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Good Questions: Which Pendant for Over My Table?

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Hello AT,

I wrote in last year asking for advice on how to add color to my living area, and I got some great advice! Sooo I am writing again in search of the perfect pendant lamp/chandelier for my dining area in the same space...

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What I have there now is just not right for the space, though I love that it gives off a lot of light. It has four 50w halogens in there now, and I would prefer something more diffuse and less spotlight-like.

I was thinking of a nelson saucer bubble lamp, but I am very much open to suggestions! The ceilings are not high at all, and the space is fairly small. I would be willing to spend up to $400 for just the right thing.

Any ideas? Thanks, "Cat"


Dear Cat,

The Nelson Bubble would be perfect and fit in nicely to your space, we would go for it. Just be careful not to get too small a size. In your space a larger, more ample shape will be more surprising and dramatic.

Anyone else??

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Comments (38)

Is that the Petrie Sofa from c&b in a microfiber?

posted by ms on b on August 15th 2007 at 8:43am
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Personally, I'm very partial to the Le Klint 172 pendant. I'm partial because I have the large version over my dining room table and it's gorgeous! It gives off a wonderful, warm glow and everyone who comes to my house comments on it. I bought mine at Ylighting and it just so happens to be on sale right now: http://ylighting.com/leklinpenmod4.html

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect lamp for your room!

posted by Monica on August 15th 2007 at 8:49am
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i'm facing the same issue right now... we've gone thru so many ideas...building our own crazy fixture, you name it. then we started to like the idea of a drum pendant, very mid century.

patrick 2.0 linked me to this site when i asked in an open thread about hanging drum pendants with diffusers.

these are really good looking:

http://www.seascapelamps.com/pages/MainMenu/products/productDescription.aspx?id=353&Page=3

posted by kdkaboom on August 15th 2007 at 8:51am
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I was just looking for pendants for my own apartment. My favorite is the Blossom Pendant from www.stonegatedesigns.com. It comes in an orange/silver pattern or a green/silver pattern which would look fantastic in your room. The price is steeper than you want to pay, but you can always go straight to the designer...

posted by Lucy1975 on August 15th 2007 at 8:56am
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ditto on the Le Klint...I got the 100watt one a few months ago to hang from my living room ceiling and it's perfect. I went to dwr to see it in person...but I got mine from ylighting also.

posted by julieann992 on August 15th 2007 at 8:58am
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Cat,

My only piece of advice would be, be careful when you choose the lamp so it is not something that will obstruct the view of the painting. Imagine standing facing the sofa and there is a big round thing that doesn't allow you to view the painting. Maybe a lamp that is clear? Not as obstructive to the nice painting...

posted by Anusha73 on August 15th 2007 at 9:11am
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I personally love the nina collection quad pendant which i just purchased for my apt in bronze (link of course not working but it's fantastic) http://www.shoprico.com/lighting/; I love his selection and he is lovely to deal with...

posted by mpolo324 on August 15th 2007 at 9:15am
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Something long and skinny would be cool given the shape of your table, like this:
http://www.lightology.com/index.cfm/method-light.store_profile/sku-1211SU-TITANIA-027H1-00AL/dept-Suspension/szdept_label-Suspension

Although admittedly out of the budget this wood finish would give a nice warm look to the room, the "nut" lamp from the same company would be a cheaper alternative:
http://www.inmod.com/luhocefi.html

And this one would be absolutely frickin' beautiful in your space but is of course close to $2K ;-)
http://www.unicahome.com/p36088/lladro/freeze-frame-hanging-lamps-by-bodo-sperlein-and-lladro.html

posted by eeeck on August 15th 2007 at 9:28am
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http://www.allmodernlighting.com/Rotaliana-4LIHX-00X-02-X-RTL1033.html

check these from rotaliana. Great products. I own the Cloud pendant. But this one might fit best to your setting

posted by Anusha73 on August 15th 2007 at 9:35am
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http://www.allmodernlighting.com/Rotaliana-4BUH0-00X-XX-RTL1047.html

posted by Anusha73 on August 15th 2007 at 9:37am
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Is the Le Klint lamp really enough light? I'm asking because I love the look but worry about it being enough for the dark end of my longish apartment, over the dining table. Anyone?

posted by Mela on August 15th 2007 at 9:37am
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Oh, those other Le Klint pendant lamps are nice shapes too. and not a bad price. Still.. is 100 watts enough in such an enclosed pendant? I'm all for ambiance, but I also need to see if I work on the table!

posted by Mela on August 15th 2007 at 9:40am
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Bummer won't work. I need a hardwire pendant to cover the round hole in the ceiling.

posted by Mela on August 15th 2007 at 9:44am
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This might be cool, although it would probably obstruct the view of the painting.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODw230&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1WALPEN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1WALPEN

posted by BSmeltz on August 15th 2007 at 9:46am
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I have the Le Klint 171 and love it, but I don't think the shades for their pendants are large enough for your table. Mine is 54" and round, and the shade fits it. You need something with more width, more rectangular - unless you want to get two Le Klint pendants. You'd have more light that way too, and the price is reasonable enough at Y Lighting (that's where I got mine). They come with about 10" of white cord, which means you can swag it if you don't want to hardwire.

Or, how about this one? 3 incandescent bulbs:
http://www.ylighting.com/art-logictlsp.html

posted by greer on August 15th 2007 at 9:56am
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I think a Cellula chandelier would look awesome there. But they are going to run you a couple thousand. I'm trying to get one myself. Or a knock off (must they be swarovski??).

posted by Mela on August 15th 2007 at 9:56am
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Anusha73, good point. If you like the lighting that you get with your current fixture, why not go with super small pin lights that give you multiple points of light. You could hang them in a circle or in a line.

Like this fixture: http://www.ylighting.com/vib-2062.html

posted by melissa4981 on August 15th 2007 at 9:57am
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I have this LeKlint 169 model shown here: http://www.ylighting.com/leklinpenmod1.html

The bottom isn't enclosed, so with the right bulb it would shine straight down if you wanted. Also, it's pretty easy to convert this into a hardwire installation.

posted by Jeremy In VA on August 15th 2007 at 10:00am
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besides getting a new light fixture, you really need to paint the wall in the dining area itself! looking at the whole area, it's just all blends. painting the wall a color will also make the all the funiture, the painting and your new lighting fixture pop! you need some warmth, maybe something brick-ish in color.

posted by blkbrrry on August 15th 2007 at 10:02am
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Mela,

The Le Klint is a hardwire pendant. It comes with a decorative white cone that slides up the cord to cover the ceiling hole. It comes with a fairly long cord that you can cut to whatever length you want and it only took me 15 minutes total to install it once I took down the hideous ceiling fan that was in the same spot.

If you'll excuse my silly Blythe doll sitting on it, here's a pic of my Le Klint 100w lamp right after I mounted it and before I touched up the paint! I took these pics with my old camera so they're a bit fuzzy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilettantedotinfo/45892479/in/set-1002782/
The electrical box wasn't centered over my table so I used a white, vinyl-coated cup hook to hold it up directly over the center of my table. It comes with a nice little hanging gadget thingie that you slide on the cord and has a hole it in for hanging off a hook. Sorry I can't explain it better, but hopefully the pic will show you!

I only use a 75w bulb and a dimmer for mine since it's not used for task lighting, but I think a 100w bulb would make for some good lighting. The lamp has a hole in the bottom that you stick your hand in to change the bulb, so you will get some direct downward light from it.

Good luck!

posted by Monica on August 15th 2007 at 10:04am
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I purchased my dining table lamp several years ago from Lucid Lighting in Lambertville, NJ. Their lighting is reasonably priced and they will make the fixture the hanging length you desire. My fixture is the "Mirus" chandelier.

www.lucidlighting.com

posted by John H on August 15th 2007 at 10:20am
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Thanks, guys! There are some great lights out there that I've never seen... keep the great ideas coming!!

posted by cat on August 15th 2007 at 10:20am
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I think the fixture over a rectangular table should reflect the shape of the table, so...

http://www.shadesoflight.com/Chandeliers/Italian-Quadrate-Chandelier/Page_1/CH05041.html

And, I think the toned-down aspect of the decor (in a good way) lets you get a statement piece in there, so...
http://www.zgallerie.com/shop/viewsrch.asp?sku=020048562

But I also like the tailored/organic quality of this one, and think it works in the space:

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Chandeliers/Style_Contemporary/page_3/70754/

But don't freak out about the painting being "blocked".

posted by patrick (the other one) on August 15th 2007 at 10:28am
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I definitely think a bright white is the way to go in a round, organic shape. And I wouldn't be so concerned about blocking the painting. There are so many angles to view the painting that it wouldn't be a problem. Also, your fixture will be a little piece of art too to echo the impact of the art.

posted by heyheykatielady on August 15th 2007 at 10:38am
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I'm sure you have enough suggestions to work with here - I just wanted to let you know I love that painting. Gorgeous!

posted by peggy on August 15th 2007 at 10:52am
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Although not lighting, saw these prints at cb2 and thought of your space...

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=587&f=3944

posted by patrick (the other one) on August 15th 2007 at 11:19am
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I'd actually *not* do a bright white fixture... I think it will be at odds with your more organic pieces (like the nature-inspired prints, the caning of the chairs, etc.)

posted by patrick (the other one) on August 15th 2007 at 11:19am
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Monica:

Wow, thanks so much for the additional info! It's now a major possibility for me. :) THanks for the photo showing that cone too!

Mela

posted by Mela on August 15th 2007 at 12:47pm
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Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you but just wanted to add that your room looks great, in particular I love the print on the far wall. Are you able to reveal who it is by?

posted by Jodie on August 15th 2007 at 3:49pm
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I don't own a Le Klint, but just from looking at the photos, I think it's definitely a good choice. Heyheykatielady is right, it will echo your painting really nicely! The undulating curves within the Le Klint shades go so well with the organic painting.

I would not do a square or rectangular shade; I think you were on the right track with a pendant, which will "set-off" the more rigid geometric shapes in the room and create a really dramatic effect. I also don't think that white is a problem-- you don't have to be too "matchy" with the hues of the wood and caning. I think form is more important than color in this case.

If you need a few Le Klint lamps to light the area, I would do three, not two, if possible. Odd numbers are more dramatic and if you hung them at slightly different heights and used different Le Klint forms, you would have an even more amazing space!

posted by eam2242 on August 15th 2007 at 7:34pm
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Thank you all sooo much! I have a lot to think about, and I will definitely post "after" pictures. I actually meant to do so after my last question about the color but I never got around to it. (BTW P2 - I bought the C&B zia rug that you recommended in red!)

As for the "painting/print" on my far wall, it's not a painting at all - it's a piece of Marimekko fabric on stretchers. I got it at http://store.txtlart.com last year.

And the sofa is indeed the Petrie, but it's the standard fabric option in the "lynx" color.

Thanks again everyone :)

posted by cat on August 15th 2007 at 7:45pm
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melissa4981 - I love the nobel small pendant. When I redo my kitchen I want to have 3 of those over the counter. They remind me so much of the dutch interiors. And the simplicity of a bulb, being a lamp on it;s own is beautiful.

posted by Anusha73 on August 16th 2007 at 5:54am
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Cat,

I think this might look really cool in your space...

http://store.roseandradish.com/product-exec/product_id/1248/nm/Nicolette_Brunklaus_Large_Shady_Tree_Lamp_Shade

posted by mschatelaine on August 16th 2007 at 5:58am
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Hi Everyone! I'm new here. This question is for Cat or anyone who might know. Could you please tell me where you got your (dining set from)? It's sooo pretty and retro!

Do anyone know where she got it?

Thank you
Natasha

posted by Natasha365 on August 8th 2008 at 4:35am
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Natasha, my mom had those chairs- at first I thought that they were Mies Van der Rohe because they were cantilevered, and he also made cane chairs, but after doing some research I found out that they were called the "Cesca" chairs, made by Marcel Breuer for Knoll. The table I'm not sure about...

http://www.knoll.com/products/product.jsp?prod_id=15&flag=cat&cat_id=6

posted by fraukatze on August 30th 2008 at 7:34pm
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Oh wow! Thanks fraukatze for responding to my comment.
I've been haunting for these chairs every since I've seen them here. I've almost become obsessed about finding them! (blushing).

I was like this about my (murkla lamps) and (buskbo table) from Ikea years ago. he-he-he "But mission was accomplished in finding the pieces I wanted.... no, needed!

Thanks for the information!

posted by Natasha365 on November 19th 2008 at 4:02pm
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check out this hanging pendants, they will definitely add style to your space.

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/lighting/pendants-lighting/moroccan-pendant-01.aspx

Cheers,

Sandra,

posted by sandracohen1950 on February 18th 2009 at 12:25am
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Y'know, Sandracohen1950, I don't think spamming old posts is going to help your sales much. Just saying.

posted by rosenatti on February 18th 2009 at 12:46am
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