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Home Decorating Lighting Design Dilemma

Overall design - in particular d.r. fixture

5 years ago

This is the third time I'm trying to post my design dilemma without any luck, so hopefully third time is the charm. Perhaps I was trying to post too many photos, so will break them down in a few posts.

We moved into our retirement home recently and love having an open concept space, but picking out light fixtures has been a bit of a challenge for me. Fell in love with the island lanterns and had three installed over our 9 1/2 ft. island. The dining room fixture was existing when we purchased the house and I would like to replace it. The sideboard lamps can be switched out (although I adore them and have had them over 30 years). Although we get quite a bit of natural light with the dark furniture, dark floors and dark counter tops the rooms are looking... well dark, lol.... We have an elderly dog and although little accidents are rare we don't want to get a carpet at the moment, which I'm sure will lighten things up. Dining room table is oval, so I feel that the fixture above would need to be roundish rather than rectangular. Our ceiling heights in the kitchen and dining room are 9'. They are 10' in great/living room. I think we could go with a fixture above the table that would be no more than 41" including chain/rod. That would give us 36" from top of table to bottom of fixture. Presently the dining room fixture is 38" above table which is hung a little high, but I guess this had to be done because of the length of the rod.

DH did not want the tv mounted over the fireplace, so this was the best we could do. I will try to find a piece of art a little larger than the existing one on the opposite side of the fireplace to balance out the tv. Here is an overall look of the rooms. Cannot put lamps on end tables as there is no electricity and the basement is finished. Also think there would be too many light fixtures in overall look. Would love to get your feedback. As mentioned earlier will post more photos in separate post.

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Comments (8)

cbrfd
Original Author
5 years ago
cbrfd
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Some dining room fixtures I was thinking about, but open to other ideas... The first one is polished nickel with a little crystal, the second polished nickel and flat black and the third one is classic pewter finish. My island lanterns are polished nickel and flat black.
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Laura Mac
5 years ago
HI cbrfd, looks like you have a beautiful place! The side-board (to me) doesn't work there.

A large, long buffet along that wall would be better, then move the side board to behind the couch. (You don't want to see electrical cords going across the wall).

Do you have a buffet of any kind?

Those lamps don't fit there, so remove those too. I actually love the light fixture over the table, so perhaps if you fix that back wall, remove the small lamps, and get a new piece, it will feel better. It seems the big crystal bowl on the center of the table is competing with the crystal light above?

You can decide if you want lamps later after you rework the area....

Also, I would get a cabinet/millwork guy to come out and see if he could take your cabinets to the ceiling with crown. There are ways to add a little wood and crown (even if MDF) to finish it off....

Best of luck!
cbrfd
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hi Laura: Thanks for your input. Yes. I think I will have to find a spot for my sideboard lamps somewhere else. Unfortunately, no other pieces of furniture to go in place of sideboard. Unfortunately, if we moved the sideboard behind the sofa the walkway would be too tight.

I absolutely agree with you re the cabinets. That was one thing that really bothered me, along with the corner cabinet on an angle. Prior to moving in I found out the name of the kitchen cabinet company. They still make the door style, but no longer do this colour of paint on the cabinets so I would have to get bottom cabinets repainted as well. I had them quote me on repainting and redoing the uppers to be flush with the ceiling with a crown and a custom fan vent to replace the exhaust fan there presently. Unfortunately, they came back with a figure of $16,000.00. I thought I will just have to live with it at the moment and address it down the road. There was absolutely no privacy in the backyard so we focused our time (and funds) there by putting in large trees, patio, etc.
salonva
5 years ago
I could see the 2nd of the lighting fixtures you posted as having some good potential in your space. Beautiful space! Possibly the 3rd one as well. I don't think I care for the first one. I am far from an expert; just giving you my initial impressions.
cbrfd
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Salonva. Appreciate your input. I forgot to mention, I definitely need a large piece of art on the wall going down the stairs.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
Is there a related fixture from the manuf. that made your lovely pendant lights. That would be the first place I looked. Who is the manuf.?
cbrfd
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hi Beverly. Tried that route. Unfortunately, nothing. They look like a knock off of the Hudson Valley "Hollis" light fixture. Mine are made by Langdon Mills "Baron" and are a little smaller than the Hudson Valley ones which works better for my ceiling height. Here are both so you can see.

Langdon Mills:

Hudson Valley:

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