Did you know I have other rooms in my house other than a kitchen?
Ha! You wouldn't know it lately because I was focused so much on that redo. :) Today I'm sharing a quick update on the lighting I picked for that room and then ended up moving. It worked out for the best!
I liked our old chandelier over the kitchen table -- especially when it was in it's old spot by our bay windows. When we moved the table into the middle of the family room and kitchen it kind of got lost in the larger space. Someone asked if I was going to paint it darker and I was actually planning to do that to give it more substance, but the bigger problem with it was that it didn't give off enough light.
It only took 25 watt bulbs and it was just too dim. So for a year I've been looking for a new one -- I amped up that search to complete the kitchen renovation. I have loved beaded chandeliers for quite some time now. They come in all sizes and costs -- upwards of thousands for one light.
Obviously I didn't want to spend a ton. I was a little concerned about how much light they would give off -- being covered with beads and all. ;) I shopped around online and found a few I loved but most didn't fit my needs.
This version from Target is beautiful but a little too small for what I wanted:
It only had one light too -- not going to work.
This one from Pottery Barn Teen is adorable, but again too small and too dim:
So I did some more digging and came across one at my go-to spot for a lot of things, World Market. Their large beaded chandelier was perfect:
They actually have a smaller version as well, but this one was the size I wanted. The price was great too -- I used discounts and coupons and it's on sale right now!
Best part was that it had five lights inside, all allowing for 60 watt bulbs. I was SO excited when I opened it up -- it was gorgeous! The wood beads and black accents worked so beautifully with our kitchen.
I got it up and LOVED the light but there were two things that bothered me about it in this room. It was a bit "heavy" -- at first I liked that it gave some definition between our kitchen and family room. But the first night I tried to make dinner and watch TV I realized it wasn't going to cut it. I mean, it wasn't all about the TV, but it blocked off the view between the two spaces too much.
It also gave off a weird light that I expected and wasn't sure I would like. The beads create what is really a pretty design on the ceiling, but when you're really using the table underneath it, you may want more light. We eat (duh) but also do homework, pay bills, all that stuff at the table. It was too dim, even with the five bulbs.
And within hours of putting it up I realized it would be absolutely PERFECT for another room in the house. So in the end I went with this light for the kitchen and it works much better:
More info on that one here! It had a few faux wood accents that I liked from far away in the store, but up close they looked too fake. I painted that part gray and like it so much better. We LOVE all the light this one gives us. It's a pretty (and inexpensive!) chandelier.
Sooooo…there was a room I knew the beaded chandelier would be perfect in and it was the dining room turned library. It had to happen:
It is the perfect finishing touch for this room! Other than some trim on the windows in here (which will happen soon), this room is done!
I've had a $20 thrift store find in there and it served us well. I knew I would replace it someday, I just wanted to wait for the perfect piece:
I found it by a happy accident!
The shape, size and texture goes so beautifully in this room:
Here's a close up shot of it -- I searched all over and it was hard to find pics of of this one in real houses:
For the size of it the price (especially right now on sale!) it is pretty fantastic.
Here's a shot of the light at night so you can see what I'm talking about:
It's actually quite beautiful, but I think it would be best in a foyer or dining room where you need soft, pretty light. In the kitchen it was distracting and too much, but it all depends on your needs and preference!
I've seen these lights DIY'd as well -- I don't have the patience for that. :) I loved it as soon as I pulled it out of the box so I didn't want to return it. I'm just glad I could make it work in another spot in our house!
Have a great weekend my friends!
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