Cold feet about my lights

13 years ago

I am nearing the end, close to the finish line. Just lights (put in temp lights for inspection for occupancy) & black splash and I am frozen. The light fixture for over the sink sits on my dining room table - I am so scared my kids are going to break it but obviously that is less scary than actually committing to it.

It is a very nice light - prism holophone - but I am not sure I am in love. But do I really need to be in love with everything in my kitchen? I am actually burnt out on looking for the "right" thing. I love the quirky kitchen, where everything looks so carefully & lovingly hunted out at some estate sale or granny's attic. My husband suggested we just keep the temp lights for now and wait until we find the right light - I shuttered at the thought. To have those lights "hanging over" my head literally and figuratively. Though I have enjoyed the renovation process, I think I may have hit my mental limit for decisions, so maybe you can help.

Is the semi-industrial look just the expected/au currant choice? My kitchen waffles between something starting from farmhouse/period (shaker, natural birch and painted, table style island, PN & ORB hardware) - leaning contemporary (pro style stove, stainless, chrome arch faucet, undermount sink). I think kitchens that touch different styles can be amazing, but it has to be done well *ack*. But the lights can the backsplash can send it in so many directions...

I love lighting, maybe more than I love tile (and wood and stone...) I wanted something beautiful and just ran out of steam. I don't think I have the energy to keep looking. Unfortunately this light is not cheap, and it informed the style of the pendants over the table (prism shades)

Large 12" prism light for over sink

Small pendants over the island (2 of them.) These things are only about 4" wide, but nice light. I think they are contemporary with a little traditional style with the shade and fixture style.

I thought the ORB for the large light would provide some interesting contrast against the window and define a basically glass light, I picked SN for the small island pendants so they would not stand out and just blend/accent. Should I stick to it? Should I get a great gittery PN for the one over the sink (my own little disco ball :) and maybe do something a little more traditional over the island to embrace the pseudo farm look? Are there other fixtures you think would be fabulous (note: I do not want large lights over the island)?

I should not be allowed on GW past 10 pm...

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of light and kitchen

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

breezygirl
13 years ago
I love too many different styles of lights to be much help (it is also past 10pm for me....bad Wendy). I strive to have my house look kind of "collected over time" like you, but somehow it ends up looking too forced and not relaxed.

Random thoughts:

*I agree with wanting the ORB for the window fixture for a nice contrast. A bit of black adds a sparkle of panache in every room.

*I can see why you were drawn to the window fixture, but the more I look at it the more I seem to have a problem with it. Maybe it's the shape of the bottom glass part.

*As much as you might not want to hear this, it might be time to take a break and wait on your last couple of decisions. I can see why you don't want to leave that temporary light over the sink, but you do seem to be suffering from kitchen fatigue. Forcing the decision now might make for one you regret in a couple of months.

Make sure you let us know what you decide!
breezygirl
13 years ago
I just pulled up some photos of your house from an older post. I don't think the window fixture feels perfect. Sorry I don't have time to look for one I'd like better for your space. I must....go....(yawn).. to... bed now.
Related Discussions
Almost ready to start and getting cold feet!
Q
Comments (19)
Is it "normal" to get a sinking feeling every time you think about building a home? Of course not. It's normal to feel nervous about the project's enormity, the expense, the logistics. But a sinking feeling means this is not what you want. You might like parts of the house, but that is probably not enough. The fact is, you will have to put a huge amount of effort, money, commitment into a project that will end up with you living where you don't want to live, in a house and "yard" too much for you to deal with. And at an age when your health and energy are not likely to be trending upward. You will continue to resent his not following up on his commitments. He's getting his dream and you're gonna pick up the loose ends. No WONDER you have a sinking feeling. Just for a moment, and just to yourself, think about whether or not you can back out now. And how you would do it. I think you may already be too deep into this to back out now--for whatever reasons you've agreed to it. What would happen to your relationship with DH if you called a halt to it right now? (I'm not suggesting you answer any of this here; just to yourself.) If you can't see a way out of this, then what would it take to make it go better for you? I think you could assert your right to not have to work to age 70. If he's willing to handle it by himself, it's his dream--let him work for it. Or, let that be a real good reason to scale down the house. Just say you're not willing to work past 62 or whatever. He can run the numbers to see how to scale back the house accordingly. That will get you 2 big things you want: a smaller, more easily managed house and an earlier retirement. While you're having that discussion also tell him that the project has to be scaled back because you're not willing to be annoyed all the time, and scared by living in the midst of undergrowth, and you will need a bigger monthly budget to hire things done. (What was his plan for while he's away for 3 months?) I don't think he's been realistic about that and you haven't confronted him about it. Does he know how much you resent picking up the pieces for him and waiting for him to get around to things? Or, focus on how he's too busy working to consistently get the maintenance done and should plan on letting YOU hire it done; so in his free time he can play country squire or whatever he dreams of. Did you just agree to all this because you can live in a really nice house? Because other than that I don't hear you wanting any part of this. Until you come clean with him about ALL of your reservations, he will have no motivation to start planning realistically so that YOU will also be happy living his dream. (Or as happy as you are capable of, given that you basically don't want this.) This isn't just a house; it's your entire life. Especially since you work at home. That sinking feeling you have is a warning signal. I really hope you'll tell him now, while he has some motivation to make concessions and provisions and to scale things back. If you don't tell him now, he will have zero motivation later. And all you will have is the sad consolation of being right about the fact that he would disappoint you--again.
...See More
dealing with worry - cold feet
Q
Comments (14)
I agree with Runninginplace about being sure about the trust for your contractor. My contractor earned his fees time and again through his competence and professionalism. Even with the couple of situations of me being the lunatic hausfrau who just wanted things my way, he found solutions. When yelling had a hope of fixing a problem, he was able to yell. When charm could help, he charmed. What he didn't do, ever, was dwell on unsolvable problems. When the factory started making some of the floor tile on the outside day it was supposed to be here, he worked on getting it shipped as fast as possible and talking to everyone he could professionally and reasonably--which I was way beyond too freaked out about to even think of doing. If you don't feel that insulated and cared for by your contractor, I strongly advise you not to sign before you are healed enough from your surgery to really feel well and sure of what you're doing. The signatures aren't the end point--they're the point where chaos gets a toehold to raining down on your head. You need to lessen the stress and start healing. Tell the bank that they need to give you an extension on their date with the same terms. They can. They can do anything they want. You just have to insist. If you're happy enough with your GC, put him on hold and tell him you're prepared to go forward--as soon as you're mostly healed. You say, This feeling of wanting to relax and let the GC handle everything is probably like wanting to sleep when you are freezing to death. That's because your GC's representative, the architect, is making mistakes and it's up to you to find them and get them fixed. How are you going to know that you're not going to have to be in the same position with the GC? Those lunatic hausfrau moments I mentioned? Those were where the guys were just doing things they way they do, but in a way that I totally didn't anticipate and didn't like. There were also times where things were just overlooked, poorly planned, or whatever, that I had to discuss with the GC. He always had a solution, but to get things just the way you want, you have to be on top of it and involved. That's with the very best. I really was able to relax knowing my GC and his foremen were on the job. It was more like being cradled in warmth than giving into the freeze. But how are you to assess that when you're days away from getting punched in the face, hard? Getting your nose broken and your eyes blackened? It'll be worth it when you breathe better, but you're going to need peace and rest to heal up, and the first couple of weeks aren't going to be fun. I wish you the very best of outcomes and a speedy recovery, but be aware that you're not going to even want to bend over in the beginning, and you won't be sleeping well until after the healing happens and the swelling goes away. When picking up a sock is stressful, why invite all of this worry over the remodel into your healing space? Just put it off for a few weeks and let yourself rest. It'll be worth it.
...See More
Cold feet on my soapstone counters, help!
Q
Comments (12)
It wasn't clear to me in your post whether or not this is a home you plan to be in for a long time. If it's not, that would make me advise rethinking doing all that soapstone. It's a big investment. I have soapstone countertops, farmhouse sink and ss topping my bi-level island...LOTS of soapstone...in my relatively small cottage kitchen. It's my favorite part of the house, and I love working on it. My kitchen has white cabs, adjacent double French doors and a bank of windows over the sink, so even though it's not huge, it's open and full of natural light. If your kitchen has a lot of light, then you can probably pull off the dark stone. But, now I am remembering how great eandhl's kitchen looks with the deep red cabinets and the soapstone. Take a peek at her pics. Good luck in your decision!
...See More
Retirement- Cold Feet!
Q
Comments (23)
Sistersunnie, I think that all the planning in the world can't actually spare you from the concerns you have. You can contribute to the world in many ways that were not possible when working full time and raising a family. Now your gifts to share are you time and talents. I think as women who "came of age" during the 70's we struggled more than most to prove our value in the workplace, and that having done that, there is a reluctance to let it go, to give it up. So many women I know were part of the movement to prove that women are capable of performing at the same level as men in the workplace. Maybe that is part of the reluctance you feel. You planned for this and are comfortable financially if you chose to retire, yet you feel guilty because your partner can't retire with you. No need to shoulder that guilt. You expressed a desire to do all of the things, including visiting grandchildren, that you never had time enough for when working. Now is the time! You are financially secure and have good health, why wait? I retired in June to join DH who retired two years ago. We both will do some contract work but absolutely do not want a weekly commitment of any sort. We are busy enough and are enjoying our time at this stage of life.
...See More
babushka_cat
13 years ago
i agree w/breezygirl. think taking a break will give you perspective and enthusiasm back. you will be glad you waited when you find the right one...
segbrown
13 years ago
I love the light, but that's just my perspective. Hang on to it for a while, think about something else, like others said, and you'll figure it out eventually.

Lighting is harrrrrrrrdddddd. IMO. I ended up loving all mine, but it was the most difficult selection. I guess it's easiest to just do all matching, except that's boring. But even if you pick everything from the same suite, it's still hard .. .pendants? detached? what size? what finish? where? how many? yikes, glad that's over ....
Gena Hooper
13 years ago
I'm with you on design burnout! It becomes so hard to see things clearly.

As for the prism light, I love it! I'm biased because I have the RH optic semi-flushmounts for my kitchen (a similar look). But it just matters if you love it. I agree with the others. Hang on to it. Put it away and just live for a little while, without putting pressure on yourself.
formerlyflorantha
13 years ago
The fixture you have chosen definitely has an industrial flavor to it, despite the black trim. Is this the feeling that you want in the room?
honeychurch
13 years ago
I like it, very unique (at least to me). Anything different is good! :-)
dianalo
13 years ago
I like it. I think the other lights could go bigger than they are now also. Once you have beefier lights, it will be perfect.
If you are not sure about the light at this point, step back and breathe.... You do not need to install it anytime soon as you have lighting to see for now. Maybe you will stumble over the perfect one when you are not in such of a rush. Or maybe, this is the one and you will be more sure next week or next month.
sparklekitty
Original Author
13 years ago
Ah, my kitchen friends - Thanks for the moral support. I woke up this morning saw your supportive messages and don't feel so crazy.

Breezygirl - It is amazing you noticed the bottom of the fixture - it is actually not there (you insert it once it is installed.)

I am going to take the advice of all to just step back and relax (and to stay out of the kitchen and off GW after 10 pm :) We hope to go away for the long weekend and then the kids go back to school and I think at that point everything will be much clearer. And thanks for the positive feedback on the light. I really do like it, a lot, and think it could be a good accent without overwhelming the space.

I think will will look around some more at lighting once I have my strength back, so if anyone sees something beautiful in your journey's please share.
breezygirl
13 years ago
Good for you Sparkle! After all, you have working lights now. A few weeks of mental rest will feel good. There's no hurry, right? Other than the holidays feel like they are right around the corner now! ;)

I agree that that light won't overwhelm the space. I like you fixture also, I'm just not sure if that't the flavor you were going for in the kitchen. I'm months away from choosing fixtures (don't have a finalized layout yet), but god help me when I get there.
sparklekitty
Original Author
13 years ago
Breezygirl - God or garden web help you. I laugh at your question about flavor - if I could just pick chocolate or tomato I imagine all would be easier. But I think I was striving more for a funky salad that puts together the unexpected and tastes amazing when the different favors combine to be something entirely different. Something an seasoned chef could put together (or experienced interior designer), but neither were in my budget or the way I like to work. Comfortable, slightly period leaning, a little funky, farmhouse with a dash of contemporary (ridiculous sounding I know.)

I have two inspirational photos - both are farmhouse style - beautiful wood, white, clean, different textures, black rustic hardware, hanging pots. Both in rambling VT homes - I love it. But I live in a modest turn of the century four-square. I didn't have 50K+ to do my kitchen renovation; I haven't inherit a set of gleaming cooper pans from my grandmamere; I don't throw my own pottery and I don't live anywhere near a farm (or any real open space for that matter.) I also adore beautiful, warm contemporary kitchens but my house just gave me a flat out NO!

So that light may work, or another, but the time off from the kitchen for sure. I am sorry for my rambling, I often think through things best when I am talking or writing, so thanks for "listening."
rococogurl
13 years ago
When you come back rested perhaps you can think about what I observe from your photos and see if that's possibly why, the lights are bugging you.

Can't quite follow what you want to change and what you want to keep. But what I see is long and small. You have an "important" island but not an important look to the lighting over it. Everything is slim, long and small.

Putting a more important light over the sink draws the eye away from the island.

My thought would be to make lighting over the island more of a statement -- larger for sure -- and then shorter and lesser over the sink (provided it's good light).

Cold feet about my lights

Comments (12)

breezygirl

breezygirl

Related Discussions

babushka_cat

segbrown

Gena Hooper

formerlyflorantha

honeychurch

dianalo

sparklekitty
Original Author

breezygirl

sparklekitty
Original Author

rococogurl

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Cold feet about my lights

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

sparklekittyOriginal Author

sparklekittyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sparklekitty
Original Author

sparklekitty
Original Author