Ignore the mess.

I like them. If you try something smaller it might seem wimpy.

I think the inspiration kitchen has a longer run of cabinetry and a bigger overall space. The lights don't look bad at all, but I think you'd like them better if you removed one. I'd center one in front of each recessed cabinet on either side of the cooktop.

However-- it's impossible to tell without really being in the space, and everyone's tastes are different. They are very pretty lights in a nice new house so it can't be too bad :-)

Jlc - I think it would look better to drop down to two. Even though they are big lights, there's a lot of clear glass there. I don't think they visually look huge. I don't think it necessarily looks 'bad' with three, but I think two would be better if you can change it.

OT question about your new lights. I love them and have been considering the same ones, but the nagging concern I keep going back to is cleaning. Do you think it's possible to rig something up to run along the inside without having to take them down as often to clean?

They are beautiful. I understand you are not used to them. Live with them a while and see how you feel about them after some time. You have a gorgeous kitchen!

Do they come in a smaller size? I think they are too large, and 2 of them or 3 scaled down versions would work better.

'they look nice, but I also think two would be enough. That is the exact light I will be replacing in our new home over the landing in the staircase because cleaning it will be a pain imo.

Oh, I really don't like saying this, but I think those lights are better suited in foyers and such, not as island overhead lighting. I think for a kitchen island, you want downward lighting. I also do think they're just too big for that area. and is there a possible issue with dust and grease and bugs collecting in the jars of these lights? I feel bad, but I don't think they're a good idea for a kitchen, other than maybe over a dining table.

I’d stick with them, but definitely put the lights on a dimmer switch, which is so easy to do.

Thanks for everyone's insight. I think I may keep them. Tried smaller bulbs and the light it cast was so much better. Also going to raise them up a bit. I know lanterns over kitchen islands isn't everyone's taste, but I'm going to give it a bit of time to get used to. :)

Yea my first thought was to raise them up some.

Perfect idea, to raise them.

from the pictures, they seem to make you cabinets look small... maybe it looks different in person. the inspiration photos have full wall cabinets and it is a more balanced look, imo. I would look for something alittle smaller for your kitchen island.

Yes! The squareness has to be repeated! That is totally what is messing with my eye about these. I may put 2 in the foyer area and go back to the drawing board (if my husband doesnt kill me lol). I like these, but would I do 2 or 3?

I think they are great it would look so much better if you used a 1x6 on the top of your cabinets and attached the crown to it The lights are big and need taller cabinets as a back drop

West Elm Pendants

I agree with the shape being wrong, I do like the square ones better, but I still think those still would be too big for your kitchen. I think 3 mini pendants would look better in your kitchen. The bigger size lights look better in a large kitchen with cabinets that go to the ceiling.

I also think the glass in the cabinets in both of your pics gives some visual depth, which your kitchen does not have. I would use 2, not three.

As far as them not being the same shape as the cabinets, I was thinking it was complimentary because it was breaking up the squares.

Kalsc - Do you think it's possible to rig something up to run along the inside without having to take them down as often to clean?

The square ones are gorgeous. I always prefer two larger lights t over a large island, unless the island is really long, then sometimes three is a must. This has always been a fave kitchen of mine.

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I like the idea of the square lights. With the colour of your island and the piece of furniture under your windows you could do an oil-rubbed bronze. It is okay to mix metals which I think you could easily do in your kitchen.

"Technically" and "supposedly" doing things in 3's, or odd numbers is more pleasing to the eye, however in your case with the 3 windows and if you followed the shape of them and did two lights over the island you have an arrangement of 5, an odd number. And with them being in the same field of vision you could do it. That's my 2c.

From the look of your kitchen and if the rest of the house is similar I suspect those current lights can be repurposed elsewhere.

This is a horrible mock up and color is way off. I just thought I would give it a shot so you can see two square lanterns over your island.

Beautiful kitchens, all, but I think the one AKTillery loves photographs much better secondary to the beautiful area lit by a beautiful door-window with a palladian window. Kitchen photography is much prettier with adequate light flooding in the windows and doors.

ugh! It deleted my full response!

2. I like these and the area above the island is wired/spaced for 3 pendants: thoughts?

http://www.westelm.com/products/industrial-pendant-glass-w682/?cm_src=E%3AAutoRel&catalogId=57&lineid=1

Maybe an oil rubbed bronze fixture with a glass shade would work too - interested in keeping my light/dark balanced so keep the opinions coming!

3. Will repurpose these lights to foyer/bedroom...yes, my husband is ready to kill me lol.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment, critique, sketch, etc, it's so very appreciated!

Those are great! Also, check out dotandbo.com. I've purchased some pendants from them and I have had only good experiences. They have some really unique pendants and have good prices on most of their lighting as well. It's fun to think outside of the box sometimes.

I like the West Elm pendants. Hope you find something you love, and glad you can use the lanterns elsewhere! I totally empathize with the aggravated husband :-) It's so hard to make these decisions until you can actually see things in real life.

You said it jlc! That is how I feel about the whole decision process. My husband is going to have to deal with my needing to change out a lot of things once I see them in person in our new construction.

Kals, those are the pendants in the pic I posted above with the West Elm link!

I think you made a good choice, sometimes what we love just doesnt work in our environment so we compromise.

those will look much better, imo!! (and will be much easier to maintain!! better to put the open bowl lantern in a place where they won't be such a focal point on a daily basis!)

I think you'll be happier with downlighting over your island as well. Notice the West Elm page for those shows them with different style light bulbs. That's a cool idea too. Maybe different colored bulbs too!

I'd get two to start and see how it looks. If you then think you need three, order the third. If you don't go with a third, you can just put a plate over the center hole, or even patch it. Very easy fixes.

I agree with Tibbrix.

Btw, I do think three of the West Elm pendants will work, though, because they're streamlined and simple. I think it's the bulkiness of the three lanterns that is one of the problems with them over your island.

Thanks guys--our island is 10.5 feet by 5.5feet, so I am thinking even 3 of the west elm pendants that are 10. 5" in diameter may be too small scale wise?

The other option I am thinking are these pottery barn pendants that are 14.5" in diameter. They may be more substantial? Thoughts? http://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/rustic-glass-large-pendant/

yes, I think 3 of those would be a better size... our island is a couple of inches short of 11ft and we have 2 ~25" wide chandys over it and the size is appropriate--- I think 3 14.5"pendants will look more proportionate.

I also prefer the shape more than the west elm pendants and think the dark bronze color will look nicer over your dark island compared to the chrome/silver tone.

I think the opposite as busybee! I think the smaller pendants won't be so heavy looking and more appropriate and I don't care for the bell shape of the PB lights. Why do I feel like the bell shape is passé?

The pottery barn ones are very similar to the shape of the ones you currently have, except upside down. No.

How large are the current fixtures?

I suggest getting balloons and blow them up to the diameter of the fixture under consideration and hanging them off the current fixtures to get a sense of size. Or you can do the same thing by crumpling up newspaper and stuffing plastic grocery bags to the right size. This is all about scale so a mock up of some sort would be most helpful for you.

While I like the style of the current fixtures, I could never go with that for cleaning purposes...they are dust collectors. The bell shape would be more practical.

I notice an odd optical illusion though in your pic....because the height of the cabs behind the fixtures isn't even, it makes the fixtures look like they are hung at different heights....

I agree with Annie about the optical illusion. Glass shades that arent clear would look better, wont seem as busy looking if you cant see through them.

I wanted to post my updated fixtures from West Elm that I am completely in love with! Thanks for everyone's comments on this thread!

They look very nice!

oh, they are PERFECT! Congrats!

So much better.

Those look so good! Yay! Glad you love them, and it was totally worth all the hassle.

Yes, you nailed it w/ those West Elm fixtures. Looks great!

Gorgeous! They are perfect! I bet you are thrilled.

yes! Thrilled- thank you all! Now looking for barstool ideas :) gray? White? Can't be fabric because of kids and spills. Island is gray, floors are espresso- thanks for any suggestions :)