Something like these?

Thank you! That is an excellent suggestion.

Thank you for your response, and I appreciate your candor. I’m just wondering if they are too contempory for a post and beam house... (We did stike out with the first suggestion as everything we found seemed far too big for this spot)

I think it's just the way they appear in the picture. The lowest part of the beams are over 8 ft- probably around 8' 3"-8' 6", the higher parts are probably around 9' 6", so not especially low.

I’d go for rustic elegant. But I’d also add plenty of lamps in the room, besides having overhead fixtures.

Lamps Plus has a ’view in your room feature’ you could use for ideas. Just upload a photo of the rooms with the lights you’re interested in.

Is this her current furniture? If so, is she keeping two sitting areas or is far area the dining room?

8'6 is low, and low profile track or rail should really just be lighting and not a focal point. there are lots of examples of track in post and beam. the other struggle is you only can put certain mounting plates on the beam that have to stay inside that width so also be aware of that.

So otherwise, I would do a 4'' disc wafer style light that sits flush and goes away. I say this bc neither of these areas really seem to be asking for decorative fixtures, and the style should be the focal point in that case.

Allison, she is keeping two seating areas ( she has a dining room that’s not visible in the pictures) but not necessarily all the furniture (it is mostly our old furniture from a summer house). She is a little overwhelmed with it all and we decided the most objectionable item was the lights. (And the need for a second rug, which we ordered shortly after the original post).

Jinx, rustic elegant sounds like a great idea, Im just not sure what that is is.

RL Relocation: It sounds like she has low ceilings afrter all, and some type of track lighting would be best. I can take your suggestions to a lighting store as i really don't understand the terminology. (I do understand that any fixture will need to be mounted in the same location as the existing fixture and the supports will need to be mounted on that same beam.) Would black be best, or would bronze work better?

well lucky for you I am 14 years into lighting now lol. I no longer work at a store but I can explain it. Track will just give you more flex as to seating etc and also lots of great lighting. I would go bronze or aged brass. yes the power will mount to the same location.

if you can get a larger room shot so we can see the rest of the space it will help determine how many lights you should put on the track.

Thank you so much! I was there for the holiday but we have since left. Five hour drive so hard to go back, but i can have her take a picture. Would you want the dimensions of the room, or just a picture standing at a different location?

Im thinking it's pretty easy for her to text you a picture of the place? just a thought.

A bit of delay in getting the pictures, but I think these are better than the original ones I posted. Also, the room is approximately 13’ x31’.

yes much better!

seeing those fixtures up close they are antique, I would consider resale as an option, or use in another room.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/pro-track-globe-brass-4-light-led-plug-in-track-fixture__67k76.html

https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/64911344/resize-h445%5Ecompr-r85/1774/17749499/Vector+34%2522+4-Light+Track+Kit.jpg

They most likely aren’t antique, I had a fixture just like that style in the early ‘90s.

Sorry, but I don’t think track/task lighting looks good in these rooms at all. Besides the aesthetic of them with this style room, there are already enough straight lines going on. Just my opinion, of course, and I mean no disrespect. For function only, they would certainly work.

It’s hard to give suggestions not knowing what styles are desired, budget, if lamps will be used/or will ceiling lights be the only lighting, are matching fixtures wanted, etc.

OP, do you have any inspiration pictures? Any lights you’ve seen you like? There are so many styles and types of lighting, maybe we can narrow it down some.

For instance, if you could go to some lighting sites and show us any you and your DD like, it would be helpful.

This is an example of rustic elegance:

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/arabesque-24-inchw-english-bronze-drum-pendant-with-downlight__69m83.html

A mix of metal with soft lines and shapes. I’m not suggesting that one specifically, and in fact wouldn’t for these rooms, am just using as an example of style.

Another site I’ve ordered (several) fixtures from:

https://www.destinationlighting.com/products/chandeliers

Choosing lighting can be challenging over the internet, not seeing the spaces in person. :)

For me it's the open sightline, and the ability to use the space differently without walking into fixtures. this space for me isn't about decorative lighting its about the beams and the space itself.

From my post:

”I’m not suggesting that one specifically, and in fact wouldn’t for these rooms, am just using as an example of style.”

I wasn’t suggesting that light.

RL Relocation and Jinx, thank you both for your input. It sounds like there are two completely different styles being suggested here: track lighting versus hanging lights. Although I really liked the first hanging light suggested (black with all the candelabra bulbs), and I am not typicálly a fan of track lighting, I can see the practicality of having something mounted close to the actual beams. The coffee table at the end of the room wihôut the wood burning stove will likely remain, but the one by the wood burning stove may eventually go, making a hanging light here look out of place...

I ran cable lighting in an area where I had relatively low beams. I didn’t have room for a hanging fixture and didn’t want to see track lighting. I’ve been happy with it.

That‘s an interesting solution and it loooks great in your house! It wouldn’t work in my daughter’s house however since her house is already wired for some type of light fixture in two places and she wouldn't want holes drilled in the beams.

I think a simple drum chandelier would look great. There are loads of different types.... this is just an example. With all of the wood and brick I think simple would be a good idea.

I like the idea of simple but im wondering if any chandelier will hang too low. I vaguely recall that any fixture should have at least 7 ft of headroom (from floor to bottom of fixture). Assuming an 8’3” beam, this would mean a maximum 15” fixture.

I think the main question here is does she need ample lighting from the overhead fixture or does she want something pretty? For me personally if I want ample lighting I use lamps and if I have an overhead fixture I keep it on a dimmer. One overhead fixture when used as the sole lighting can make a space feel cold.

However, with some form of track lighting she can scatter the various bulbs so it is not just one overhead light that only provides lighting in that singular area. I hope I am making sense!

Good example of track lighting that is not dominating the room.

Florida Island House · More Info

I’m not sure how a new fixture would be more in the way than what’s there now?

ETA: I do like the way that looks, Ak! Was posting at same time. I change my mind about it after seeing that picture. :D I think you and @RL Relocation LLC nailed it! :)

@pds290 have you thought about getting MR16 with a reflector so you dont get the rainbow effect... just a thought.

aktillery9, I love the way the track lighting looks in the picture you posted! In answer to your question, I think my daughter wants both some light from the overhead lighting and for it to look good in her room. She definitely needs some lamps for reading, in addition to the ceiling lights, so they wouldn’t be the only light source. Do you think the light in your post, in bronze or aged brass, as recommended by RL Relocation, would be appropriate here?

Jinx, you are absolutely correct that a new hanging fixture wold be no more in the way than the current ones are, but the existing fixture near the wood burning stove is already somewhat in the way.

But regardless, it sounds like this most recent picture convinced you that track lighting would be a better option, and you, RL Relocation and aktillery are now all in complete agreement!

Many thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond!

I think given the darkness of the wood I would stay in that same tone so as not to make them stand out. Just my opinion. However, if they look really sleek then maybe you could go lighter.