Post a pic or two so we get a sense of your space and style

I know you love your existing HF fixture. Have you looked at this one? I had considered for my dining room.

I did see it at Rockingham Elec last week. Can't remember if in person, or in their book. And I do like it.

But, and you are the perfect person to ask, I think I am somewhat bound to having 2 lights instead of one multiple. My new island will be longer (I think..) than your "old" kitchen's, but Anita has cornered my range (as yours was) and angled the island accordingly. The off-centering of a single, long fixture might I think throw off the room because it will be at odds from the focal point (the range) if I hang it so it provides adequate lighting for the length of the island.

LOL, I don't think the above will make sense to anyone who doesn't know that plan. But tell me if you think I'm wrong in my concerns about a single multiple fixture.

Update: DH & I set up our cardboard mock-up of the new island. Because of the competing angles in the new layout, we concluded that instead of 2, we should have 3 pendants centered over the length of the island. Having 3 instead of 2 emphasizes that they have been deliberately centered on the island. With only 2 it looks almost random because one works out to be almost centered on the window.

So now I'm searching for 3 pendant lights, so may be scaling down the size of each to closer to 8" than 12".

This post was edited by amck on Sat, May 10, 14 at 18:38

Can you post the kitchen? How about some fixtures that have caught your eye so we can get a sense of the style you are after.

I looked through Hudson Valley Lighting, one of my faves, and they all seem to be what you don't like. And I agree with your list--lighting styles today just seem ridiculous, and everyone does the same three styles and I'm tired of seeing them! I was thinking what snookums said--a few pics of what might be acceptable would give us a place to start.

snookums2 & may_flowers, I will search for & try to post others. may_flowers, thank you for your comment about how limited the choices are. I was thinking it was just me.

The one above from nhbaskets is a good example of what I like. Hubbardton Forge can be pricey but their metalwork is well-crafted and feels substantial compared to a lot of $$$ ones I've seen lately that are tinny & flimsy with finish details I would expect from the big box knockoffs. When I bought my current light from them 10 yrs ago they were offering more of this type. Their new catalog features pendants that steer more modern. They have some very cool looking ones with very thick blown clear glass I saw in person. Great for a contemporary space, bot not mine.

I like the clean lines and shape of the shades. Prefer white/opal or clear glass to amber.

Hi amck - I'm kind of bleary eyed & trying to stay awake. 1st grandchild & I'm doing the night shift feedings so DD can get some much needed sleep. I'm looking at pics on Houzz & will post any I think are at all possible. Don't feel you need to comment on any of them.

OT - congrats on your grandbaby! Great you can share this special time and help DD, and still not miss a beat on GW!

Remains Lighting Marta Pendant

Crisp Architecture

Not sure what this source is.

School House, which I'm sure you've looked at.

One of my favorite kitchens

Love Marthastoo's pendants, Hudson Valley.

Hudson Valley?

Here's one by Quoizel that's 8" wide x 9.5" tall. It's only available in bronze. It takes standard light bulbs up to 100W. It's not plain but it's also not a show-off. I think the shade is glass but it doesn't say, and it didn't say in the other lights in the collection. Lightingdirect has great customer service, so you could check.

Here is a link that might be useful: lighting

This post was edited by may_flowers on Sun, May 11, 14 at 10:06

I am also going bleary eyed from looking at pendants. Here is one I ran across this morning. It is on my list of ones I am considering. I thought there is a chance it might fit your description.

It is Hudson Valley. I found it on lightingdirect but it won't let me post a link because I am looking at it on the mobile website version. Here is the mobile link http://m.lightingdirect.com/products/s402394

Not sure if this is what you're thinking, but we got three of these for our island, and I really like them in person. We don't have them installed yet, so I can't give you a picture of them in action!

Here is a link that might be useful: Feiss Bronze Seeded Glass Pendant

May Flowers: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Amck's post could have been written by me; we have the same "criteria" which definitely limits options. I have been looking on and off for a year to replace my 80s horrors in our remodel. Nothing I have liked has worked for my needs (5-6 light chandelier, mini pendants, foyer light in split-level stairwell plus something that goes with antique brass). If I liked a pendant...no matching chandelier; if I liked a chandelier...no matching pendant; finding complimentary metal...nightmare.

The Quoizel pendant you posted caught my "eye" and the matching pieces work. Now, I just have to find out what the shades are made of.

Amck: Thank you for posting your request. Hope you find what you are looking for!

We have similar criteria in what we do not want. These are some that intrigued me from Hudsen Valley...unfortunately for me, no matching pieces that worked for my needs.

http://hudsonvalleylighting.com/ProductDetails.aspx?item=1031-OB

http://hudsonvalleylighting.com/ProductDetails.aspx?item=4222-OB

I really wanted matching pieces to this one:...none listed: http://hudsonvalleylighting.com/ProductDetails.aspx?item=6521-AN

ranton, I am so pleased to know this post helped you find your lights!

I think I may have found a winner, too. I was checking out BakerJen's on the Feiss site and under "also recommended" I saw Murray Feiss P1235RI which have the shiny opal glass instead of the clear beaded. They have the schoolhouse feel, which I love, and a little metal interest at the base which isn't fussy but, I think, sets them apart from many like them. Also like the shape of the shade which would lend some softness to the angles in the kitchen and play well with the cupped shades in my DR lamps.

I'm in bad light ( outdoors) for viewing the finish,but I think these could work.

I like those Murray Feiss too! I like simple, but I also like a little something extra in the styling. Those qualify!

You're welcome, Ranton. I think Quiozel has a pretty good reputation too. I looked at Restoration Hardware, and now I know where people shop for their lighting. I saw all three of the styles that I noticed everyone uses!

may_flowers, happy to know you think they'll work, too. The price is so low compared to others I've considered that it gave me pause. But I have no problem spending less if I'm not comprising on style or quality ;)

DH wanted to order them today - I said no Mother's Day gifts/ Anniversary gifts, etc this year - the remodel covers all those.... But I want to sleep on it and revisit them tomorrow.

Amck, I'm so glad that you found something you like! I think those are lovely, too, and it sounds like they will work really well in your space. I believe a friend of mine got that same model with the clear glass--sadly, her kitchen is also still a work-in-progress, so I don't have any reports from seeing them in person. Good luck!

I think the Murray Feiss P1235RI is lovely too.

Thank you for posting that shot of them, romy718. I really like them in that kitchen!

I have three of these pendants over my kitchen island in our new build with white cabinets. I love them. They do not look cheap. The globe is white though not creamy looking as in the photo above.

Thanks, outdoorgirl16, for the first-hand report. It's hard to gauge quality online. I'm happy to know the shades are white.