Jeana - You're right: something edgier appeals to me, but I don't want to ruin the old style of the house. And my husband is a bit more conservative than I when it comes to how much overt decoration he can tolerate. So I'm pretty sure he will veto the HD pendant. I'll post some pix of the various rooms, but they are not very good - just quick snaps from when he had the home inspection. Previous owners' furniture and artwork. We now have our own furnishings but it's not too put-together, so I haven't bothered with new photos. But this will give you the general look of the trim and shutters. office/sewing room to be daughter's bedroom master bedroom - may eventually become a sitting room guest room - will eventually be expanded and turned into master BR Here's another pendant I like (NOT RH, but similar and a lot cheaper because it's on craigslist right now).It can be shortened to use just a 6" rod so it would install more like a semi-flushmount fixture that just hangs down more than normal. Maybe I'm just hopelessly drawn to shiny objects! Perhaps I could start with one of this style in my office, which others rarely have to even see :) I'm definitely open to suggestions, guys. If I were to go more traditional, do you think the schoolhouse style (flushmount) would look good, or should I go for something a little less stolid and more victorian in style?

I like them all, but not number 2, but maybe that one will work for your taste- it's just not mine. I really like 3 and 4 (the one your husband likes).

The chain should hold the weight of the fixture, not the cord.

If I understood your schematic drawing correctly, you want to hang the lamps above the window, am I right? I think one bulb would be enough. What about alternatives to regular and led bulbs? Have you thought about that? The thing is, I recently bought an energy conserving flag pole light. I really liked the effect they added to the flag and I bought similar bulbs for a couple of rooms in my apartment. They work from sunlight, so it`s important to have them installed on the sunny side. I'm happy with the product as it didn't have the same harsh lighting as led lamps and I got to save a little money =) Of course, it's not a full-fledged solar panel, but it's eco-friendly as well.