Rethinking my island pendant lights - help me choose.

15 years ago

I thought I had my pendant lights all picked out, but now I'm having second thoughts. Kitchen is creamy white glazed cabinets, soapstone, quartersawn oak with walnut border. Stainless appliances. Chrome bridge faucet with an apron sink (also soapstone.)

Obviously under construction, I hope you can get the gist of it:

The house is a victorian so I'm looking for something sort of vintage. Originally I'd picked the Parker Place pendant in stainless steel. I'm sorry if this is someone here's kitchen, I stole the pic. ;-)

Now I'm thinking maybe a schoolhouse light. This one comes in a pewter finish (to pick up the appliances) or bronze (to pick up the cabinets.) I'm leaning towards something in the silver family just because they look "lighter" and I'm afraid I'd tire of the bronze. I'd try to find one with a creamy white shade.

What do you think? Or do you think something else besides these would be even better? What finish would you choose?

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Comments (13)

Buehl
15 years ago
Personally, I prefer the pewter. In general, I think silver tones "go" better with black or gray (the soapstone) than gold tones. I also think that b/c of the glaze on your cabinets (that Lissa711 doesn't have) the silver tone will look better.

But then, I'm a "winter" so that might account for my preference! [OK, how many know what I mean about being a "winter"? :-)]

Anyway, as to the style, I think both would work.
debsan
15 years ago
I like the schoolhouse pendants, the bright stainless seems too contemporary for those cabs. (And I'm a "winter" too.)
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gldnfan
15 years ago
I think I am a spring ;-) greens and purples?! I never have to worry about matching my clothes lol

I like schoolhouse pendants and I think the pewter will harmonize better with the rest of the kitchen.

I had a tough time with this myself - we have a bendable track system because of our ceilings - not my favorite thing actually - and had a hard time because my other fixtures are all pewter tones. I finally did choose bronze because our cabinets are a darker cherry and I did not want a silver rack to contrast. Your situation is different since you want people to see and admire the pendant hardware but not have too much contrast.
megradek
15 years ago
I like the schoolhouse pendant in pewter as well. Your cabs turned out gorgeous!!

Ha! I'm a 'winter' too :o) did you guys see my dining room pics over on 'decorating'?? clearly a winter.
kpaquette
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, it sounds like schoolhouse pendant wins!! Definitely in pewter? Is brushed nickel ok? (one manufacturer I'm looking at only offers that.) Faucet is chrome but it's the only chrome thing in the room, so that shouldn't make a difference, right? Would the brush nickel coordinate well enough with the appliances? I'd think so, but I'm no finish expert.

EEEEE I'm getting so excited! I ordered all the appliances yesterday, should be in in 10 days! And my contractor just sent me a picture of the island in with the new floor!
chachashea
15 years ago
I don't really have an opinion on the color of the light fixture, other than to say don't worry about coordinating with the faucet.

I wanted to chime in that Rejuvenation has a number of schoolhouse lights and they offer 12 different finishes. Maybe something will match your vision?

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation
positano
15 years ago
I like the schoolhouse ,but with the oil rubbed bronze. I think it will look great with the soapstone.
kpaquette
Original Author
15 years ago
aaahhh!

Schoolhouse electric has antique black. I might be most comfortable with that, if it's not brushed nickel. And they're pretty reasonable, if I get a basic fixture! I do really like their bronze, though - I'll have to run it by hubby and see what he thinks. I think any of the three colors would look good - I wish it were more cut and dry.
positano
15 years ago
Yes, either the black or the bronze. I think the bronze might be a softer look.
danielle00
15 years ago
I just had my schoolhouseelectric lights installed. Both the fixtures and the shades are beautiful. The customer service is great too, but their shipping charges are really high.
worldmom
15 years ago
kpaquette - the fixtures in the photo you posted are the very ones that we've been planning on using in our kitchen. I like them a lot, although I have to confess that I've been looking at some more modern drum shade pendants lately, too. It's amazing how a light fixture choice can be such a difficult thing, isn't it? ;o) Good luck!
remodelfla
15 years ago
worldmom... I'd love to see some ideas with a drum shade pendant. I happen to love them and I will definitely need help with lighting. Sorry to hijack...
kpaquette
Original Author
15 years ago
worldmom, I KNOW it's so hard. Now DH is saying he thinks we need more "task" lighting over the island. I don't agree, though - there is plenty of light in the kitchen because we also have can lights going around the cabinets. Has anyone found this to be an issue?

He also says he thinks the white of the shades will be too white. Sigh. ;-)