Can you post a floorplan?

We're a week away from the drywall stage!

We're putting canned lights in the entry way, canned lights over the fireplace, canned lights on the opposite wall where we'll have a book nook, and in the back of the room for mood lighting (meaning when we turn all lamps off) we'll have canned lights.

I'm definitely getting a light fixture under the ceiling fan, even if I don't use the light.

Everything else will be lamps, which is what we'll use the most.

I will try to post the floor plan :)

http://www.globalhouseplans.com/plan_details.asp?id=370

Our layout sound almost like yours except the dining area is in the front of the house ( back of the kitchen) We put a ceiling fan with light in the living room, but never use the light. We use table lamps and have one halogen pole type lamp for reading.

We got a fan with a light because it came on the fan we wanted even tho we never use the light. At night while watching TV we usually just leave a light on over the peninsula as it lights the kitchen and the living room well enough.

There is an overhead light when you enter the front door also. It sounds like a lot of lights...it is, but the only one we never use is the one on the celing fan in the LR.

Your floor plan is almost identical to mine excecept my dining area is on the right and my FP is on the back wall. We put can lights around the perimeter of the room to have for ambient lighting, but will be using lamps for our everyday lighting, as we do now. We have 2 ceiling fans in our great room without light fixtures. I find fan light fixtures ineffective and don't give off pretty light. I like lots of lamps, table and floor. Don't forget about sconces somewhere in the room if you have the right place for them.

I personally would not go with a fan light. I think they've passed their heyday unless your climate really calls for one. I've found that for the living area table or floor lamps are really best for reading and overhead lighting always seems rather harsh. If you feel you need one for the front entry I'd choose one that is harmonious with the style of the dining room and kitchen if you can see those areas, but probably mounted to the ceiling. In our living room we have two lights near the fireplace which are mounted in the ceiling in addition to the table lamps and that's worked out well since they're unobtrusive and fit any decor. Hope this helps.

Ingrid