Lighting in a home can be just as Beautiful as it is Functional. But, with all the options to choose from it is hard to know where to begin. I always like to start with the style of the home. Placing a modern fixture in a traditional house will look out of place and vice versa. In this post, I will show you lighting in four homes with very different styles.
1. Highover Traditional
A formal dining room is a perfect place for an elegant light fixture. In my Highover home the dining room had a stunning crystal chandelier that reflected in the mirror behind.
During the day the sunlight streaming through the window bounced off the crystals and gave a dazzling show on the ceiling.
Outdoor carriage lights are so interesting that I decided to bring them inside to our Highover office.
Previously the sconces did not fit the style of the home and were hung too low. After raising the light boxes, two classic outdoor carriage lights were installed on a dimmer switch. The result was a look that complemented the elaborate molding and mantel. And, when dimmed the room was a beautiful sight to guests entering our home.
I never liked the original lights above the island and kitchen table in our Highover home. They had wide flared globes on rustic iron fixtures with vine accents – much too dated.
When I painted the cabinets (see my post: Painting Kitchen Cabinets – Part 1) I changed the lights to a sleek black iron with simple clear globes. Much more fitting to the new space. Plus, I added a third light over the island while still using the same electrical box and the kitchen table had three lights instead of one. Of course, everything was on a dimmer switch – a must for creating the mood to fit the occasion
2. Waterford Old-World
My friend, Diane, has a home I would classify as Elegant Old-World. She wallpapered her Dining Room with rich opulent pheasants and hung an elaborate scroll iron chandelier with crystal teardrops and silk shades above the table.
On her wall are two intricate sconces which shed light on the beautiful wallpaper.
To fit the style of her stately kitchen she hung an intricate wrought iron chandelier over her island. Just the finishing touch to this gorgeous room.
In the foyer of Diane’s home was a baroque-style lamp with an elaborate shade sitting atop a luxurious dresser and paired with an exquisite mirror. Setting the stage for the rest of her home.
3. Lake Cabin Rustic
With the wood plank ceiling, knotty alder cabinets, and log furniture this antler chandelier is right at home in our Lake Cabin.
The same wood plank ceiling is in the bedroom but I wanted more light than what the two nightstand lamps could provide. Thus I decided to hang cage lights from Target at varying heights from the ceiling. The three electrical ropes traversed the ceiling and down the wall to the electrical plug which was tied to the light switch located at the door. I designed the collage of tree root pictures around the ropes. (see my post: Lake Cabin – Beds and Baths)
Normally I do not like cheesy lamps, but this fish lamp was just too cool to pass up. After all, it was a Lake Cabin.
There was no ceiling light above this niche where I mounted a map of the lake the cabin was located. I did not want any cords hanging below the map, so I found a battery-operated picture light controlled with a remote on Amazon. It worked perfectly.
Good light is imperative when working on a puzzle. The solution at this puzzle table was to attach a desklamp with a clamp to the stair rail. The result was a functional light with a rather interesting industrial look.
4. Elshire Transitional
Light Fixtures
When we purchased our Elshire home there was minimal “builder grade” light fixtures. Above the dining table was an understated chandelier. I wanted to make a statement so I selected an oversized, but simple, drum chandelier. It can be difficult to purchase lights online, but where I live lighting stores are limited. As a result I ordered three options, always from stores I knew I could return for free. This one was from Home Depot.
I control it with a dimmer switch and in the evening it creates a warm glow throughout the deep shade. Just the vibe I was looking for.
The builder mounted a flush mount fixture over the kitchen niche. This pendant from Target was a much better choice. Once again, I ordered 3 before landing on the one that looked the best and fit the style of my home. Normally a pendant is hung lower over a table, but I did not want to interrupt the outside view.
The vanity lights in the Master Bathroom were only double bulbs. However, three were needed as there was no overhead light. Plus, I did not like the shape of the shade, the solid white color, or the curve of the fixture. Basically, I did not like anything about the light. Therefore I replaced them with straight line fixtures that had three simple opaque shades. Again, it was much more fitting the home style and they were more functional and gave more light.
I like how our Elshire kitchen cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. The upper ones feature glass fronts but are very dark and boring without lights. I had an electrician install light strips and hardwire them to a dimmer switch.
I light the cabinets on the lowest dimmer setting and keep them lit day and night. I love how it showcases my whimsical Aesop Fable plates.
Lamps
I wanted to create a reading niche in our lower level. Instead of a table lamp, I choose a cantilever drop pendant floor lamp from Target.
Also, in our lower level, I placed this simple grooved plaster lamp from the 1980s on the back bar. It was originally beige color when I found it at a garage sale. Black spray paint and a new shade made it look new. The lamp is on all the time and works as a night light in the evening.
Years ago I saw several cantilevered lamps atop bookcases in a private home. I loved the look! So, before I even purchased this bookcase to fill this narrow wall I knew I wanted to create a similar look. After all, my motto is, “good design is always worth copying”. I screwed in a 25-watt light bulb and keep it lit day and night. The icing on the cake was when I found the lamp on sale for only $20 from Pottery Barn.
In my Elshire bedroom, I control two bedside lamps and a floor lamp, all with the same remote. The two table lamps are not the same, but similar in shape and with the same lamp shade. One is slightly higher than the other which keeps the entire scene from being too symmetrical. The Hollywood cinema lamp shines light on my reading chair and came from Pottery Barn.
I love that lighting can be both beautiful and functional. That is what makes the design all the more rewarding. However, with so many options, it can be overwhelming when searching for the best lighting. I hope this post has shed some light and given you inspiration to change that fixture that does not quite fit in your home.
If you already have the perfect light that makes your home shine I would love to hear about it. Just leave a comment below.
Meanwhile…… “Happy Light Shopping!”
Despite being your son, and knowing more about interior decoration than I ever wanted to, this is actually a pretty interesting article. Especially the light show on the ceiling caused by the chandelier in our old Highover house’s dining room. I had never noticed it until I saw the picture in this article. The remotes, and talking to my coworker who’s a big fan of Tesla and other high-tech stuff, likely including The Internet of Things, makes me wonder what it would be like to have the remotes be replaced by an app on your phone.
So interesting and I love the looks you created. You have so much talent.
I like bringing outdoor lights inside and Diane ‘s sconces are amazing!! I got the idea for sconces from you and love them in my study. Christie
Cheryl, love these ideas and decorating looks. Your creative energy is amazing. Your new home is so lovely.
Thank you Sandy! ❤️
Despite being your son, and knowing more about interior decoration than I ever wanted to, this is actually a pretty interesting article. Especially the light show on the ceiling caused by the chandelier in our old Highover house’s dining room. I had never noticed it until I saw the picture in this article. The remotes, and talking to my coworker who’s a big fan of Tesla and other high-tech stuff, likely including The Internet of Things, makes me wonder what it would be like to have the remotes be replaced by an app on your phone.
Actually, I believe they do have that technology on the more sophisticated systems.
I’m about 350% sure, give or take 50%, that’s such a thing, or something similar, already exists. There is a WORLD of difference between something existing and something being readily available and/or usable.
Great post! Lighting is so important in a home and as we start into the “dark months” so relevant. Thank you for new ideas.
Thank you Mary Kay!