OFUK: Lighting

Currently, our kitchen sports a reasonably nice set of matching light fixtures: a chandelier over the dining table and a downward facing open light in the kitchen area. However, they seem like they were put in by the builders...builder standard just like our cabinets. I want anything BUT builder standard for my new kitchen. I want moments of awesomeness all over my kitchen. So I am on the hunt for unique and affordable lighting.

I started at my local Lowes store, because - let's face it - they are pretty great at providing a plethora of options. Fortunately, it didn't take me long to spot a style I liked because of course within moments of arriving some undesirable smell was emanating from my squirming 1 year old and I was without a diaper bag.

These are my inspiration pieces:

Allen Roth Edison from Lowes

Allen Roth Edison Mission from Lowes

Next, I turned to the Internet to find more ideas on mixing and matching. I do not want a matching set, rather, I'm seeking pieces that enhance each other. I found this photo and loved it:

What is great about these fixtures is how harmoniously they work together even though they aren't technically the same style. They have a couple common elements that allow them to play off one another. First, they are all round in some manner. Second, they all have a black element, either the metal or woven into the fabric. And third, their sizes vary, so none seem to dominate the other. (This picture comes from: http://www.bobvila.com/light-and-style/27591-trending-now-pendant-lighting/slideshows)

From here I have spent countless spare moments searching and pinning possibilities until I kept going back to the same fixtures. Unfortunately, the one I REALLY wanted for above my dining table won't work because it is a flush mount and my ceiling is at an angle...all the pendants would bang against each other in an unpleasant way.

 I adore the charm of mason jars. Sadly, this chandelier needs to be mounted flush with the ceiling.

My search brought me to West Elm (need I say more). I discovered these gorgeous organic blown glass pendants. PERFECT! This has that cage appearance with the simple elegance of clear glass. Beautiful but understated.

 This is another fixture from West Elm that reminded me of my inspiration picture. Again, the simplicity lends it elegance. I could see this over my table and the blown glass in my kitchen.

 Although I liked the previous pairing, I still like to see all my options. I came across this fixture at Pottery Barn. This cluster would allow me to have the mason jar look but it would still hang crookedly.

Finally, this beauty popped up on my screen (inmod) and I knew I was in love. The woven wood would play up the baskets I have in my open shelving and provide the warmth only wood can provide...which will soon be lacking once I paint all my molding. However, it is a statement piece. Having it over my dining table would mean that the light in my kitchen needs to be more simple, meaning no organic blown glass in the kitchen (maybe in a different room).

Instead, I will go with the simple yet charming Edison pendant from Lowes.





These are my current fixtures. They are nice, but they don't really fit our style or my vision of my dream kitchen. The new fixtures will be quite the upgrade! I can't wait to get them installed!