apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd say, bottom of lamp somewhere between 7 and 8 feet.

I think the best way to do this is to feel out the best height for this particular furniture arrangement in this particular room. There is no magic height for hanging lights that is ideal for every situation.

a george nelson bubble lamp would thereby complete the *I shop at design within reach-look* you seem to be going for. too much mid-century, my friend. it's overkill. but if you don't give a hoot, that's kool....hang the lamp so it's eight feet off the ground=three feet from the ceiling....

how about this height?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72524617@N00/1830561103/

Fjorder - what's wrong with this look if that's his style? I would kill to have this place, but I have to settle for Target and Ikea knockoffs. oh well.

You know, the minute I saw the pic for this posting I knew some wiseguy/girl would have to rag on this guy for having a MCM decor. Geez, leave it alone for once! How high to hang the lamp? Higher than a snob's swelled head.

Hang so the bottom of the light is about 34" from the tabletop.

greer - over the coffee table?! Someone is bound to hit it.

I would really play around a try different heights before settling on one. This is easier if you do it with a friend. They can hold it up at different heights from a ladder while you check the view from different areas of the room. Also, consider views like from the door or furniture from across the room.

If anything, don't hang anything too low. I recently hit my Arco lamp knockoff and broke the bulb. Good thing I had it off.

As for being too Mid Century--do whatever your heart tells you. Heck, I have 3 Nelson saucer lamps and I feel no shame. Let the snotty ones wallow in their own self-absorbed, self-generated snottiness.

First off, I don't think you should hang it over the coffee table because that doesn't seem like it would look good visually.

I WOULD, however, hang it to the right of that nice-looking fireplace or something like that. If you do that, you can either hang it lower or higher.

P.S. Hang it just low enough so that Fjorder can hit his/her head on it!

P.S.

Why does everyone immediately say that you've shopped at DWR when they see MCM design. There are many, MANY high-end stores that cary these licensed products.

You can't beat those classic pieces. Good for you.
Some say it's unimaginative; i say it's just good taste.
So what if it's kinda predictable. The pieces are great looking and functional.
A dim controlled light source in the center of the conversation area is a good thing.
Up light (candles) work well. Down-lit lighting makes for an unflattering looking crowd. The suspended light here will also surprisingly chop up the flow of the clean lined room.
I recommend you try an alternative.

I would hang the Nelson fixture over the small table in the back. I think the room looks more spacious and open without a ceiling fixture in the middle of it. Love the Eames furniture.

I agree with GHB. I would hang the light over the small table against the brick wall.

People who make comments like Fjorder drive me crazy. I love the furniture sold by DWR - and many other stores, as orangejuice mentioned.

Have you considered hanging it over the metal-based table just to the right of the sofa? Then you could hang it dramatically low.

I'm jealous!!! I want your furniture!!

I registered just to say that Tome's comment gave me the best laugh of the week.

Hi,
Here is a page from the Rejuvenation website that addresses light height.

http://www.rejuvenation.com/faqnumberid39514883c1026/faq/faqshow.html

Oops! I thought the question was about hanging it over a dining table. What can I say, I have a cold...obviously not operating at my best this week.

I agree with orangejuice. I don't think hanging it over the coffee table will look right. To one side of the fireplace would look best, I think. Or what about over that small round table towards the back of the room, is that your dining table?

Yikes! Believe me folks I LURVE every piece in Michael's joint—and I concur that each MCM piece is a high-water mark in design. But all in one room—I dunno. Each piece seems to be fighting the others for attention. Like i mentioned in my original post "if you don't give a hoot, that's kool."