or PAR lamps used in recessed can housings. I replaced a huge recessed fluorescent trough with Cree LR6 lamps (in recessed cans) in my kitchen and the area is better lit (colors look correct, more light) for less power. UCL is used more often though - mornings and later in the night. Then there are LED flush mounts that are a passable substitute for recessed lighting (eg - Glimpse, ...), which use normal electrical junction boxes (instead of can housings) and protrude below the ceiling. You could get an idea of what's available at your local Home Depot/ Lowes/ lighting store. What is being installed that requires 0-10V step dimming?
...See More
Need help coordinating kitchen island lights with kitchen nook lights.
Q
Comments (4)
@megs1030 The Kichler pendant in the picture is 15.75" Height x 10.50" Width. Island is 94"x 41" and ceiling height is 9 ft. Table is 48 in. This set will be replaced as well (the idea is to get something with a combination of white and brushed nickel or stainless still but same size). @acm Those look great. The island pendants and the nook light fixture are only 8 ft apart (from center to center). I'm wondering if switching from what I have now - mini pendants, 7" x 4" - to something much bigger as these Kichler ones (mentioned above) won't look too busy when combined with the nook. They look great but I don't mind finding something smaller if that is what it takes to bring the perfect balance.
...See More
aunttomichael
16 years ago
How about two or three schoolhouse lights?

Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery Barn Track Schoolhouse
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
bungalow, yes I did look at Rejuvenation and there were a couple but none quite fit. Especially as I really don't know what I am looking for? :-)

kmcg85, yes the light is high, however with the 12 foot ceilings it would be difficult to extend the light down much further. I did measure and it is 36" from ceiling to the globe.

aunttomichael, now that is an idea! I would never have thought to look at track lighting! All the other light fixtures in our home have down rods. The kitchen and laundry are the only 2 that have chains.
These 2 are the living room and dining room lights. Do you think the schoolhouse track lighting would look work?
kgwlisa
16 years ago
How about a pan chandelier (with longer drops maybe) from someplace like schoolhouse electric but with a simple milk glass shade (maybe hand painted), not art glass or anything fancy.

Something like these:

{{gwi:1544566}}

{{gwi:1544568}}

{{gwi:1544569}}

but with a simpler shade like this:

{{gwi:1544571}}
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
kgwlisa, I just checked out schoolhouse electric and some of the pan fixtures can be lengthened. So that is definitely an idea. One I had not thought of either. I didn't realize they were called "pan" fixtures. See what I mean about not knowing what to search for? Thanks so much.
Marylu
kec01
16 years ago
I can't see enough of your kitchen to know if this might work...but have you thought about wall sconces?
oceanna
16 years ago
Marylu, you're already getting great ideas. I just wanted to tell you your kitchen is adorable! So filled with charm. Please, can you post more pictures of it? I'd love to see your whole home, based on that pic you posted. What is the grinder thing on the side of your cabinet?

I'm with the others; the light you have is so perfect there I'd like to keep it there and add more lights to the room. Puck lights under the upper cabs can illuminate your counter. Wall sconces are utterly charmming. Have you looked on eBay for another fixture like the one you have that could be added?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
kec01. Yes we have put 2 sconces above the sink and one above the stove for task lighting. But for overall lighting this light just doesn't do it. As it is an older fixture the max size bulb we can put in it is a 60 watt. In fact right now we have one of the "twirly" cool florescent bulbs in and I hate it! The room itself is about 14.5 x 13.5 and with 12 foot ceilings that is a lot of space to light with a 60 watt bulb!

oceanna, yes I agree that I have gotten some excellent suggestions and I will be running them past DH. He has his mind set on a ceiling fan, but I just can't picture that working in this room. Uggg... I have posted pictures of my kitchen in the past but it has been a while (I think it was on the kitchen forum though). I really don't have any cabinets to put lights up under. All cupboards are freestanding cupboards. Our kitchen is really just a room with a large sink and furniture! :-) Will take some more recent photos and post later.

If you look in a recent post "Bedroom before and after" you will see our bedroom that I just finished redoing before Christmas. I think it might be on page 2 or 3 now.
Marylu
mom2lilenj
16 years ago
Mary_lu, if you are still looking for a light maybe a three arm oil lamp retrofitted with electric might do. It's what I'm looking to do for my new old kitchen.

This one is too expensive, but gives you an idea of what I mean.

I also have to say your kitchen is my inspiration kitchen! I saw youre pictures right when I was staring our 1885 farmhouse kitchen renovation and thought your kitchen was perfect! I saved that old post of yours, but the pictures disappeared. Could you please repost your pictures? Pretty please? LOL, it's hard going by memory.

Here is a link that might be useful: angle lamp
soshh
16 years ago
Might not be what you are after, but we just got this light for our master bedroom. RH sells it, but it's made by Minka Aire. We haven't installed it yet, but I love how it combines the schoolhouse shade w/the retro-looking fans.

(I got it b/c my husband wanted a fan in the BR, but visually I wanted something different.)

http://www.minka.com/image/images/12622F402-ORB.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1544558}}
cooperbailey
16 years ago
You said that the light only takes a 60 watt since it is old. It is very simple and inexpensive to get a fixture rewired to take higher wattage bulbs. If you are handy you dont need an electrician. Just a thought. Sue

need help......kitchen light fixture

Comments (12)

bungalow_house

Kathleen McGuire

Related Discussions

aunttomichael

mary_lu_gw
Original Author

kgwlisa

mary_lu_gw
Original Author

kec01

oceanna

mary_lu_gw
Original Author

mom2lilenj

soshh

cooperbailey

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

need help......kitchen light fixture

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

mary_lu_gwOriginal Author

mary_lu_gwOriginal Author

mary_lu_gwOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mary_lu_gw
Original Author

mary_lu_gw
Original Author

mary_lu_gw
Original Author