apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm struggling with this issue now, in my dining room, with what size pendant to buy. I'll only have a small round table (42-48" that will occasionally have an overlay for dinner parties that makes it a 60" or 72" round)... at what point does an oversized pendant look utterly ridiculous? What's a good ratio to use? Lighting for this situation is proving seriously problematic but I want a flexible dining area (small for everyday, large for dinner parties).

Love how this looks, especially against the graphic background.

I love that pendant! I'm looking for one like that!

http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com

This IMAGE is provided by IKEA!

The photo is deceptive since it doesn't show the true size of the room, and importantly the height of the ceilings.

In any case I don't think it works at all. A large fixture in a small space is great when it becomes the sole focus of attention. In the photo above the pendant fights the art behind it, and the same is true of all the DC links.

In a small space, one thing should dominate. It can be the light, but if so pare back everything else and choose a great piece.

Here's a good example:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/scavenger/sf-scavenger-moooi-random-light-black-for-500-042734

Love it. Alas, my lack of central A/C necessitates hideous ceiling fans in every room. :(

This IS Ikea.

I love the look of this Ikea light but I hate the plastic diffuser inside of it (not shown in the photo). I wonder if it could be cut out?

I disagree that the pendant fights with the art. I think what's detracting attention from it in this shot is all the little things on the credenza and kitchen table. A little clutter-y.

What I see in this shot in particular is that the artwork is gray/white and the pendant red, allowing the art to receed some is helping the pendant to stand out, however, I find the artwork a touch busy when you add in the other items.

I'd have left the plant out of the shot in this case as it's kind of fighting w/ the art and I'd have taken the other items off the credenza as well and just let the artwork be in this case, now if the artwork was a bit smaller where there was space between the bottom of it and the credenza's top, then you can place a couple of simple items on there but since it rests on the top, I'd leave it bare in this instance.

One thing I *should* add is that if the artwork were more of a solid color then something simple and abstract placed on the credenza would then work and not be competing w/ the artwork, even at it's current size but it would have to be a color that would not compete w/ the pendant however.

Anyone know where this art is from? Or perhaps it's wallpaper?

the art is made from the Inger fabric at ikea. prolly stapled to a piece of wood.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30140179 (bottom of the stack, and the 2nd thumbnail)

Since I rent an apartment, I don't feel comfortable with doing any hardwired installations. Any tips on hanging a pendant that doesn't involve hardwiring?