Alternate title: spending a lot on lighting, and feeling pretty good about it.
We’ve been eagerly waiting to replace the kitchen light fixtures, and the time has finally come. Decisions were made, fixtures were purchased, and a few decorating dreams are about to come true. We decided to keep all three of the new lights after our big Phase 2 renovation, so instead of using temporary placeholders we invested in three fixtures we truly love and expect to live with for years. We wanted the trio to relate to one another and work harmoniously in the room, but not to match exactly since each light serves a different purpose. Each area deserved its own solution, so here’s what we planned:
- Over the sink: a glass pendant to replace the mini fluorescent — it won’t block the view and it will catch the sun beautifully.
- Over the main cooking area: a semi-flush mounted shade to modernize and soften the light where the old boxy fluorescent used to be.
- Over the table: a rope chandelier we’ve had our eye on for a long time, chosen to complement the table and add a focal point.
We’d been eyeing a large 24 x 24″ rope chandelier for months because it seemed like the perfect statement piece for our weathered wood kitchen table. After plenty of deliberation we finally pulled the trigger and spent more on this chandelier than we ever had on a single light—but it felt worth it for a fixture we hope will remain a favorite for a long time.
We tracked the chandelier’s price as it appeared in a few places, and eventually ordered it for a good discount off the original asking price. It felt exciting to finally commit to something we’d wanted for so long. Hopefully we’ll still be sharing breakfast under it decades from now.
For the sink area we wanted a simple glass pendant with oil-rubbed bronze hardware so it would pair nicely with the more eye-catching chandelier. We didn’t want anything colorful or overly detailed above the sink that would compete for attention, so a single trip to Home Depot quickly turned up the right pendant.
The pendant we picked was affordable and perfectly proportioned — elegant without demanding too much attention. It provides a soft glow by the window and lets the view remain unobstructed.
Choosing the semi-flush mount shade for the main cooking area proved to be the trickiest decision. Replacing a large boxy fluorescent calls for a substantial fixture, so small options wouldn’t cut it. Our kitchen already gets plenty of natural light from four windows, so we liked the idea of a shade that would add warmth and make the space feel cozier without needing extra recessed cans. We hunted through small shops, big-box stores, online catalogs, and local outlets until we narrowed down several worthy contenders:
- A 15″ natural shade — elegant and reasonably priced, but when we mocked up the size it looked too small for the space.
- A 17″ shade from a national retailer — a step up in size, yet still not quite as large as we wanted for replacing the fluorescent.
- An inspiring quatrefoil flush mount from a high-end lighting dealer — beautiful and expensive, kept for inspiration rather than for purchase.
- A 17″ caged shade with attractive hardware — we liked the detailing, but again it didn’t read as large enough in the room.
- A 24″ burlap quatrefoil-shaped shade we found at a local lighting outlet — the larger size felt more appropriate and the texture would add a warm, casual vibe.
After comparing sizes, finishes, and how each would sit in the space, we chose the 24″ quatrefoil-shaped shade. It balances the big rope chandelier on the opposite side of the room while allowing the chandelier to remain the visual star because it hangs lower. The glass pendant over the sink completes the trio by introducing a softer glow and a touch of polish near the window.
We saw the chosen shade in the store stacked on a display and liked how its color and texture tied into the rope chandelier. Our plan is to patch and paint the ceiling, do a little electrical tweaking, and then hang everything so the new fixtures can finally transform the room.
Before I go: a few readers asked on Instagram about how we introduced our dog Burger to our daughter Clara and how we managed the transition from living with a dog to living with both a dog and a baby. We’ve written about that experience and how we tried to make the adjustment smooth for everyone involved, and shared details over on our family blog today for anyone interested in practical tips and personal reflections.