Calling All Lighting Experts!

15 years ago

We are trying to plan where our electrician will need to install lighting over our island and need help with placement. We purchased two light fixtures from William Sonoma Home (see link below --- hope it works!) and plan to have these over our 9 foot island. We also plan to install recessed lighting over the island.

The pendants measure 17" x 5" x 51" high. We were thinking of the two pendants starting about one foot from each end of the island with a recessed light in the center for extra task lighting. Does the spacing seem right? Is the recessed light overkill? I can't stand not being able to see what I'm doing!!!

Thanks for any feedback.

Here is a link that might be useful: William Sonoma Pendant

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

homemasons
15 years ago
jbraz,

I am only a lighting expert by some substantial experience as a designer / remodeling contractor. We do our own kitchen lighting designs, and I agree with you, adequate kitchen lighting is important.

I would say that (4) 60-watt lamps would well suffice if properly placed over your island. For the most even light distribution, place them 1/4 the length of the island, from each end (spacing @ 9' island, 2'-3", 4'-6", 2'-3").

There is a more scientific means to analyze lighting placement, involving photometric calculations, although you would have to get the photometrics from the lighting supplier, if they have them, and determine desired foot-candles on the surface, and make your calculations.
Otherwise, it's a seat-of-the-pants and experience swag, which is what I'm applying here.

The length of this pendant is substantial! If you have a 8' or 9' ceiling, can they be shortened? Otherwise, the lights will hang too low, in my opinion. Lamp height is a matter of personal preference, but I prefer to see them roughly at head-height.

Good Luck!

Mason

Here is a link that might be useful: Ask Mason
0
jbrazmania
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Mason! Yes, the pendant extension comes in two pieces. We have 8' ceilings and were planning to only use 1/2 of the extension pole. That would put the bottom of the light (glass globes) at 30" down from the ceiling. Does that sound about right? The island will be standard counter height.
0
Related Discussions
Calling all apple root stock experts
Q
Comments (18)
Dwarf -> M26 or M9 Semi -> M7 or B118 That's what I was told when I talked to Stark earlier this year when I questioned what RS is under their trees. I'm claiming zero authority so take it for what it's worth. It would be a sad day if stark can't even give the correct range of rootstock. I would suspect they aren't that inept, though. I hope, anyway. ps. glad to see the stooling bed has succeeded! I'm trying that myself testing a few different things. Hoping to have the same results as you!
...See More
Newbie question; calling ALL experts!
Q
Comments (12)
i am in MI .. they can be planted ... you did not answer where you are .... regardless of how rare you think these are.. they are near impossible to kill IF properly handled ... it doesnt matter whether you plant them or pot them.. they are fully hardy in z5 ... and the ground freeze or frost line.. nor anything will bother them.. IF properly planted ... potting requires a proper media... something quick would be a cactus mix ... wet it properly.... then pot the up.. and put them on the north side of the house ... DO NOT USE NATIVE DIRT no sun on those pots for all winter .... once the ground freezes.. tip them on the side.. so water doenst accumulate ... wont matter if they are covered with snow .. your only concern would be vermin.. like mice nibbling on them ... who sent them in the wrong season??? .. michigan bulb???? to explain how hardy they are.. i got 6 foot sticks ... bare!!! [no branches] .. in a one gal pot.. in a plastic bag from BIGLOT one spring .... and 10 years later they are 30 feet tall ... if a 6 foot tree can live in a one gal pot.. and live... yours should be near bullet proof.. unless you try to love them to death.. i would also call the seller.. and ask them to make a note that it is a bit late for shipping .. and if they do not bud out in spring.. you will be calling on the warranty .... in MI they are a late budding tree .... so dont get wound up until may or so ... GOOD LUCK!!!!! ken
...See More
Calling All Paint Experts!
Q
Comments (6)
I would have to see a pic of your streaking, I have had a "help streaking paint in bathroom" call before. and when I got there it was nothing more than contaminants had hit the wall and ran down. (soap/shampoo) this may or maynot be the case here to find out just use a wet rag and wash the area even if it has one coat of new paint, you will find that you can wash that paint right off. I also agree with everyone about buying real paint, you wont find it at lowes or home depot have you ever seen a respectable paint contractor standing in line at any of these places for paint. I have not, and doubt i ever will. now why would somone pay more to buy something IF they could get a better product for less? they wouldnt, contractors have to guarrantee thier products, and every one of the products from before mentioned places will consistantly Cost the contactor more in the end, great save 9 dollars a gallon on paint, dang it Now we have to do another coat to make it look good. Savings??? not even close. before painting over any paint with a sheen, it should be lightly sanded, to tell the truth, in my opinion you should sand between every coat no matter the sheen. but my clients want smooth walls. if walls were sanded you would have found the contaminants (dust would have stuck to them making them visable before paint) please give more description of the streaking.
...See More
Calling all color experts - I need help!
Q
Comments (8)
Have you tried painting some poster boards to place around the room so you can view them for a couple of days in different lighting situations? You will make yourself crazy trying to pick a paint by just painting one wall with the color. You won't get a true feel of the color around the room. I speak from experience of many years ago when I purchased 6 gallons of custom colors trying to find the right taupe to go in that corner I kept painting the sample in. Boy, can I laugh at myself now for that. DH still doesn't know how much that paint job really cost. As for the colors you have up, I like the lighter of the two. It's difficult to make a true assessment however, because we aren't seeing the other furnishings and accessories. BTW, I'm no expert.
...See More
twobengalsandme
15 years ago
I'm not a lighting expert, but if you have 8' ceilings and the bottom of the light is 30" down, that will put it at 5'6" from the floor. Even moderate height people will have their sight lines blocked by the pendants. I also have 8' ceilings and am trying to keep everything no lower than 6'6" from the floor in order to keep sight lines clear. Just my $.02
0
jbrazmania
Original Author
15 years ago
After a sleepless night last night worrying that the lights we just purchased won't work, my husband assures me that the light can be cut down a bit so that they will hang at the right height. Keep your fingers crossed!
0
gglks
15 years ago
i am not even close to a lighting expert but recall a previous thread that said pendants over an island should be either 6 ft. up from the floor or 2 ft. down from the ceiling........i am using that as my guideline as it seems to make sense. good luck!!
0

Calling All Lighting Experts!

Comments (5)

homemasons

jbrazmania
Original Author

Related Discussions

twobengalsandme

jbrazmania
Original Author

gglks

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Calling All Lighting Experts!

Comments (5)

homemasons

jbrazmaniaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

twobengalsandme

jbrazmaniaOriginal Author

gglks

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jbrazmania
Original Author

jbrazmania
Original Author