Thats an interesting point you bing up there dmlove. I never thought of that. Although our current side table lamps are those cheap IKEA frosted rectangular lights that sit right on the table and are open on top. My wife seems to read OK with them (I guess I should verify this...). The pendants I had in mind would be lightly frosted. I was thinking the Hampton Bay Architect if I can get it in Canada. Here is a link that might be useful: Hampton Bay Architect

birdgardner - You're too funny! Does that mean I should hire some local teenagers to jump up and down on my stairs to test if the height is good? Lol! avesmor - Thank so much for your thoughtful reply and beautiful photo! You are a wealth of knowledge! Sorry I don't have a better picture. Yes, it will be mounted to an 8' ceiling above the 2nd story floor pictured. And yes, we have a railing now (that photo is a few months old when the floors were getting worked on). Position wise, if you are standing on the higher angled landing, the light will be directly above where the missing railing should be (not centered directly over the staircase). I'll put an "X" there. Does that help? If it's still too unclear, I can try to get a better picture with the light that's there now. Centered at eye level as you stand. Hmmm - that sounds like a good height. Yes, I am worried about the cleaning/changing bulb factor. The electrician is going to have to construct a scaffold just to install it. You can't just plop a ladder against the wall to reach it. =/ I went with enclosed glass thinking it would get less dusty than the bell jar style pendant that I originally wanted that was open at the top (DH said NO WAY to that idea). I didn't even Think to do an open design that I could have attacked with a swiffer. Sigh. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Changing bulbs will likely be a nightmare. DH wants to go with an energy efficient Long lasting bulb so he has to change it as seldomly as possible. That's terrific that your DH can reach it with a hook. My DH is not that tall (could I hire yours when it's time to change a bulb? ha ha, just kidding). But maybe we could find a tall, long limbed friend or relative to help us!

Kelleg i agree to using a similiar mounting height but if I'm seeing sources suggesting 30-36" above counter then add 3" for every foot that becomes more of a disparity than a few inches. I do have an electrician but I was trying to nail it down ahead of time so I don't drive him crazy before he comes to do the job. The pedants are large and are just under the max recommended for size of the room when I've done the math. I plan to do 2 . I won't know until I see them up and the problem is they are a little heavy and awkward. I'm going to try to see if I can get DH to just rest on top of a ladder or something so I can see. I've been trying to figure out how I could hang some beach balls from the ceiling to give me an idea Lol but I can't figure out how I can get up there! I even googled the cost to rent scaffolding haha. zorro I agree to some extent but after having a 24" pendant installed in the eat in dining part of this room I missed the mark slightly selecting the right size so I don't want to do that again. since that day I always saw something larger needed. The height I selected was fine at 36" off table so maybe I just need to address getting size of the pendants to fit the scale of the room? In hindsight I kept thinking I should have had the same size as what I had installed in my foyer. I guess I'm being fussy but I want it right ... just like you I didn't want to see bulbs in certain applications. I've read some great articles that have had some great guidelines that I had not considered here: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/21907-pendant-lighting-101/#.WRtHo_D3aEc https://www.google.com/amp/www.decoist.com/2013-03-21/hanging-pendant-lights-ideas-inspiration/amp/ The second one I agree with the point that your trying to almost bring the ceiling down visually so that it looks like a more normal height and also I'm trying to fill some of the empty space if that makes sense. I have plain empty walls where vault continues up and rather than hanging art thought it would be cool to have decorative lighting against that plain backdrop of wall space. Vinmarks it may just be what I like but again it's based on my experience with my current dining pendant being to small for the space and too much dead space above...just trying to find a balance. StanZ thanks I agree 100%. I'm 5'6" but my gang is on the taller side 6' to 6'3" i'm leaning to starting at least 36" but wondering how high after that? bbtrix great idea with balloons! Your look great. I definitely don't want vision obstructed either. I don't care for any pendants that low. I like how yours are placed. From that pic they look nice just above fridge with the white cabinetry as a backdrop. Also in first pic with balloons I do like that they are more down in front of the tops of the cabinets rather than floating in ceiling area. That picture helps! My pendants will hang the opposite way of your vault tho if that makes sense. How high is the vault at which your pendants are mounted from floor to ceiling?

Nope, I'd use can lights.