Help with Mid-Century Foyer lighting

last year

We have a large mid-century house that was built in 1961. It still has many original details with some unfortunate 80’s-esque updates made.

We’d like to lean into the mid-century aesthetic and the foyer light is a big part of it. The entire front of our house from above the door, across the living room and into the dining room is windows so this light is going to be/should be seen.

We’re thinking geometric or straight lines in a pendant would be best for the space and our prefernce.

Any advice on size, orientation and height would be great. The ceiling is slightly angled.

Comments (6)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Only drop it down as low as the center of that window above the door.

I would consider adding something with some round shape since everything in this space already has straight lines.

Also bc it is the main light for the entry and what looks like to the lower stairwell as well, you will want something that gets the light down to that level of the steps. Is it dark now on the lower level with that light on?

I would avoid using the overplayed "midmod" lights on the market right now and look for something more authentic if you are keeping most of the esthetic I see here.

They actually used a lot of round shapes, something to consider.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Irregular-Stone-Shaped-Lampshade-Adjustable/dp/B09KY2L8NP?th=1
Related Discussions
mid century mod outdoor lighting-input needed!!
Q
Comments (31)
Thanks, Lee and Erin! The doorknob is from Rejuvenation. You can find vintage ones on Ebay, but I took the easy way out and bought new. Once we got in on, I also had to buy the matching adorable starburst doorbell. How could I resist?! We replaced the door and it was really funny when I was getting quotes. Salespeople kept showing me the fancy doors with leaded glass and sidelights, carvings, etc., and I kept having to explain that no, all I want is a plain, flat door. Nothing fancy, nothing interesting. And no upgraded glass on the sidelights - just plain, flat panes of glass. I got some weird looks! Here is a link that might be useful: Titan Door Set from Rejuvenation
...See More
Mid Century Kitchen - Floors + Cabinet Color help
Q
Comments (19)
I love the metal work (had to show it to my spouse and he thinks it is absolutely great too). We have always been MCM fans and there was a time in life I had to explain the concept to people and they looked at me like I was crazy for liking such an outdated style, but thanks to Mad Men it came back full force. I struggle with its rise in popularity again as I felt a bit happy keeping the secret to myself! But thank goodness people have stopped tearing out the wonderful touches from that era. I wonder what the original kitchen of this home looked like? This is just the type of home I wanted but could not find -- five years ago we moved back to Michigan and had to find a home very, very quickly so all the good homes like this were snatched up or simply too expensive. Back to the metal work, I do think that the oak trim around it is mucking it up a bit and taking away from the clean lines of the foyer. I think it remaining in the foyer is the best place for it. I really think the flagstone is also pretty but agree with others that too many flooring types might be bad. Have you considered running a slate-like tile or a gray throughout the kitchen and foyer for consistency rather than adding hardwoods? We just had our foyer entry and back entrance tiled in a slate-like tile from Daltile in a dark charcoal color in a hopscotch pattern. It is a nod to MCM.
...See More
Help me make a mid century mid century modern
Q
Comments (13)
Read the Housetweaking blog from early 2011 through 2016/2017 or so. Dana and her husband bought an old, ugly midcentury and DIYed it into a really cool space - keeping the midcentury vibe but not being 100 percent married to it and doing it on a budget. They've moved on to a different house but all the old posts are still on the site. https://www.housetweaking.com/current-house/
...See More
Help with EXTERIOR design of Mid-Century Modern home
Q
Comments (147)
@Indecisiveness there will be windows lower in the bedrooms on each wing . We have one side that will open to a courtyard. so this won’t be in any comparison to a basement- that’s for sure. im Sure that was a fun experience! Basement living And a father who did it all himself. That was my life too (minus the basement). My dad would buy and sale quite a lot and we lived in many unfinished homes . He loves those fixer uppers and living in them until they sold. 😂 @Mark Bischak i do understand the garage statement . But having it away from the home gave us more space inside and more light. Would be open to any suggestions for sure. @ourfarmhouse- yes this home has very tall ceilings . Always wanted a two story feel in a one story home. The living room will have metal beams and lined with a light colored wood. The fire place will have a whole wall of rough white brick . @ourfarmhouse at the front of your renderimags- to the left of the orange door. What would this be? Kind of curious. I have already printed them out and wasn’t sure. as for the garage. It just wouldn’t fit pulled into the house now that we’ve added a mud room . so you like that flat roof wirh breeze way. Or do you see a different design maybe with some pitch to it? thanks again for your time (and everyone else’s)
...See More
Lisa Rogers
last year
Sorry, posted originally under a different account apparently!

The current light has burnt out bulbs so we haven’t had a chance to see how much light reaches the basement below from it but I’ll haul out the ladder to change them to get a better idea/picture. The good news is the stairs are “open” like in the picture you shared so we know ambient light gets down to the basement below with the large window beside the door.
Lisa Rogers
last year
This is one of the options I was considering (mainly because it’s available locally and not crazy in price) but I’m wondering about what orientation it should go and if the pendants should be parallel or offset for height.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
+ I like the direction

- I think it will look like a kitchen island light in your stairwell.

Also open bulbs like that would need to be bright enough but at the same time might blind people white glass globe would be better, even a single large globe pendant.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Mid-Century Modern Getaway

By Vanessa Brunner

Charles DeLisle Transforms a William Wurster Ranch into a Dream Home for Today

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS A Mid-Century Style Home Provides Comfortable Minimalism

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Case Study: This Lake Tahoe Escape is a Work of Art On Its Own

Full Story

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Redo Shines Light on 19th-Century Newport Beauty

By Mary Jo Bowling

The renovated Rhode Island home boasts gorgeous woodwork, an appealing wraparound porch and a newly spacious kitchen

Full Story

258

TRADITIONAL HOMES My Houzz: A Centuries-Old French Estate Charms Again

By Holly Marder

Time and local artisans help a couple realize an idyllic French country retreat — and you can rent it

Full Story

GRAY Designers Share Their Favorite Light Gray Paints

By Becky Harris

These versatile neutrals can help create a range of moods in any room

Full Story

447

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD My Houzz: Calm Prevails in a Light-Filled Sydney Apartment

By Emily Hutchinson

An up-and-coming designer brings his dated apartment into the 21st century and creates a welcoming home base

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Light Wood Accents That'll Grow on You

By Emily Fazio

Ditch the darkness with modern accessories and furniture in ash, birch and light oak

Full Story

Sixties Southern Style: Inspiration from 'The Help'

By Becky Harris

Oscar-nominated movie's sets include formal entertaining spaces, front porch breezes and lots of florals

Full Story

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: A 1960s House Gets an Update for 21st-Century Living

By Lara Sargent

Plywood storage units add modern-day convenience, while retro colors and laminates stay true to the home’s era

Full Story

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: 18th-Century Irish Coach House Gets a Glass Lining

By Sarah Warwick

A see-through wall lets the owners celebrate original architecture while enjoying their new gym and guest quarters

Full Story

Help with Mid-Century Foyer lighting

Comments (6)

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

Related Discussions

Lisa Rogers

Lisa Rogers

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US