Need help with a light fixture over piano

6 years ago

Trying to find light fixture to go over a glossy black baby grand piano that will be placed in a ~9x9 alcove which has only one full wall. Other three sides....one abuts a great room/DR combo, one abuts a 4' walkway with 4' open space next to that (coming from entrance hall), and one side is a knee wall open to sizeable entrance hall. So, although alcove is small, visual open space is quite large. Ceiling is 9'. I think min 18" to 24" wide?? height 24 to 28"?

In terms of style, we will have an oriental rug under piano (the one I own for piano is in pix) and in the DR opposite.

Thinking about the Hubbardton Forge linear fixture below to go over an elm table.

Expect to use upholstered dining chairs, either soft ivory or pull a color from the DR rug. Debating whether linear DR fixture forces a more traditional/less bling fixture for the piano. None of fixtures seem to be ideal in size...but even style concept is a struggle. A few I have considered are below.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Featured Answer

beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally

6 years ago

Is the light fixture over the piano for looks/aesthetics, or will the person at the piano require/depend on the light coming from the fixture?

If you've already decided for certain on the Hubbardton Forge fixture, given the large "visual open space", all the other fixtures, including the one over the piano, should co-ordinate. They don't have to match, but they need to work/play well together.

Debating whether linear DR fixture forces a more traditional/less bling fixture for the piano.

No. Both light fixtures have to somehow relate, in color or style or shape. Given that, I like your first choice, the drum pendant with brass, and think it's the best. Not only does it include some brass, as the HF does, but it looks like the round version of the rectangular HF fixture. I like how smooth and sleek each of the fixtures is, given how you describe the design style -- "fairly sleek china hutch of burled walnut with a slightly Asian fusion feel. Rugs are crazy patterns". The fixtures will be an oasis of calm in what sounds like an eclectic and eye-catching interior and won't compete.

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Comments (6)

beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years ago
Impossible to answer without seeing the alcove and all the adjoining spaces, especially because you note that "the visual open space is quite large".

You need to post more photos, of the alcove itself, the great room/DR combo, and "sizeable entrance hall".
DG thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
DG
Original Author
6 years ago
I don't have any photos yet because it is new construction and just at the framing stage. Here are floor plans...
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DG
Original Author
6 years ago
The width of the "open" space is 17'3" which includes the foyer walkway and the stairwell which will be open railing (stairs only go down) . The depth of the visually open space from piano to front door is 23'2" (13' entrance hall, 18" knee wall and ~9'alcove). From the edge of piano space to back windows is all open and that space is 18'4". Thanks in advance for comments...all thoughts welcome.
DG
Original Author
6 years ago
Grr...just realized that the fixture must be shorter than I thought. When piano is open, the top of it is 70" AFF. Decided to do a CAD mock up of fixture size.

Above are two views of a 30" round fixture centered in alcove, 12" chain height to ceiling (sorry chain does not totally show), placed at 78" AFF. CAD package has limited styles, so ignore style of fixture...as well as styles of other fixtures. Foyer fixtures are 24" semi flush. DR fixture is sized based on the HF linear shown (ignore fact that chains dont show).

Irrespective of size of piano fixture, wall config is such that about half of it will be visible from front door. So, other thought would be to totally eliminate the fixture, put some scones on alcove wall and just use a standing gooseneck for lighting music.

Thoughts about just doing sconces???

Off topic...but ignore furniture style in foyer. Display case is a fairly sleek china hutch of burled walnut with a slightly Asian fusion feel. Rugs are crazy patterns...all of them will be Oriental...except thinking about plain light beige area for GR (and maybe dining area).

Hoping to get a few comments..please.
DG
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, Becky, I deeply appreciate your time looking at this and responding....would love it if you (or others) have more comments..

We are eclectic in style; I guess our style has evolved and we just keep what we like over time. This is my first home to build (and is our "forever home") and our first experience with open floor plan. Open floor plan makes coordinating fixtures much more important and challenging, avoiding matchy matchy.

The rugs looked crazy in the CAD shots because the program will not import the full picture, but they are in fact Oriental rugs, black fields with dominant colors of ivory, soft greens and blues with a bit of rose. We will definitely use the entrance hall rug (first one below) and the piano rug (second one), but not sure about the dining room one which has a lot of rose. All three may be too much black...so may make both GR and DR rugs a simple ivory cut to fit. We invested in the wool and silk rugs almost 20 years ago and they have held up well; we still like them even though they are out of style. Thinking we will do the great room sofa (s) in a soft green that will help tie rugs into the bigger space....and will probably use a soft green water color print over the fireplace.

Re your question about function for the piano light.....Although we want something that looks nice, we do need to have a functional light too. The piano has a computer player attached to it, but some of our grown children and some grandchildren also play, so sheet music is also read at the piano. I could do a gooseneck for task lighting, but don't care for that look.

Dear hubbie loves Hubbardton Forge lights and he is really sold on the linear one for the DR. I was hoping for some bling somewhere, but must admit it may not be a good fit for any spot in the space. We also have some Hub Forge lamps that may or may not work out for the GR. I think of Hub Forge as more casual, but with the shades rather than globes, could be our best option. DH wants to do dark smoke metal in HF which is a a bit unusual...close up looks like a taupe brown with a hint of green in it...oddly from a distance just looks bronze and in pictures looks more grey.

Below is the Thomasville hutch I was referring to for the entrance hall. It will house collections of various things we have gathered while travelling (not china). It and the things in it have personal history for us. It of course, has brass hardware...so another metal to mix in. "Eclectic" is a kind way to say "really mixed and a bit crazy!"

Still debating what style light fixture(s) for that area too. We are planning to have a DR table made; thinking will stain it to coordinate with both hutch below and the kitchen island.

Any additional thoughts very, very welcome!