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Design Dilemma Lighting

Selecting light fixture shouldn’t be this hard

5 years ago

Hello! I am trying hard to select a light fixture for the foyer of my house. Ceilings are 9’ high and the entry is a fairly large space (for a foyer) but not huge - 9’ 2” wide by approx 12’.
The styles I’m drawn to tend to be (pardon me I’m guessing) more Scandinavian in style. Floor is wire brushed 7” white oak. Railing to 2nd is black iron. Was thinking of white walls maybe with wainscoting or ? I’m not a sparkly chandelier type. Would a fairly large flush mount light or semi flush be best? It doesn’t need to be the kind of light that people will walk in and immediately say “what a light!” It needs to throw enough light for the space and I want it to be attractive. I’ve included a photo of the foyer in its current state. I’m stumped so any and all opinions are welcome! Thank you!

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Flo Mangan

5 years ago

This is interesting and good pricing too.

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Comments (17)

PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
You seem to have two junction boxes in ceiling? Am I seeing this right? Your door hardware looks either black or oil rubbed bronze. With stair metal being black, I would probably go with black with possibly some touches of gold. Do you have a budget for these we need to respect? Any wall color selected yet?
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Thanks for your opinions so far! This is a picture of the downstairs (excuse the boxes and coats please) I need a light for there too. I think it would make sense for them to be the same, but maybe I am wrong. Jamies the light is just terrible! It makes DH especially nuts because he uses one of the hall closets for his clothes. I would like to put a solartube in one of these days. My dad put one in his upstairs hallway and it made a world of difference even at night. Ok - I guess I need to give up on liking the light and settling for something that goes and provides the most light possible. How about one of these? Currently the light fixture takes one 60 watt bulb I think. #1 option - This one takes 4 100watt bulbs... #2 option - and this one takes 3 100 watt bulbs... #3 option - This one takes 5 20 watt G4 halogen bulbs. I dont understand what that is compared to regular bulbs... #4 option I like this but it only takes 3 60 watt bulbs (and it is the most expensive)...
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The builder may be looking ahead to possibly save you additional cost and delay. If a large and/or heavy fixture needs to be attached to something in addition to the electrical junction box, you might need some additional structure above the ceiling, or in the walls for sconces, to mount it to. It's a lot easier to put it in before the sheetrock goes up.
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PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Just guessing on where this will hang. But just to give you idea.
caymanbaby29
Original Author
5 years ago
Hello! There's only one light box I believe the other is a pot light. Starting right there and behind me - There's pot lights down the hallway (behind me where I was standing when taking the photo is a hallway to the kitchen). The hardware will be black. I do like touches of gold, not going crazy with it but the lights I've chosen for the kitchen, dining and stairwell are all black, gold or have either one of those as the "metal parts" of otherwise glass fixtures. I hope that makes sense. Layman here. lol

My budget is healthy but not extravagant. .

I have not yet chosen colours for the walls - the contractor is on my case about that too! But if I look at images I've "liked" they tend to be light and white. He said I could do wainscoting or I think he called it picture mould.

I've got a zillion things to decide it seems right now - its becoming overwhelming. I think white will be the entry as the kitchen (which it opens to) will be white. (white exterior cabinets with black walnut island and marble look quartz countertops and white chevron backsplash).

If I went with color the living room (to the left of the foyer in this photo) and the dining room (to the left and behind me where I'm standing) are all open with extra large doorways but distinct rooms if that makes sense. The fireplace in the living room will be black herringbone tile surround with a white mantle. Too much info for light selection?! Have at er...... Thank you!
caymanbaby29
Original Author
5 years ago
OH my - that is funny you picked that exact light - the only fixture I've actually purchased is the 12 light version of that exact fixture!!! and its going in the stairwell - the stairs have a 2' gap between the up and down so you can see the ceiling of the 2nd floor from the basement and so I loved that light for that spot.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Well there you go. Great minds. Excellent added info. Depending on where the stairway fixture hangs using the smaller version in the entry would be fine. With a 9’ ceiling you are somewhat limited in size. (Height). You need 7’ from floor to bottom of fixture which leaves 24” for fixture total.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
You could do something like this one.
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
These are interesting
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
That is cool Irene. Not sure 9’ ceiling will accommodate that height in foyer though?
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
Flo Mangan, no it wouldn’t, unless in a smaller scale, maybe in the staircase, but that wasn’t the question lol
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Sorry if I offended you Irene. Love your ideas and generous inputs on Houzz. Just thinking out loud.
Irene Morresey
5 years ago
Flo Mangan, gosh no didn’t offend me at all, just me jumping the gun, when I went back and saw how low ceiling was, you were totally correct. I do come up with some random comments though, love it on Houzz
PRO
Seldens Furniture
5 years ago
Love the idea of the cage like light fixture. I think it makes a great statement for the front entrance. Agree that 24" is probably the biggest size in the space. What do you think of these other options. Good luck with your remodel!

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acm
5 years ago
I'd like a semi-flush in this setting, which would be about the right scale and focus.
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"Scandinavian" can cover a lot of ground...
caymanbaby29
Original Author
5 years ago
Yeah - I wish I had a specific word for the style I like. Would make it easier! Lol those are nice. What do you think of this one?
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
I like that one a lot and it would coordinate well with the one you have purchased. The size will be important to know because the spots i see to hang this fixture seem to be off center and a bit odd. Make a paper template of the size and hold up to assess the look.
caymanbaby29
Original Author
5 years ago
Flo I think the photographers angle was to blame for the odd looking light location. (That’s me). I will do that. Good idea. But I need to find that light first.

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