Candidates for Kitchen Pendants
I want to replace the two pendant lights over the kitchen island as part of my lighting overhaul and I think I’ve narrowed down the choices to two styles.
First is something classic but industrial like these:
The second option (and on the complete other side of the spectrum of course), something frilly and fancy like these:
and these from the kitchen I’ve posted before:
I like these two styles because I need to go with a style that I can carry on into all the areas that the kitchen opens onto: the the eat-in area, the family room and the wet bar. (All these spaces need lighting too!)
In either case, they will be white because I think that’s what would look best with the colors of the cabinets, counters, and furniture, etc. We’re far from a decision but at least we’re getting closer, right?
(Photos: 1-2.via Head over Heels 3.Design Sponge 4-5.Domino 6.House & Garden)
Ok, let me get my vote in. For a kitchen, the industrial look. I love that third photo with its hint of farmhouse kitchen, though I think you may be going for a more sophisticated look? I've cheated in my kitchen with two styles of light – a large chalky pink industrial-look pendant over the island, and then a not frilly but more classical old gold chandelier light over the dining area for softer light. Very mixed, but they make me happy.
Then again, you'd probably carry frilly off beautifully.
.-= mise´s last post ..the Cath Kidston spell =-.
Hmmm my take…Industrial is what you see more now (more expected) I love it…the other is a bit unexpected…particularly in the white.(Which I also love… anything unexpected)
BUT reminds me a bit of what you took down…BUT if you went in that direction…you could have that one painted white and use again.
Helpful, eh?
.-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last post ..Kitchen Love… =-.
My two cents, for over the island in the kitchen u would go with the more simple, industrial pictured in the first image. But then mix it up over the eat-in area with a more frilly c
chandalier. That way you have the best of both worlds, simple and functional task lighting in the cooking area and something beautiful to cast your gaze upon as you enjoy your morning cup at the table. Plus, I think the more frilly look would be an especially nice counterpoint to the sleek, modern lines of your table and chairs. If it were me, this is also where I would put a splash of bold color. Like a light blue murano, or maybe even something yellow, or orange. Whatever you choose, I'm certain it will be beautiful!
.-= nkp´s last post ..Not so neutral neutrals. =-.
Oopsy, that should be "I would go with…"
.-= nkp´s last post ..Not so neutral neutrals. =-.
We have an open plan as well, and went with large glass industrial type fixtures over the island, but then a more conservative wrought iron fixture over the dining area…which I am currently fixated on changing up at the moment. Good luck with your decision, all choices are fab. And, loving the shiny silver stool in that last photo!
.-= The Zhush´s last post ..Catherine Zeta Jones Loves Scrunchies…. =-.
Predictable and consistent as ever, I vote industrial!
.-= Jane Flanagan´s last post ..Verrier Spring 2010 =-.
I prefer the first option. I like the second too, but I think it's more of an accept piece, and it looks better when there's just one. The "industrial" ones however will look nice repeated in several areas, especially in white.
.-= Elisa´s last post ..Outfit of the Week: WWAW? (What Would Alice Wear?) =-.
Haha, I shouldn't have been surprised, but those are quite a contrast with one another.
I'm sure either would look great, but I really prefer the industrial chic option!
I'd go with the fancy look. You had a kind of chandelier in the living room, why don't you try and see how it looks in the kitchen!
Love both those choices!!! I kindof lean toward the later if you have a more contemporary setting – furniture, etc…because I like the mix of those – and the white instantly modernizes it! I had a similar fixture in my dining area except it was SHINY BRASS, yuck! So I painted it glossy white and it looked amazing! Can't wait to see what you pick!
.-= Donna´s last post ..Happy Anniversary… =-.
ooo I love them both, but as my mother would say, "how will you keep that fancy thing clean in the kitchen?"
of course if you have someone to do it for you, then by all means…
.-= Appletree´s last post ..Do we like this chair? =-.
i agree with nelya. for one i see that your kitchen is traditional for the most part..well from what i have seen anyway. and i am always in support of toughening up a traditional room with industrial and modern finishes. i can't stand to see one style and one style only in a room. yuck!
but i think if you do have a separate eating area in the kitchen i would go with the frillier chandelier there and then for the proper dining room maybe find a fixture that marries both styles.
.-= my favorite and my best´s last post ..le sigh =-.
I vote industrial – but it sounds like there is enough space in your kitchen that you could have both, one kind in each area – with white tying them together.
Fun stuff!
xoxo,
-maria
.-= vintage simple´s last post ..Psssst…! =-.
One of my favorite kitchens I ever featured was a sleek modern room with gorgeous traditional chandeliers – http://www.thedesignfile.net/thedesignfile/2009/0….
I love it! I'd try the traditional chandelier.
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last post ..Home tour: The Manning home in New Orleans =-.
I guess I missed the pictures of your kitchen. Do you have high ceilings? If so I'd do the chandelier, if not, industrial all the way.
.-= Naomi@thirteenandsouth´s last post ..well-designed. modern lines. original. affordable. fresh. interesting. natural materials. organic shapes. =-.
Here's one vote for the first ones/the industrial look – it kicks up the traditional feel. Just discovered that you are a gray fan -(Yes!) – looking forward to keeping up with your choices.
.-= A Perfect Gray´s last post ..The Gray Bath =-.
I really like both choices. But I think I'd lean more towards to white chandy. It's more unexpected and I think kitchens with their hardlined cabinets and industrial looking appliances need a "touch of pretty".
Ask me next week and I might've changed my mind!
This is just coming from an ex kitchen designer who doesn't know too much anymore!
.-= Ms. Bright´s last post ..Weekend Wishes =-.
Me thinks industrial might tie in with the more modern pieces from your last house? It seems more transition friendly from the modern to the traditional..but I also agree with the others that over the dining area, which is quite modern feeling…you could splash it up with some fancy trad piece. I also agree that if you go super fancy chandelier…you'll make it awesome anyway.
I would definitely go for the industrial look. Love the eclectic vibe.
Kitchens for me need to be bright, have a good source of light.
If I may, I suggest this one:
- <a href="http://217.169.111.182/decorative/ProductList.aspx?lang=en&iid=flaf6105000&op=&tspv=&sv=&spv=FlaSuspension%7cFlaRomeo+Moon_lineS&tspn=&recid=&ua=Navigation&DefaultLang=en&tspo=&searchby=&fsi=&rm=0&sExp=&spo=isequal%7cisequal&sb=*&spn=Product_group%7cProduct_line&FromCubo=&lop=0&hlv=&selitms=&tov=List&pat=Parametric&Site=international&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2 fwww.flos.it%2f” target=”_blank”>http://217.169.111.182/decorative/ProductList.asp…” target=”_blank”>fwww.flos.it%2f
And there’s another one I really love, but it focus the light down as well
- <a href="http://217.169.111.182/decorative/ProductList.aspx?lang=en&iid=flaf6410044&op=&tspv=&sv=&spv=FlaSuspension%7cFlaSkygardenDL&tspn=&recid=&ua=Navigation&DefaultLang=en&tspo=&searchby=&fsi=&rm=0&sExp=&spo=isequal%7cisequal&sb=*&spn=Product_group%7cProduct_line&FromCubo=&lop=0&hlv=&selitms=&tov=List&pat=Parametric&Site=international&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2 fwww.flos.it%2f” target=”_blank”>http://217.169.111.182/decorative/ProductList.asp…” target=”_blank”>fwww.flos.it%2f
Both keep the industrial look, with a contemporary touch.
.-= Space by Eliana Tomas´s last post ..John Maeda @ The V&A Talking About Creative Leadership – Values Based in Art + Design. =-.
OK, I'm in the industrial look camp. I really like that style – I might even go more industrial (just to contrast with the elegant, traditionalism of your southern home). Of course, whatever you do, I"m confident it will look gorgeous.
.-= K-Line´s last post ..Something Tells Me WendyB Could Pull This Off =-.
If it were me, I’d be going for the industrial look. I love the one in your first picture but, as Mise said, you could use both, as long as the chandelier isn’t too frilly. I know that you will choose just the right one. XXXX
.-= Jacqueline´s last post ..A MASSIVE THANK YOU ………. =-.
WOW!!! Thanks for all the feedback, guys! It's so helpful to hear your thoughts!
It's funny how well you seem to know my taste.
I'm all for mixing styles so just as nkp and MFAMB said, I was thinking of doing one style over the island and a different one in the eat-in area – but all in white and/or clear so it would tie together!
nkp: You read my mind!
Eliana: I love that first light so much!
If you decide to go with the chandelier option you can always paint the light fitting you removed white, take the little shades off and replace the bulbs? I.e like the last picture.
If you do go industrial, Second Use has a supply of salvaged green industrial light fixtures right now – I think they came out of a school. See http://www.seconduse.com/catalog/electrical?page=…
I would go w. "less busy" lights over the counter (there is so much going on in a kitchen anyway. Wait to all the pots and pans are out!) and go more decorative over the dining table. Knowing you – it is going to come together beautifully. Happy weekend, Ally! Mon
I'm with everyone on this one; industrial. The first and second photos are my favorite. I'd kill to have a fireplace in my kitchen. I agree with you Ally that they should be white. It will go with the grey of the cabinets.
It's so much fun seeing every step you take in creating your new home!
.-= Caitlin @ Sacramento Street´s last post ..A Gorgeous Duo =-.
I love the industrial ones. Have you ever checked out these from Marston & Langinger? Kinda similar but a bit fancier.
http://www.marstonstore.com/marslang/ProductDetai…
http://www.marstonstore.com/marslang/productlist….
.-= katy elliott´s last post ..Farmer’s Diner & Antique Mall =-.
yes, you are definitely closer b/c you've narrowed it down to two different styles, which is huge! i like them both for different reasons. i'm leaning towards the first options though…
.-= Down and Out Chic´s last post ..Giveaway: Custom Portrait by Paper Thin =-.
Gini GL: I wish they had photos! I would love to see what those look like.
katy elliott: How funny – the "Rise and Fall" ones are kind of like what's currently over the island. They're on a pulley system like those. One of my other thoughts was to paint them (they're brown now) and swap out the shades (which are glass) and this makes me think that could look good too. I also really love the simple round nickel one.
Industrial all the way! Can't wait to see the finished kitchen…
I think I'm going with the industrial ones…I've always liked that look in a kitchen. You could even check out some vintage industrial lights…they have some beautiful ones out there. The chandelier style is fun…but then I just think about the extra work having to clean it
!
.-= Piper´s last post ..{shake it up 2010 – week 5 scoop} =-.
I vote industrial!
For purely practical reasons, industrial would be easier to clean in a kitchen. We did funky danish mod in our kitchen which looks great, but a pain to clean.
.-= Brismod´s last post ..Spiky statement – dracaenas and agaves =-.
I vote for a clean, industrial look as well. Timeless.
xo,
cristin
.-= cristin @ simplified bee´s last post ..Friday Find: Whimsical Elephant Bookends =-.
Definitely the industrial look Ally! I have 3 of these old pendants in my garage now, just awaiting the kitchen to put them in. I'm going to re-powdercoat mine grey.
.-= Amanda´s last post ..What is this? =-.
hmmmm, hard decision. I like both too, #2 and #5 to be exact.
.-= Melissa A.´s last post ..No Rain On My Parade! =-.
Yes, me too! I love the industrial look here. Especially, the black.
Something frilly is expected in a southern home (I know, I'm originally from Kentucky.)
The modern industrial will be totally out of the box in Atlanta!
Great idea, Ally!
.-= Hilary´s last post ..Cozying Up the Walls =-.
i vote more industrial… and a thought – if you go for more industrial but in, say… brass, then you could easily mix with a chandelier in brass too! the metals would tie them together nicely
it's been far too long since i've been over here! just catching up!
.-= cassandra @ coco+kelley´s last post ..HAPPY (SMOOCHES) WEEKEND!!! =-.
I say – go with no. 1 – those industrial black pendants are so incredibly versatile – classic and strong but can blend into so many related looks, you just can't go wrong.. ox AJ
as always, fabulous, inspiring shots. Love that deep kitchen sink as well!
I'm in the "industrial" camp. I like the clean lines and the eclectic look.
If it was up to me, I would also go for the industrial look. I would go with a white color to make the rest blend in well. Cheers!
I usually drawn to the chandelier type, but I'm thinking the other in this case. They are so cool and clean.
.-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Monday Meal Plan =-.
Wow. I am totally impressed by a number of things here…
First, your adorable blog layout – clean, easy to read. I am also so totally into the fact that you are so thorough in all of the choices you are making. I love it. And I will be back.
As for my vote – go industrial. Leaves you for more options elsewhere. And I also am of the camp that chandeliers in the kitchen give you a date stamp (circa 2005-09 ish) though admittedly, they are still the best solution for some kitchens!
Totally enjoy your blog! Marija
This is the second time in a month I've seen Gwyneth Paltrow's kitchen (your bottom photo) in a blog post. That girl is just too perfect, but I can't hate her because she has such great taste — and it's so inspirational! Thanks for sharing.
.-= DC by Design´s last post ..Middle Kingdom’s Alison and Bo Jia: Museum Quality =-.
Yes! Getting closer indeed! I like that you decided to go with white, I think that would work lovely. The pendants in my kitchen are white and I just love them! Good luck with your final decisions.
.-= Chris´s last post ..Discount Tire Stores =-.
Sorry for the delay in responding but I really love the first set…industrial look.
http://annaelizabethpoole.blogspot.com/
.-= Anna´s last post ..Liberty of London =-.