Have you tried a low watt FROSTED bulb? Otherwise you chose the wrong lighs. Clear globes always glare. I don't understand the appeal. Get a shaded pendant that forces light on to the counter. Rather than in your eyes.

Or replace with recessed lights over the peninsula

you're probably right. i will have to replace. such a shame...because they were pricey! :o(

Try frosted bulbs first, it may be a simple inexpensive solution. A second solution is to have these lights on a dimmer switch. Then when you don't need the brighter light for kitchen use, you can soften the view from living room. I suggest moving slow, you can probably keep and enjoy the glass globes.

They do make a spray paint for “frosted” glass..these are not “mood” lights so reducing the bulbs may not offer the bright light you need there for function

You could start off by taping off the bottom portion and just spraying the top half...

thanks everyone for your suggestions. I do have a dimmer on the lights, but that hasn't helped either. I think painting the glass with frosted glass paint probably will be the way to go. i never knew that paint existed. if it doesn't work...i guess i'll have to replace them. Thanks once again to all! Stay safe and stay well!

If those are kichler, they make a glass that has a mercury finish, you could just order those, that may be what you need as it is a darker glass and more muted when lit.

I don't think they are kichler...we bought them a few years ago and it's just lately i'm thinking to myself...these are useless over the counter...we never turn them on because of the glare...hence, deciding to ask for some suggestions. maybe the frosted paint will be the way to go...at least we won't see the glare. thanks again...

https://www.build.com/kichler-42044mer/s918612?uid=2304595&source=gg-gba-pla_2304595!c1711172086!a62307732930!dc!ng&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwYPEj4zh6QIVvh-tBh3JpwXHEAQYCSABEgK64_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I guess I should rephrase, lol. Those ARE kichler, everly series.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kichler-Everly-Olde-Bronze-Traditional-Mercury-Glass-Schoolhouse-Pendant-Light/1000730226

The other option:

Get a par 20 light bulb all downlight, it will solve the problem

WOW.. thanks RL relocation LLC (i tried thanking you by clicking "thank you"...but for some reason, it won't let me). I will definitely try the bulbs first...and when stores open up, will check out the mercury glass. I love the look of the globes...have country/traditional decor...so i think the mercury would work very well. thanks again...and thanks everyone!!!

In this case ....the size and shape of the more “functional” ...(not pretty)... bulbs will show through the clear glass...these clear glass fixtures are meant to have decorative bulbs as they are in clear view....not sure what the mercury bulb will do in your dilemma but that is worth trying if you can return it....

look around at restaurants, trendy bars, etc. lamps with pretty, exposed bulbs are only used as decorative "mood lighting" and don't really light up the space. so get a pretty bulb you like and put the lamps on a dimmer. you will need to have other sources of light in the room if you need to light the space well.

The trade off is ..expensive replacement costs...compared to a couple dollars in spray paint and an easy project ...if you take that option...the trick is to spray very light layers so the paint doesn’t run..

The trade off to that is they could look terrible....

Yes they could look terrible?...if you replace them ..they will be removed...what is lost?

DIY white spray paint is never going to look as smooth as white glass. when the bulb is off, it might look ok. but once you turn it on, there will be dark splotches where the paint is thicker. a perfectly even application will be virtually impossible. I still think using decorative bulbs on a dimmer (and having supplementary light nearby) is the best option. or replace the lamps.

another option: replace just the shades. take the glass off and bring it into a lighting store. also take detailed pictures of the collar (the thing the glass attaches to). they might be able to help you find different shades in white glass. it might not be the same shape, but it's worth a look. could cost less than a full replacement.

We are talking about replacing the glass only, you screw off the threaded ring and put the new glass on.........never said take them down.

I have already identified the Kichler glass for her, and also if it is a standard 2 1/4 fitter there is a lot of glass that could slip on there.

Thanks everyone for all of your comments. I really appreciate your taking the time to help me. We happened to have a Par 20 bulb on hand...that directs the light down...which worked great...but looked really industrial...so probably won't go that route. I guess taking the glass globe down and taking to a lighting store will probably be the best option so that i can get a globe that doesn't allow blinding light...but at least is functional. The Par 20 bulb was fabulous...it lit up my countertop extremely well, which is what I wanted originally over the kitchen work area. Just wish they made them to look a little more pleasing.

And also...on another decor dilemma...you can see in the photo in the middle of the kitchen...the contractor grade light that was installed when we built the house. we've been wanting to replace with something country looking...that hangs from the ceiling or that goes lengthwise over the small island that i have in the middle. any suggestions again would be appreciated.

frosted bulb, lower wattage and/or dimmer

ok, ask to look at the Westinghouse glass options, actually, if you just take a tape measure and measure across the top of the opening which slips the glass onto the fixture it should be 2 1/4 which is standard, meaning you could even go to lowes'/homedepo and look at other glass and metal shade options. just make sure the scale is good.

as to the kitchen flush mount, I wouldnt hang anything, it will get to busy/ cluttered looking.

1. convert it into a recessed light to match the rest

2. make it a semi flush

question is that light on its own switch?

yes...the light has its own switch.

And re the globe lights, we have tried frosted bulbs and the lights are on a dimmer. the frosted bulb was still too bright and when we used the dimmer, it defeated the purpose of having the light for the work area. i'll try going to loew's or home depot and see if i can get a replacement globe. once again...thanks everyone for all the help! stay safe!!

yeah, like I said above, lamps dimmed really low need supplementary light (which in your case would be the cans). one bonus is that when dinner / cleanup is over, you can turn off the cans and have beautiful mood lighting in there.

if having dimmed bulbs as mood lighting is too dim, get some under cabinet lights. I think that combo would look really nice in the background for evenings when you're relaxing in the family room.