Pendant lighting for kitchen counters
Yesterday I mused on the use of balance-arm style lamps in the kitchen:
House Beautiful
The dominant reaction to the trend was a resounding “hmmm”. So I wonder how you feel about this alternative – industrial style pendant lights over the counters? (Click photos for links).
These are industrial and retro - they balance the austerity of this simple kitchen by Plain English so nicely:
A Plain English kitchen in Scotland
This Danish kitchen takes the utilitarian look to extremes. I’ve always been a sucker for a distressed wall with bare plaster showing through – it’s definitely “a look”, though probably not one we’re going to see in many family kitchens in the US:
Stripped down and industrial - Danish style by Det Mondaene Skur
They really seem to like those white tiles, don’t they – even in a more comfortable (though rather dark) looking kitchen:
And again in black by Det Mondaene Skur
The balance-arm lamps have the advantage of being adjustable – with these hanging pendants you just have to work where the light falls. And it must be very easy to find yourself working in your own shadow. At least with the industrial style, the pool of light is quite large. That would not be the case with these little black pendants – I wonder how well-lit the room is without the photographer’s flash? (via My Scandinavian Retreat – a great blog for real life Scandinavian style)
Light and shadows in black and white
In this kitchen, two little pendants bring light directly to the counters either side of the range:
Lighting a dark corner - designer Kristen Buckingham
These little birds perched below the pendants are so sweet - but I wonder what sort of shadows they cast?
Contemporary Kitchen in a London Georgian via Light Locations
Well, “handsome is as handsome does”, as my grandmother used to say. The little pendant lights are fun to look at, but without more layers of light to even things out, some of these kitchens look as if they would be a nightmare to work in. A lighting plan that is beautiful, functional, and compliant with local codes is just one more of the many things a professional kitchen designer can help you with. We like you to have your pretty lights, and see them too.
In the bleak Mid-Winter
A white and gray kitchen - bringing the outside in
Some amazing kitchen backsplashes
Paul Anater
January 27th, 2010 at 7:08 am #
That Plain English kitchen vignette is about perfect. Wow!
Clarity
January 27th, 2010 at 10:42 pm #
Hi Paul – never mind the kitchens, they always have the most awesome photographs!
KansasKate
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 am #
Love the lights in the Plain English photo.
My favorite kitchen light is the “rise & fall” style pendant w/ the counter-weight and pulley system like this beautiful French one from Marston & Langinger. Less expensive versions have been sold by Pottery Barn & Restoration Hardware. Besides having a look I love, they’re a great solution for us, as my husband is 2m tall while I’m only 1.6m.
Clarity
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:54 pm #
Hi Kate – yes, I know the ones you mean – lovely and practical at the same time