So I hate pot lights.
Much like my hatred of fingerless gloves there's really no explanation for it. I just do.
It should therefore not surprise you that I am getting pot lights.
I have to. The kitchen is incredibly dark and the only light in it is supplied from a single light hanging over my countertop. A crystal chandelier.
Because of the diminutive size of my kitchen, I don't feel like I can have pendant lights hanging everywhere which leaves me with ceiling huggers or pot lights.
I went with fingerless gloves. I mean pot lights.
I love my old chandelier, but if I'm redoing my kitchen I want to redo my kitchen. So the chandelier is coming down and will be relocated somewhere else. Also, a crystal chandelier isn't the most appropriate lighting choice for a kitchen that's constantly being cooked in. I bet if I scraped my chandelier at this very moment I'd have enough grease on it to whip up a batch of corn fritters. At the very least I could keep a small McDonalds franchise running for about for a week and a half.
Which means I get to pick out one single pendant light to replace the chandelier that's coming down. I, of course, have a budget. But since I'm only getting one light and am not deducting the cost of pot lights from my budget because I don't really want them and they aren't considered satisfying ... I can splurge a tiny little bit on my pendant light.
I started off my search on the Home Depot website because I figured it would be the cheapest. Shockingly it had a lot of great options. Sorry Home Depot ... don't mean to be insulting. But this is the era of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. Sometimes it takes a bit of reminding that you can get similar looks from big box stores.
Granted, I also found some great stuff from places like West Elm, Crate & Barrel and School House Electric.
Behold my favourites ...
4. Polished brass and White Glass globe
9. Oil Rubbed Bronze with gold interior
Last night I ordered one of those lights. If you guessed choice # 8, you're wrong.
I ordered the Hammered Brass Pendant from Crate & Barrel. The round one.
If I could have afforded it I would have ordered this entire cluster. But I couldn't. The cost of the single pendant lamp to be shipped from Crate & Barrel in the States was $300. That includes something called "Border Free" shipping, which means there aren't any surprises. The duty, taxes, shipping etc. are all included in the cost. So you aren't sitting in your little Canadian house wondering how badly you're going to get randomly screwed when what you ordered shows up. I'm talking to you "Broker Fees".
I love this light. And clearly if I ever lose interest in it in the kitchen, it also looks good in a living room. A Crate & Barrel living room anyway.
Part of the reason I went with this particular light is because, (even though I haven't told you this yet) the look I'm going for in my kitchen is a sort of modern Scandinavian Farmhouse. I may have made that term up. Basically a lot of white and natural wood. There will be a mix of clean, modern pieces and rustic pine. The rustic I have covered. So for my lighting I knew even thought I love the barn lights, I needed something more clean and modern to create the look I was going for.
That's my first little design lesson by the way. Being open to options is important but so is staying true to your original vision. So if you can't decide on what to buy when you love a few different things, ask yourself what works best with your original vision.
Unless your original vision involves pot lights and fingerless gloves. Then it's time to rethink your vision.
Marie
I'm just glad you didn't pick #2 - it looks like something you could make (I couldn't make one, but YOU could). Your choice has an understated elegance and I think it's perfect.
Mindy
Picking out the three pendant lights for our kitchen redo was one of the top three hardest decisions to make. I was loving all the clear glass globes out there, and pinned about 900 versions of them. And the copper ones. And the enamel ones. And the metal ones made out of A, B, and C that you can find on Etsy. I also love the farmhouse lights. In fact, I have a silver one in the center of the kitchen that will stay because I love it. But I needed one for over the sink and two for over the peninsula. Holy crap, when did lights get so friggin' expensive?!?! I couldn't find anything for less than $100. And I needed three. I kept having guilt over spending that on lighting when I could save it and spread it out over several things.
Then we ran into IKEA over the weekend for a couple knobs that we were short. And then I saw them. My lights. And guess what? Those mother effers were on super sale for $19.99. WHAT?! Three lights for less than the price of one of the others I was looking at. SOLD! I found a picture of them installed in a restaurant and pinned it here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/243335186090259922/
Here it is again (the small version of the Hektar): http://www.pinterest.com/rindymae/lighting/
Awesome, no? Now would you hurry up and finish that dang thing so I can see some pictures! :)
Karen
Great light Mindy! My dining room "chandelier" is a $10 Ikea paper lantern, LOL. Works as a great statement piece until I can afford the George Nelson I *really* want. Hell, I'd settle for a Nelson copy even. :) ~ karen!
NikiDee
Easy to clean and a perfect fit! Multi-tasking at it's best. The kitchen is going to blend perfectly with your living room décor (wow...I feel like a voyeur). It's fun to be involved in a renovation where I don't have to deal with the dust...or upside down filming ;)
Kelli
YAY! That was my first choice, followed by #9...great minds! I think no matter where you place it in your house Karen, it will look lovely...you have a knack after all. :)
BTW fingerless gloves--er, pot lights--have come a long way. They're not the big ugly things they used to be, there are now many smaller, more "sparkly" types to be had, including LED type, where you'll probably never have to change a bulb! Like the old commercial used to say: try it, you'll like it. :)
Brie
See, I really thought you would go with the green barn light. I was going to try to be a kitchen renovation hero, and inform you that I have one that I removed from an ancient barn on our property a year ago. It's 17 inches across.... It's yours if you want it. The thing is in darn good condition too. I could send pictures if you ever decided you wanted it for something. It's just sitting in a corner, waiting for a home here.
Marlene
As soon as I saw the pictures and I saw #3 my first thought was "that's so Karen", so I was pleasantly surprised finding out that's the one you chose.
Laura Bee
You read my mind like one of those pick a number games...I love #8. I found a beautiful turquoise light at a flea market for $10. Hubby never liked it & it never went up :(
Cindy
I like your selection. I really like #9 if it comes in white. I agree completely about the pot lights. They are a necessary evil. I have six in my kitchen, two pendant lights, and under-cabinet lights (that aren't working right now), and I still don't think there's enough light to suit me when I'm cooking. I can't wait to see your finished kitchen.
paula
love your choice! i totally picked that one for you. it's going to look amazing!
Melissa Leach
I'm enjoying your kitchen reno. No dust and no stress at my end. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see what you choose for a kitchen sink.
Janet
I'm so glad you decided NOT to go with the barn light. It reminds me too much of ... well, barn lights. I can imagine you'd have to invite the chickens into your brand new kitchen if you installed that light. They'd have expected an open invitation.
Anyway, I like your choice.
Reg
Nice choice. It looks like it will be easier to keep degreased. And that made me look up at my light fixture. Yikes! Off to get the vinegar and rags.
Sandy
Love the light! Can't wait to see the kitchen once it's finished. I know it is going to be beautiful.
Beckie
#8 was my pick too
Jamie H.
The only thing I worry about with this light is that it isn't going to give off light anywhere but straight down - the hammered brass not being transparent. Hopefully the can lights will make up for this.
Ann
I had #8 picked also. Cause having 2 lights in one would have given you more lumens. But I trust you Karen and I am sure this kitchen will be so drool worthy in the end.
karen
Soooo glad you didn't go with #4. I'm pretty sure that hung in our bathroom in 1971!!
"Broker fees"...hmmmmm, seems like I'm familiar with those.
Lauren
Modern Scandanavian isn't unheard of (skip to 6:18 if ya want):
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/video/0,,20636049,00.html
Karen
No, I realize that Lauren. It's the addition of "farmhouse" to the term. :) ~ karen
Maryanne
Fingerless gloves are a fashion statement. Just like wearing a ring on your thumb.
Some like, some don't...I love both and love your choice in lighting.
Boobie lights are worse. You know those lights almost every hallway has.
I think I will get rid of my Boobie light today!
Valerie
Kitchens are curious rooms.
During cooking and food preparation one requires excellent lighting. If you utilize your kitchen table as a conversation area with friends bright and excellent lighting can become an interrupting glare. In the evening and night time when everything is tidied up and one wander's in for snacks and such it is romantic and lovely to view illumination originating from two or three perfectly chosen small lamps. So my suggestion to add to what will be I am sure a reinforcement of your choice would be to select two or three co ordinating lamps. If you think this idea has merit you may want at this preparation point to have outlets placed in what may be considered to be from an electrician's standpoint, rather unusual locations.