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Lighting Design Dilemma Kitchens

2 or 3 pendants over 8ft island?

5 years ago

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are in the middle of a home renovation. We are trying to decide between 2 or 3 glass pendants over our 8ft island. Our kitchen is 18ft x 14ft but we only have 8ft ceilings. I really love the idea of the Pottery Barn Flynn Oversized Glass Pendants for over the island but I’m unsure if they will give off enough light in our kitchen. The pendants are 17” in diameter, and accommodate one 100w bulb. The other option is PB’s smaller version with a 11.5 dimension.
We do have 7 can lights surrounding the island at various exterior countertop spaces. We are just nervous the island will not be well lit without 3 pendants. What do you think?

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

Those are totally inadequate for task light. You’d have to have recessed lights spotlighting the Counter to be able to see not to cut off your finger while chopping veggies.

Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
No they will not give off enough light, IMO 3 smaller pendants would be better . Please avoid any lighting in your house that has Edison type bulbs they cast a yellow glow over everything. Get some fixtures with daylight LEDs
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I was asking recently about a hood and small pendants (older thread). My solution involves the symmetry of two small pendants working with the hood. I like high-hats for their unobtrusive lighting, but my personal taste is to have something decorative providing some light and some style at the same time. I say yes, do a pendant. It's hard to visualize your space, but from the description I'm thinking a long bar light over the peninsula, and the hood over the island.
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Do you have images of the pendants? Maybe there is a smaller version available.
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Thank you Jan! I’ll get back on the info of the island size. Another dilemma, I’m painting the kitchen cabinets SW extra white on the uppers and SW Cascades a dark beautifully rich green on lowers and island. I have a section where the double oven and fridge nook are connected. Do I paint that whole section white or cascades?
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You have good lighting now so I would be picky on this. that being said I would just remove that dome light in favor of another can. and yes they are everywhere. seems something was done out of order or after something else was changed. Can you post a picture looking at the length of the island or toward the window.
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TennyJenny
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you Ms. Colwell and Ms. Wheeler for your responses. I think we fell in love with the oversized look but it still feeling airy. Would either of you be able to suggest some pendants that could work (offer ample light, but still feel light and airy)?
Caroline
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We are using 3 of the 10" Pottery Barn City Glass pendants over our 9' island. I was also worried about having enough task lighting, so we added a can light over the island sink.

Just wanted to add that many use lanterns over the island for an airy look and plenty of light.
TennyJenny
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks so much, Caroline!
rosiemb
4 years ago
Hi TennyJenny, I was wondering if you finished your project and if you’d share your results? I’m in the same situation and interested in the same lighting you were. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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