Something like this is what I'm always going back to:

Absolutely NOTHING is timeless. Some feature, such as metal finish, texture, glass, etc. will always be changing. That’s what the whole industry is based on: updating styles. Buy what makes you happy and enjoy it. Don’t over-invest, so that you don’t mind replacing it in 10 years.

Who cares if they're "in style" if you love them! Antique, brown wood furniture is now hopelessly "out of style", but I would not give mine up for anything. And who replaces light fixtures every 10 years?

Im so afraid of choosing something that looks cheap and, fake, can i say the word, 'farmhousey' instead of truly classy in a simple way.

Lanterns are trendy right now, but lights aren't that expensive or difficult to change later. If you want them, I say do it.

Our house is on a farm. I would like to make it look like its been there for a hundred years. Maybe thats why I'm questioning these lanterns. But i really dont know what would go and yet be in my taste range. I dont like ornate.

Yes! Thats the one!!;)

Mark, that's genius!

Heres one that I like a just a bit better than Marks suggestion:

Those lanterns you picked are beautiful but if you're questioning them maybe go with something else. To me they don't look like they've been there 100 years.

I struggled with choosing pendants too and really wanted the Hundi dome ones from PB and there was another lantern style also in the running. In the end I went with two 8" simple ORB and frosted opaque glass pendants and I'm glad I went a different direction. It's only been a few years but I do believe I would have absolutely hated cleaning the Hundi lights and would have tired of both styles by now.

I like the last one you posted much better. I read some people mention a glare from all glass pendants? Not sure so something to maybe look into.

One thing I'm concerned about with clear glass is dust and flyspecks. We have plenty of both.

If you're looking for style that looks like it's been there 100 years, try looking at Arroyo Craftsman. Or look on Rejuvenation.

Btw: In my lifetime lanterns like that have been in and out of style at least 3x. As mentioned, everything goes out of style Get what works with the house.

Yes, I was just going to say the large brass lanterns are a classic in the east in federal and colonial style homes. Not necessarily over kitchen islands...

Ashley, I'm on a farm too and I hear you about clear glass, dust, and flyspecks. Especially at this time of year : ) .

Do you have a picture or drawing of your kitchen?

I would look at milk glass pendants. What about something like Quoizel's Grant Pendant?

Here's a milk glass version of the one you posted (from Savoy House), this one is from Hudson Valley, from the Petersburg collection,

https://www.hvlgroup.com/Product/3412-OB

This one from Rejuvenation is quite nice and would definitely look like it's been in the house for quite some time : ) ,

Becky, I really love that last one! I'm going to check that one out some more. We're putting in white shaker style cabinets and a medium stain hardwood. I hesitate to post a drawing because I'm not sure I'm brave enough for the comments. :/

Be slightly cautious with Hudson Valley, unless you don't mind paying extra for the name.

There are LOTS of nice milk glass pendants out there. Check Rejuvnation, Historic House Parts, House of Antique Hardware.

Schoolhouse fixtures are always classic. Don't let their current rampant popularity put you off, if the style fits your house. Or you could do a simple fixture and use a vintage (or repro) shade. These were wildly popular in the 20's:

If you prefer something more ornate, there are plenty of Victorian styled fixtures out there. They come in other finishes, too:

And then there is mercury glass. I sort of have my eye on these, if I end up going more silvertone for the fixtures in that area of the house:

I feel your pain on this topic. I'm building a house that is a farm house - without being "modern farmhouse." And finding fixtures that are neither "rustic glam" nor midcentury modern is a PITA.

It helps to shop places that stock historic fixtures and reproductions when you're trying to step out of the box. I have a thread on this where all sorts of helpful people gave me other suggestions on where to look, too.

Also, as a maintenance point, it's much easier to clean flyspecks of glossy finished milk glass than it is acid-etched. The fluted shade I showed you is the former, while the pendants Beck and I each showed you are the latter.

Milk glass is actually white all the way through. Acid-etched is clear glass that has been treated to have a rough, translucent surface.

For timeless, I would go with vintage lighting or reproduction. I agree, the pendant you selected is beautiful, but too trendy for me... but then it's not my house.

fwiw, there was a thread in Kitchens not that long ago about pendants over the island. I was surprised so many said they do not like them/would not want them. I thought it was just me. I haven't had a fixture over the island in our last two homes.

OTOH, I hate can lights with the heat of 1000 suns. So I will probably go with pendants, in an attempt to have as few cans as is humanly possible, while still being able to see.

post some pics of your kitchen and living area so we can see the style of your home. much easier to help with a visual.

always do anything that goes with the style/type of your home.

A hundred years ago you wouldn't find a farmhouse with a peninsula or an island in the kitchen! I'm not saying do away with your peninsula but historical accuracy can only go so far in a new build so don't trip yourself up on the lights. A simple milk glass pendant IMO is much more reminiscent of a farmhouse than a brass lantern which would not have made it to the interior 100 years ago. In addition to type of fixture think about scale. We're having a moment of oversized, massive scale lights but it's just a moment. Pick something smaller, not necessarily mini, and it will have a longer moment. But I agree that pendant lights are a relatively easy update in the scheme of things when/ if that time comes.

Can lights aren’t hot anymore. The new ones are LED and cool. I searched for a ceiling fixture for over three years (odd shape requirements) and finally had the flushmount changed to a can and another can added. Had all the old cans and eyeballs swapped out. Virtually no cleaning or maintenance now.

If you want/need cans, add dimmers. Use LED bulbs/cans, and choose warmer or cooler, depending on your wants.

I hate can lights too but realistically changing bulbs constantly is a pia. So I relented and let dh and my electrician talk me into a reasonable amount of led recessed lights. They really do put out a good amount of light and high quality in places like kitchens. So you might want to be open minded (to a degree). And yes...dimmers. Everywhere.

I like timeless (whatever that is) and really admired the large lanterns. Sophie and several others convinced me it was not the way to go and I found pendants on Rejuvination. Not installed yet. This company is frustrating but if you can put up with the frustration the end result is worth it. Just beautiful products.

Dont get me started on Hudson Valley and their crooked sconces. Beware.

i love the milk glass. The light from opal or milk glass is nicer imo than clear glass. I adore the Rejuvination pendant posted by BeckySharp above.

lighting is hard and it’s a crap shoot what kind of quality you will end up with online. Even with the pricey brands. My advice....don’t throw out any boxes!

Im so afraid of choosing something that looks cheap and, fake, can i say the word, 'farmhousey' instead of truly classy in a simple way.

Pay close attention to materials and how the fixtures are made, regardless of what you choose. For example, many oil-rubbed bronze finishes are terrible, much as the old "gold" bright brass finishes were. Try to see in person whatever you're considering, or at least make sure that returns are free. I live in a remote area and seeing light fixtures in person before purchase when were were building our new house wasn't an option.

You could even give some consideration to actual vintage fixtures. Sometimes this means it's difficult to find 2 or 3 that match, but not always. Rejuvenation has this one in "quantities":

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/r6488

Or check Etsy. If you're dealing with a seller who clearly does restoration work, you can ask about multiples.

Another of the milk glass Sheffield fixtures:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/211538241/sheffield-antique-brass-bare-wire?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pendant%20light%20vintage&ref=sr_gallery-1-6&more_colors=1

These are French, and would have to be entirely rewired. But that's doable:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/589681718/vintage-french-pressed-glass-ceiling?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pendant%20light%20vintage&ref=sr_gallery-4-16

I also see lots of these acorn pendants:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/600091364/vintage-antique-art-deco-acorn-pendant?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pendant%20light%20vintage&ref=sr_gallery-4-26

Or, again, just shop for shades to put on the simple fixtures:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/617855486/vintage-glass-globe-glass-globe-pendant?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pendant%20light%20vintage&ref=sr_gallery-4-27

Or even a classic enamel dome:

I love the classic brass/glass lanterns, but they only have been used in a farmhouse (typically in a hall) if it was a "gentleman's farm", not a true working farm, lived in by those who did the farming. 100 years ago, there might not have even been electricity and the lighting would be gas or oil and not very bright. There are times to go for authentic (actually very rarely!), and there are times and places to go with what works today. Kitchens are in this category, and to some degree, bathrooms (there would have been no shower 100 years ago).

Chose something easy to keep clean that you like. Avoid anything truly discordant - not sputnik fixtures.

Also keep in mind how easy/difficult it will be to get to island pendants to clean them regularly : ) .

We chose from visual comfort and found their selection met our criteria which was similar to what u are describing.

The caveat is that you have to like what you choose. I don't happen to like those lanterns for a kitchen; they look more appropriate for the exterior of the house or an entranceway. I do like some of the other suggestions. Just my taste. :)

You have all been extremely helpful! I think I know a bit more where to head in as far as style. As soon as I have time I'm going to sit down and check out some of these suggestions.

If I were going to use a lantern, I certainly not select one with a top and glass sides. You'll be cleaning those daily. Here are lanterns that are just the frame.

If you home is a bit more country, I would use a barn light style.

Holly, I am tempting myself with mercury glass! There are some beautiful mercury glass pendants out there.

I love them, too. But I think I'm going to have to commit to a countertop surface first. :-) I'm afraid if I go with soapstone, the mercury glass will be too much grey. If I go with a light/white surface, then they'd be OK. Everything has to work together.

I have black soapstone and I don't think mercury glass would be too much grey. Are you thinking about black or green soapstone? With a lighter green, I would definitely wait until counters are selected if you usually like more contrast. Either way, I would not be ordering light fixtures until other materials and cabinets are selected.

I went with pendants with 10” conical ribbed glass shades for my very simply built 1918 cottage kitchen. Though clear glass is a penance to clean and ribbed glass turned out to be even more so, it finally dawned on me to use the dishwasher to clean my shades. They come out squeaky clean. With lanterns, sadly, you will not have that option. I’ll see if I can attach a pix of the kitchen - I’m in the middle of a kitchen remodel. The pendants, bought 25 years ago, are staying.

After much research and budget analysis I'm leaning towards something like this:

They’ll look beautiful, and are indeed a classic style.