What about this for a light fixture? At least I assume it’s light fixture, since it doesn’t look as if it would be particularly practical for hanging pots, or even laundry, on.
A right royal focal point
It certainly makes for a striking centerpiece – though it would probably be even more effective actually centered over the table …
And no less than six Windsor chairs – what luxury. Even one big armchair is such a wonderful thing to have in a kitchen. This kitchen table certainly looks like a good spot to linger, doesn’t it?
A single wall sconce in the kitchen can be a charming way to add a little pizazz, light a dark corner, not to mention creating a little asymmetrical balance, whether it is a traditional touch:
via Cote Maison "Visite Privee"
or a contemporary accent, like this diminutive member of Artemide’s Tolomeo family.
One sconce - via Plain English
OK, I admit, the one above might well be half of a pair, simply not shown in the photograph. Pairs of sconces are great too – take these two, lighting the counter and providing a little accent at the same time in this calm contemporary space:
by From the Desk of Lola via Remodelista
Or these, perfectly framing the hood in this delightfully fresh kitchen by Cheryl Kees Clendenon of Kitchen Details and Design:
Perfectly framed - Kitchen Details and Design
Or how about pairs of pairs of sconces – they are quite a feature in this grand kitchen. With no down-lights at all in the ceiling, they must be very necessary. In fact, it’s hard to imagine the lighting is anywhere near adequate in this space, unless there’s something I can’t see?
Grand, and shadowy? (photo Woodmode)
So let’s not limit accent lighting to a chandelier over the island, or some pretty pendants over the peninsula. I’m definitely in favor of liberating decorative wall sconces from your powder rooms, and making space for them in the kitchen. Let’s just make sure they’re not the only lighting for your workspace.
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.
What do you think about this kitchen lighting trend? I’ve been seeing balance-arm style lamps, especially Artemide’s Tolomeo, on kitchen walls everywhere.
This London kitchen is one of my favorites, and the single Tolomeo lamp on the pillar seems a practical and stylish way to light the island. I give this one a thumbs up:
photo Daniel Farmer
But in this cottage kitchen featured in a previous post, I’m not so happy. Surely this row of mini Tolomeos would be, well, right in your face? And why clutter up your backsplash tile with all those cords?
Cotswold Cottage, Light Locations via Remodelista
A different style of lamp in this Swedish kitchen, via Skona Hem. Practical, I’m sure – they do look as if they are ready to lend a hand with the cooking, don’t they?
photo Skona Hem via Desire to Inspire
This trend is not limited to Europe – here is a shiny balance-arm lamp in Brooklyn. Hmm, again, too close to face-height for my liking:
As our kitchens here in the US tend to have shelves or cabinets above the counters, it’s usually easy and practical to hide some task lighting underneath them. For me, this a trend that makes sense with open walls and a high ceiling – as in this kitchen in the Lebanon (via) - an efficient way to put light where you want it. and make a statement with your choice of fixture at the same time.
Lighting in Lebanon
I can’t help anthropomorphizing (oh, yes, definitely the longest word I have ever used in a blog post) them though, and I blame Pixar for that:
Is there any limit to what a great photograph can do? In this kitchen even the dirty dishes in the sink look fabulous.
photo Vercruysse Frederik via OWI
Then there’s the single bare light-bulb over the table, and a painting on the outside of the cabinet door. This apartment is clearly the home of someone so stylish, they don’t even have to try (or clean up before a photo shoot).
photo Vercruysse Frederik, OWI
As an experiment, I’ve (rather inexpertly) edited the painting out – see how vital it was to the composition? An object lesson in asymmetric balance. And the importance of styling?
photo Vercruysse Frederik edited by Clarity (with apologies)
Check out OWI for more riveting photos by Vercruysse Frederik.
This Copper Shade light by Tom Dixon just seems to be popping up in every kitchen I look at this last couple of weeks. First, and most unexpectedly, in this Swedish Arts & Crafts Villa:
Almost Traditional Kitchen
I can understand the attraction – it is contemporary, it’s retro, it’s warm, and with its reflective surface it’s as good as a mirror at bouncing light around and making the space seem bigger and lighter.
via Living etc.
photo Patric Johansson
via mydeco.com
via Living etc.
The Copper Shade is actually polycarbonate with a microns thick coating of real copper. You can buy it here in the US for a smidge under $500. I think it works really well as an accent and a focal point – one is brilliant, but perhaps three is a little overpowering?
Brizo Day
White done right
Kitchen in a Converted church