I have a mix of antique and new lighting in the house. The first inspector had a cow when he saw the antique lights...he loved them, wanted to know where to get them and then when told they were restored antiques (rewired by a UL Certified electrician) he told me they'd not pass unless I had each fixture UL Certified (a few thousand per fixture). I had no qualms about hanging crap, really ugly $3 light fixtures all over the house, whatever was on killer clearance sales :) In the end, that inspector didn't do the final, and the guy who did didn't even glance at the lights since he started inthe library which has reproduction lighting. But you hang them at your own risk...they might ask and hold up your whole house, plus they'll expect to see new fixures to do a final. Easier to just swap out later in my mind :) Which is exactly what I did. I purchased a lot of my fixtures from ebay and restored them myself. But I did have the wiring done by a UL certified inspector. They noticed things I wouldn't have if I'd have done them (ie the condition of the ceramic portions of the fixture looked fine to me, turns out they were a shock hazard and had to be changed). But really...maybe it added 20 bucks to each fixture, which is cheap for reassurance that it's safe. Now on to the OP question...first I personally think it's not enough light at all, and would be concerned about resale. It's better to do this stuff now than to wait until the ceilings are back up. In any room you need multiple sources of lighting, and especially so in a kitchen. Task lighting is key as is ambient. I'd do more than one...and I have a 14" shade in my 6x9 bathroom...it looks great :) (DH says to hurry dinner is on...Gotta go!)

I don't like shiny brass unless it's on a musical instrument. My circa 1990's house has it EVERYWHERE. Imagine my husband's surprise when I bought a bunch of shiny brass knobs and cup pulls from my local hardware store. They had filled a huge bathtub with all their discontinued knobs. This thing was almost overflowing. But the price was 2 knobs/pulls for a buck. So I did it. I was searching for a looooong time. I didn't dare check the clock, but several people came by and offered to help, So, my plan was to get solid brass, remove the lacquer and age/darken them. I've found the instructions online. Admittedly, I don't know if all the pieces I bought are solid. So, it's one great big experiment, we'll see how it turns out. I told my husband, if the color doesn't quite turn out, I'll just spray paint them with ORB spray paint and save up for the really good stuff. carrie_eileen I'm so disappointed to hear about Restoration Hardware and their lack of hardware. The store near me closed a little over a year ago. When I got their re-vamped catalog, I assumed it was the furniture and decor style they were changing and nothing else. I didn't realize they were changing everything.

Weedy, definitely look into old catalogs that will help you understand the 'vernacular' of old lighting. (Some good ones at vintagelights.com.) There aren't that many variations, really -- you have the canopy (part that fits against the ceiling and hides the junction box), the various chains and fittings, the bulb socket, the lamp holder that holds the socket and the lamp fitters which have little screws into which the shade fits (often these are the same piece), and the shades themselves. A pan light ("hubcap") has a very large round or oval canopy to which the chains are attached, and is either against the ceiling for lower ceilings, or has another section of chain between it and the canopy. You can mix and match parts to your heart's content. It's really fun. Shades go by fairly standardized fitter sizes of 2.25", 3.25", 4", 6", etc. Take a gander at this 1923 Montgomery Ward light catalog -- it's got most of the usual suspects from your house style and era. A slip shade ("batwing") fixture is one where the shades slide down into metal fittings that are roughly triangular in shape. These are among the more fancy fixtures starting from about the 1920's. Good ones with intact shades tend to demand fairly high prices, as do reproductions. Slip shade sconces are pretty and hug the wall nicely, although they are definitely a more upscale style. A good source I use for the various adapters, new bulb holders, chain attachment pieces and the like is Grand Brass. Prowl their online catalog for photos of the various parts & pieces, it will be very helpful.

I think if you add some natural wood accessories it will really soften the look for the space. For example, a pretty wood cutting board leaning vertically on a counter against the backslash. A split wood or natural fiber shade at the window. Perhaps some baskets on the top of the upper cabinets. Place wooden utensils in a white ceramic pitcher next to the stove. Or even a wood block for knives. I agree with everyone that says you shouldn't be so hard on yourself! Add some personal touches to soften the appearance, cook a few meals, and then see how you feel!