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dinette lighting for 1950s Cape Cod

16 years ago

We're finishing up some work in the kitchen/dinette and living room of our 1953 Cape Cod home. The drywalling and painting have been done, we just need to add some molding and finishing touches. I'd like to replace the light fixture that currently hangs over the round table in the dinette where we eat most of our meals, but I'm not sure what style would work best. The light we're using now is the one that came with the house, it's sort of that faux-Tiffany style hanging light in peachy tones. I've tried looking online, but I'm finding either styles that are too modern (like the 1960s) or too old (like reproduction lights from the turn of the century). I don't want anything too retro, but I'd like to stay true to our style and the style of the house (the couch we just purchased from Crate and Barrel is what the furniture guy referred to as 'transitional', which I guess means not contemporary and not old fashioned?). You can check out the link below for a photo of the dinette/light, and also feel free to browse my other home-related Flickr photos to get a feel for what our house looks like. I'd love to hear suggestions and any ideas!

thanks,

Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: dinette photo

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Comments (3)

OKMoreh
16 years ago
Here is the dinette lamp from my 1951 house.

The architecture of my house is early MCM and this lamp doesn't really belong, but one of the owners would have preferred a traditional style, like a 1953 Cape Cod. I will be removing this lamp, because it is now hanging in the room that I will use as the dining room (previous owner used this room as a family room, with a dinette table at one side) and I need a larger lamp in a different position.
DavidR
16 years ago
Check garage sales and thrift stores for period-appropriate fixtures. You'd be amazed at what people discard. You'll probably want to rewire them.
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ilitem
16 years ago
There are several lighting manufacturers that do "transitional" fixtures. It takes time to go through the catalogs and see if something "fits" to your liking. I have always done the lighting based on furniture, not the house.

The reason for this is that you need to put your own stamp on the house. I for one have turned traditional homes on the outside into contemporary-transitional on the inside.

You may want to check out Hudson Valley Lighting for transitional lighting. Also you can check out Kichler Lighting, Meyda (known for tiffanies they have expanded their line), Quorom International. These are just a few but there are many of them out there.

My suggestion would be to check out a local lighting showroom to see what they have and look at their catalogs. If you feel they are too expensive, then try getting the fixture on line. You would be surprised what gems are in catalogs that you would normally pass over. This would also give you a feel for what is actually out there to purchase. The Home Depots don't have the depth that a lighting showroom will have.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hudson Valley Lighting

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