Surface fixtures and recessed can lights DON'T look awkward mixed together. In fact, if you look at pictures of most kitchens, a variety of lights are usually used including surface mount, pendants, recessed cans, etc. If you haven't been to the kitchen forum here on Gardenweb, I highly recommend it. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/ It is a very active forum and there are folks over there who are truly whizzes at all things kitchen related. There is also a blog started by a gardenweb member where other GWs post pictures of their kitchens when they finish remodeling. A few minutes watching the slideshow there will set your mind totally at rest with regard to mixing lighting types. Here is a link to it... Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen slide show

Holly, it's a good question. I don't know of any resources which link lighting fixtures to architectural periods and styles. The best source I can think of is to research photos of legitimate architectural styles to see the types of fixtures originally installed, and then compare with modern fixtures to see ones which may be reasonably similar. On the other hand, more "modern" fixtures are also possible, but perhaps not in highly visible locations and places, i.e., recessed lights where the light source is not so visible, but the desired illumination is achieved. The challenge with lighting design is that there are at least three categories of lighting for interior spaces, and few fixtures respond to all three types equally well. The three types of lighting are: 1) Ambient; 2) Task; and 3) Feature or accent lighting. Many of the more decorative-type fixtures tend to be feature or accent lighting, and may not be particularly suited for either overall ambient lighting or direct task lighting. Thus, the first step in lighting design is to figure out the category of lighting which may be needed, followed by looking at the appropriate types of fixtures made for the category of lighting and which are appropriate for the style of the house. Unfortunately, what a lot of consumers seem to do is see a light they just "like" on HGTV or somewhere and say, "Let's get that one!". Hope this helps. Perhaps others have some good sources to cite for lighting fixtures in relation to lighting categories and architectural styles.

Is it weird / noticeable to use a clear shade for the entry when all the other ones are frosted/opal? Love the shape of that foyer light and was thinking of doing an Edison bulb for that location as it's pretty small (4x4) and you can see it from the living room

I’d want it as close to the front as I could get it without the light rail cutting into the beam. (Per the specs, these have a 110-degree beam angle.)