I like the looks of the hanging lights but prefer a light I can aim where I want it. So, I'm no help! I have two brass-ish wall lamps that I can angle and like them a lot . Love your bedroom picks!

The hanging lights are cool, but that means you can never move anything. Same with the wall lights, which I don't really like because how do you get them in the exact right spot on the wall? They look too low in that photo. I'd prefer some awesome lamps, with a pop of color, that you can change out when (and if) you ever get sick of them.

I love those hanging lights, partly for the streamlined look, but also because gold lined black shades are so pretty and warm looking.

Your bed placement is likely to be unchanging, I wonder if you can find hanging lights that can raise or lower.

"bed will sit in front of a wall of glass"

Is that new? Wall of glass is not shown on your plans?

Lights like those Arne Jacobsens used to be in every motel room. Very retro. I like them because you can aim them. I also like it when people are so certain about their room they install lights specifically for one single task.

You have excellent taste! I like both options but would probably opt for the AJs myself.

I love the idea! I have lamps on either side of our bed. It is not like I can aim them anywhere and do not need to. I say go for it. I have hanging lights in our guest bath on either side of the vanity and I love them!

gw · More Info

Thanks everyone! I'm still torn on what to do! Chispa, here's the plan with the windows drawn in green. Maybe I mispoke...the bed will be next to a glass slider.

I love all the ideas, especially the sconces that can be aimed.

I myself will have sconces And table lamps in the master. Initially wanted to have sconces like in your inspiration pics, but my husband didn't like it was too industrial or too public library or something. So I went with immovable vintage sconces, and we'll have the lamps on the nightstands too.

We also put pendants in the master bathroom (like aktillery). Will see how it all works out..

@aktillery Are the lamps hanging over the nightstands? I love your bathroom!

@aprilneverends Thanks! Your bedroom sounds like it will look fabulous! Still thinking on what to do...

Oh dear, I have been having this argument with myself for at least 18 months.

Love the AJs personally but my dh is not a fan. They cannot be dimmed.

Rocky, no I said I had a lamp on either side of our bed. My point being I do not have an option for directing the light. I personally do not need directional lighting. I think most ppl use lamps and I think hanging pendants are the same idea as a lamps. Gosh, hope I am making sense.

Personally, I prefer the hanging lights ... very cool!

I really like the Tom Dixon hanging lights. Look at it this way. Most table lamps aren't moved and aren't dimmable. With the hanging lights, you'd get to install a dimmer switch on each side and have a really unique, functional bedside light with some personality. Placement is key, IMHO. I think they would need to be about between the night stand and the bed. Maybe slightly toward the edge of the bed?

I like the way the hanging lamps look but that a very permanent placement. I really like the lamps shown in the picture with the fox painting.

My eyes were drawn immediately to the Tom Dixon lights .... very dramatic!

Personally I prefer wall lamps. I like the Jacobsen but I think I would want something with an arm.

(We have earthquakes so those pendant installations might not even pass code here.)

Thank you!!! I am still not sure...leaning towards the hanging lights...putting a dimmer on them is a great idea, outside playing! One question I have is with 8 ft. ceilings, will they still look dramatic, or will they look silly? My contractor said he is getting more and more requests for these. He specializes in mcm homes.

BTW- we submitted the plans last week to the city! We passed zoning, but the plans have to go to review (which is standard).

aktillery-you are making perfect sense! Thank you!!!

Pal- very good vital points! Thanks!!!

I'm worried the hanging lights will look a little too glam. The AJs seem more in keeping with your furniture. But you could glam it up elsewhere too!

Also ...yes to the switches on both sides of the bed.

Thanks Robo! I won't lie - I like a little glam. Now I am getting cold feet and leaning towards just buying some that attach to the wall. It would be nice to free up space on the night stands

rockybird, we have 8 feet ceilings in the master bathroom where the pendants are installed..it still looks pretty glam. Ours are very different in style, but it shouldn't matter.

Oaktown, our GC didn't tell us anything about the code forbidding pendants (we're also in earthquake country)..which doesn't guarantee anything lol, but still

Why chandeliers are permitted then? Or maybe you meant-just the pendants that go on the sides of the bed?

(Justina Blakeney has pendants in her master. They've remodeled recently and I am sure it was permitted and all. )

Sorry..starting getting cold feet too..))

Rocky will you be able to attach lights as wall mounted if you are against glass? Have you considered these Nelson bubble lamps they are kinda a mix of both hanging and wall mount?

[Nelson bubble lamps [(https://www.houzz.com/products/nelson-bubble-lamp-cigar-sconce-prvw-vr~3523220)

Rocky this is all your fault! LOL I was innocently looking at mid century modern bed lighting and I saw this bed. You know I lost everything in the flood and I have to replace things... But I don't even want to know the price of it. Does anyone know who makes this bed and where to see it on line? The page it was on led no where. Just kidding Rocky!

aprilneverends, the possibility of pendants next to a wall came up in a discussion with our GC and he said something about they should be able to swing freely a certain distance without hitting anything in an earthquake. I don't know whether it is a code compliance issue or the GC just being cautious but having seen dining room fixtures swinging around after quakes I decided I really didn't want to take a chance of a light smashing against a wall. I won't hang anything on the wall over the bed, either.

I have clip on lights on our headboard. Each is on a flexible shaft so they can be angled. They go into a receptacle which is wired to the wall switch at the entry to the bedroom. I love cans, dislike most pendants as they read clutter to me. I do not like most lamps. I like clean and uncluttered, your beautiful house, for example.

@Raven- The bed is against a wall, so attaching lights shouldn't be a big deal. I like that bed! Very nice and I do love the walnut! Those Nelson lamps are great! I will put them on the list with the AJ's!

@april -do you have any pics? I will have to ask the Ctr. How long I have to decide. We only just submitted for permits...passed zoning and now waiting on the review.

@westside -thanks! I will definitely keep that in mind. I agree with you-I hate clutter. I definitely need some sort of lamps, whether on the nightstand or not. This is my current nightstand with my Greta Grossman cobra lamp:

Why not the Greta Grossman Cobra wall sconces?

How very exciting to be almost ready to build. I love your style and think no matter your final choice, you will have lovely lighting. If I were someone who never moved my furniture or bed, I'd love to have the hanging lights.

I don't have pics yet, no..the guys are still working on everything to get it ready.

PS following this earthquake conversation-went to the house today and looked at the lights with a new interest lol...the pendants will definitely crush into the mirror..maybe not if it's 5, but they will for sure if it will be 6. On the other hand, if it will be 6 i feel like nothing stands a big chance..

PS never ever would hang anything over the bed too, earthquake country or not. but i totally missed this pendant thing I must say. and i'm usually so cautious. unbelievable. oh well..

..i'm going to explore, and put together some back up plan. they won't change the wires now, they're in a hurry to pass the inspection. i'm going to look for something small, cute, semi-flash. if it exists lol

rockybird don't do pendants..see i'm already going nuts..)))

Or do pendants that are not breakable. Those Nelson ones should be safe.

@LaurieGordon Thank you!!! It's exciting and nerve wracking at the same time!

@Pal - That is a great thought, although I wonder if they will put out enough light. I will definitely add them to the list - AJ, Nelson, Grossman - I don't think I could go wrong when any of those!

@april-I can't wait to see how it looks! Very exciting!

@raven - that is a real good point. We don't get many earthquakes here, but still, I wouldn't want metal lights falling on my head if did have a strong one.

I still haven't decided what to do! But at least I now have some choices of lights. I am hoping when I see the framing up, I'll have a better idea on what will look best.

A down light with a metal shade will project light down. If the interior of the fixture is gold, and the table is walnut, not much will diffuse beyond the cone of light from the fixture.

A sconce with a wider aperture and I am assuming a white interior like the Cobra will probably bounce more diffuse light off a white wall over a wider area.

I like the sconces. But then, I read in bed when I can't sleep at night, so I'd find them practical. (Either that, or I visit GW on my Kindle...)

I have had low hanging lights by the bed before. They looked great but I found them pretty easy to hit when I was making the bed so I wouldn't use glass shades on them. If either of you really read in bed then you need to get lights that are really angled over your particular space and away from the other person unless they are willing to wear a sleep mask. To me neither of the design choices do that. The pendants will give a circle of light (although the light may be diffuse enough by the time it reaches the other side of the bed) and the sconces are actually angled from the outside of the bed toward the other person. The one thing that I would add would be four outlets for each side of the bed. You need separate switches so that you can each control the light on your side of the bed. You may also need to have a clock (perhaps one for each of you?) plugged in right by the bed and you may want to have chargers for your phone and iPad by the bed... And you may use an electric blanket, or one of those childminder gadgets so that you can hear what's going on in the babies room, or if you have extension phones attached to your cell phone you would need a place for the extension phone to be plugged in.