How tall are her ceilings?

A quick google images found this one that I kind of like. If you blow it up the hanging crystals show better.

At a glance, I'm against the idea. It doesn't fee like "enough".

We had a semi flush mount over our breakfast table. It worked as a short term solution for us. The previous owners had a patterned tile "rug" area on the floor that was off center from the ceiling light. To avoid it being even more obvious we lined the table up with the floor tile and went with the semi flush light. We're gutting the house now for a remodel and knew it was temporary. Here's a picture that isn't that great. It seemed a little odd at first but worked okay.

Ceiling height is about 8'.

These are pretty..

Mrs. Pete, I agree with you, and the pictures so far (no offense to anyone) seem to prove that point.

In many of todays new builds, there are nothing more than pot lights being used in DR's. IMO, it's personal taste and there isn't a 'standard' for any lighting in one's home.

We do have a chandelier in the dining room but don't have one over the breakfast table because the junction box isn't centered over the table. It's centered in the room but because of traffic patterns and furniture placement, it's not over the table. We have a flush mount that I'm not in love with, but it's very unobtrusive, and unless it's pointed out, no one notices that it's not centered over the table. Of course this is my kitchen table; I tend to think dining rooms need a bit more.

This is in a traditional 1920s center-entrance colonial home, with chair rail, built-in corner china cabinet, etc... I think only recessed lighting in this DR would feel out of place. On the other hand, too, it's not a very formal room -- so the crystal/bling doesn't feel right either. Thanks for the feedback and photos.

My last 3 houses just had ceiling fans with lights over the dining tables. My home growing up had 8' ceilings and a nice large square flush mount light. I googled images of flush mount dining room lights and got lots of pix - can't download them with this device.

What on earth is wrong with recessed lighting. I have a center hall colonial with chair rails and beadboard and have it all over the house. Dimmers are a must. But if the furniture is lovely and the walls are done properly the lighting can be adjusted as needed. To me, there's nothing worse than inadequate lighting or hanging lights from a low ceiling.

Our dining room/sunroom has a sloped roof. There are 4 mini track lights over it. Good light and adjustable. I don't have a single hanging fixture in my house. Unless the ceilings are over 10 feet, I don't care for them.

What about recessed/nothing?

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The only one I like is the first one, but that is a pretty bling-y flush mount and the point seems to be not obscuring the enormous painting.

Our DR has only recessed lights (PO). But it is a very casual cottagey room with stone floor and a sunroom feel.

Actually all of them work for me, even the ones with no chandelier; it allows the other features of the room to stand out more. With dimmers I think ceiling lights could be quite acceptable. Having an open mind about these things is a good thing. Dusting those chandeliers must be quite a job. I have a small one for my 8-foot ceiling, but some of the monsters I've seem must involve a lot of work. I notice wall sconces in three of the rooms and I imagine they add a lovely light.

Alright, I didn't say I hated recessed lighting so... I guess I should have been more specific. This isn't a project where they are going to do major electrical work and install new recessed lighting or any NEW lighting. They are replacing what is there, so the option is one fixture, centered over the dining table. So for more than one reason, recessed lighting is not an option here.

A nice hanging alabaster bowl would be very period appropriate for the house and those go with many different decor styles.

Do most of you prefer hanging light over the table if all you have is a great room? No DR or eat in kitchen. Or would that be a case one of the above?

I do prefer hanging light over the dining table. There is something very cozy about it. But I see how semi flush or flush or sconces or even big overhanging floor lamp can be beautiful too, in some cases. I don't like flush mounts or so I thought; but when I suddenly saw one that I really loved-I changed my opinion in a blink of an eye, and didn't rest until I found place for it:) So it depends. What I don't like-a huge amount of recessed lights..they're okay in kitchens or hallways or where they are really needed, but I saw several rather pretty houses that had just these recessed lights all over the ceilings, a lot of them, everywhere. And the ceilings were perfectly high too, so I truly could see no reason for them..it just brings unwanted attention to these lights, and you can't look away somehow.

We have a semi flush mount similar to some of those in maddielee's pics. It is very formal light that hangs down about 18 inches from the 10' ceiling with a lot of crystal hanging from it, but is not centered because the room is oddly shaped, with a large bay window. When you put a buffet in the room, it just throws everything off and you can never get the table centered under the light, so I had the chandelier removed several years ago.

I am considering a single, oversized lantern light similar to this.

Our dining room is informal. I chose a 3 light pendant on dimmer. Works for us.

I like the examples MizGG & Oaktown posted, even the rooms with no overhead light. Personally, while I love the way chandeliers look, I dont like the light they give off: too glaring unless it's dimmed way down & the bulbs are shaded. Sconces, small table lamps, small wallwashers in the ceiling, art lamps = all good alternatives to central overhead lights.

I did like a few of these and might need to consider this option. Thanks for bringing it all up as it had simply not occurred to me *not* to have one.

I have very low ceilings in an older house. Anything other than low profile ceiling lights and fans is just not an option. I used a four halogen lamp contemporary strip fixture over my dining room table and it works well.