Here's my great room layout. Roughly 30x40.

A few comments...

In our CT house we have two rooms with very high ceilings. In one case it was a custom fixture that was on a rod. I knew that unless the rod was always perfect, it would drive me crazy. I had it made into a chain. The mfr sent me extra chain so I I could decide on the precise height that worked.

In the other case, it was a repurposed antique dutch street lantern, and so we had to splice a longer wire and find our own chain.

Most fixtures will have a little extra chain, but you may need a lot. Your electrician may be able to recommend a source for extra chain or a local lighting store.

Also, if you pick heavy fixtures, you may need to block for them in the ceiling to hold the extra weight. We had to do that with some old ship lanterns we used.

Your inspiration room is lovely. Your choices remind me of the style i have in CT. I think you need to make sure you use a large scale piece somewhere.

A few of my favorite sources I used in my CT house: Urban Electric, Charles Edwards, Skinflint UK (love the french textile factory lights they have now), Deco et Cie. R.T. Facts, Il Fanale, For our new project we are looking at Low Country Originals.

Good luck!

6 pendants hanging in one room???? Tricky.

I wouldn't discount the idea of the countertop lamps, with concealed cords, on the island like Ina's, if there was a way to also have supplemental illumination from the ceiling. The look and the light they give at night is really charming.

Also for a space this large I'd consider larger scale pendants for over the island to make a bigger statement. Here are some images that might illustrate the concept.

Thanks, mtn. I've been thinking I'll definitely need to stick to a cord with or without chain link as opposed to a rod due to the long length required. Good thought on the extra reinforcement at the ceiling, and I appreciate the links.

I found a used, rather large 14-light chandelier for my LR that I plan to whitewash. I think (hope) it'll provide the larger scale "something" the room calls for as you walk in the front door.

beverly, yes - tricky indeed! I absolutely love the inverted basket look you posted and in fact have a few of these already bookmarked. I understand some people simply find baskets they like and repurpose them into lights. This may work well in my case since such a long cord is needed, so I'll keep my eyes peeled. You confirmed that this might be the best direction for me. My only hesitation is ... will it provide enough light?

The countertop lamps are one of the details I loved most about this island kitchen, and I plan to find a good solution with my electrician to hide cords so I can replicate the look. Did you know the 4th photo you posted is also Ina's kitchen, re-created in downtown NYC as House Beautiful's kitchen of the year a few years back? I'm sure you did.

This post was edited by jujubean71 on Thu, Oct 17, 13 at 12:12

This is similar to the chandelier I found for the LR, although mine will be whitewashed.

And I'm thinking of something rectangular to hang over the long, distressed DR table that I still need to find. Since my island will be 16' long, I'll need a table that expands to at least 10' if not more. So a longer, boxier light fixture seems appropriate and balanced to me, but what do you all think?

A beachy version of a billiard or island style chandelier is what I've been searching for.

Please, please share your thoughts.

If anyone has suggestions on where I might find barrel style baskets such as the ones beverly posted above, I'm all ears.

I really like the rectangle one you just posted 2 above this.
beachy billiard:)

do you mean like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: basket light

these are kind of nice, too

[Eclectic Home Office[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-home-office-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_732~s_2104) by Atlanta Photographers Erica George Dines Photography

[Rustic Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2111) by Mill Valley Interior Designers & Decorators Jute Interior Design

Thanks, ladies. I've learned that this basket shape is called beehive, specifically a skep. I'll keep searching for the perfect one.

What about the 16-jar chandelier from PB? Too trivial/predictable?

nosoccer, gotta love those jars -- always so fun -- but "mason jar rustic" doesn't tie into the look I'm trying to achieve. I will have beachy whitewashed and distressed furniture, yet I'm going to play up polished chrome as much as possible vs. aged zinc and similar metals.

I think I found the right pendants for the island, AND (bonus!) they already have a 16' cord. I wish they were a tad larger than 20"x19" but they're the perfect color, so I think I'll go for it.

Nice. I especially like the knot detail at the top. How many will you use?

I think I'll order four and decide between using three and four. I'd prefer using an odd number, but five will be too many and three may be too few for lighting purposes.

These are from RH baby&child and are on sale. I can't believe it.

I here you on odd numbers, but your plan shows four and that looks just right vis a vis the functions there ... I agree order more in case they are gone later....

The four pendants I ordered from RH baby & child pictured above are backordered until April. So disappointing. We don't plan to move in until late May so they could still work, but I fear the delivery date might keep getting pushed back.

Please let me know if you happen to come across similar basket pendants over the next few months.