This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
Whether an island is a dedicated workhorse or just for show, it’s often the centerpiece of a kitchen. And by extension, the lighting above it plays a central part in the look and feel of a kitchen design. These 10 pendant lights over islands present a range of possibilities, but all have that extra-special something that enhances the overall design of their spaces. Have a look, then let us know in the Comments which one is your favorite.
1. Bell Curves
Copper pendant lights scaled just right for a large island bring a warm gleam and curved lines to this fresh farmhouse-style kitchen in Ontario, Canada, by designer Aniko Nicholson. They join gunmetal sconces, a polished nickel faucet and other metallic elements in adding lively notes to the calm wood-and-white design. Note too how the inset window frame over the sink speaks to the copper finish of the pendants and creates a pulled-together feel.
Read more about this kitchen
2. U Got It
Artisan Katy Skelton created the dramatic U-shaped light fixture in this Southern California kitchen by Linette Dai. Its bar is wrapped in white leather for an unexpected and luxurious touch. The pendant is artfully hung at a level that accentuates both the solo upper cabinet behind and the lines of the tray ceiling above. And it manages to make a statement without taking away from the bold Arabescato Corchia marble on the island top and backsplash. All in all, it’s a lovely finishing note for a polished urban Zen space.
Read more about this kitchen
Shop for kitchen lighting
3. Under the Big Tops
Kids doing homework at this spacious island in a British Columbia, Canada, kitchen by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating will have plenty of light for reading, thanks to lighting that includes three large pendants. Their black-and-white finishes sync up beautifully with the black cabinets and range hood, white countertops and walls, and elements in the nearby breakfast area. The pendants have the only brass elements in the room, adding shine and helping establish a focal point. They also play nicely with the light wood stools below.
Read more about this kitchen
4. White Caps
Designer Michael Ferzoco of Eleven Interiors believes that lighting is the most important part of any room. For this Massachusetts homeowner, a big fan of midcentury modern style, he capped off his crisp blue-and-white kitchen design with striking white dome pendant lights. Their warm metallic interior brings shine and draws the eye, even from the adjacent dining area and living room (not seen) in the open plan. And check out how those four stools below visually balance the pendants without being rigidly symmetrical.
Read more about this kitchen
Browse dome pendant lights
5. For Love of Country
Brass elements throughout add to the warm welcome in this charming Vermont kitchen by designer Lauren Miles. The pendant lights have an aged version of the metal on the stem, above 16-inch linen drum shades that, along with the white oak island countertop below, establish the kitchen’s center without hogging the spotlight. Their clean, modern lines help keep the countryside-inspired kitchen design from tipping over into full-on farmhouse.
Pendant lights: Stillwater in aged brass, Rejuvenation
Read more about this kitchen
6. Shine On
The stems of these three pendants artfully emphasize the verticality of the cabinets and pantry door in this London kitchen, visually boosting the kitchen’s height. It’s a subtle but masterful move that comes courtesy of Robert Burnett of Kitchens by Holloways and Elizabeth McFarlane. The designers chose a gold finish as well, which brings the black-and-white design to life and nods to the gold-tone cabinet pulls nearby.
Read more about this kitchen
How to Get Your Pendant Light Right
7. Art of Subtlety
With oil-rubbed bronze, cased white glass shades and clean lines, these teardrop-shaped pendants suit their midcentury modern surroundings without being too on the nose. Their shapeliness acts as a counterpoint to all the linear elements of this Vermont kitchen — by Britt Mee of Vermont Interior Design and Rachelle Lazzaro of OAK Design Project — and their darker base color has a grounding effect on the white island expanse below. Plus, they’re subtle enough to let that gorgeous green backsplash tile have its moment.
Read more about this kitchen
Find backsplash installers near you
8. Grace Notes
Pendant lights don’t have to be oversize or flashy to be standouts, as these slender metal-and-glass versions show. This is the kitchen of Minnesota designer Mary Maney of Crystal Kitchen + Bath, and she repeated the pendants’ coloring in the island base, the range hood and the back of a glass-front cabinet to evenly distribute warm notes throughout the white-dominant space. The overall effect is of traditional elegance without a whiff of stuffiness.
Pendant lights (similar): Connor one-light, Capital Lighting Fixture
Read more about this kitchen
9. Delicate Balance
An angled black-and-brass piece surrounds a white glass shade in these two pendants, for an artful look that dials up this Massachusetts kitchen’s wood-forward design. The round part peeking out references the scallop-shaped backsplash tiles and offsets the linear ceiling beams, while the overall delicate design balances out the boxy island below. Note too how Kerri Reesey of Kindred Designs carried the black from the pendants to the chairs for a united front.
Pendant lights: Blaine, 16 inches, Rejuvenation
Read more about this kitchen
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This retired couple bought a Colonial-style home in Sterling, Massachusetts, on 4 acres to be closer to their growing family and granddaughter. While they loved the classic architecture, they wanted to update the home’s neutral interiors. A big focus was revamping the kitchen and its basic honey oak cabinets, angled two-tier peninsula, standard white appliances and laminate countertops. The husband, a trained chef and former restaurant owner, wanted ample room for prepping and serving. The wife was looking for some color for the cabinets and wanted an elegant look and feel. For help they hired designer Ruth Bergstrom.
Bergstrom replaced the angled two-tier peninsula with a spacious L-shaped peninsula that adds work surface and seating. Updated appliances in a more user-friendly layout enhance function, while a polished marble-look quartz for the countertops and backsplash adds elegance and durability. Gray cabinets with subtle green and blue undertones bring a soft and soothing feel.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
5. They Know Where to Spend and Where to Save
“Sometimes the simple details are expensive; at other times, a design change can save so much money,” Berry says. “Always be open and honest with your designer about money. We have the knowledge and tricks to create the wow without a wow price tag.”
“I always advise my clients to spend the majority of the kitchen budget on the cabinetry and doors, as these get the most use,” Davis says. “The kitchen cabinets especially, although not necessarily seen, take the weight of the [countertop] and need to stay rigid for many years, so the doors stay aligned. I use the analogy of a car: You don’t see the chassis, but it needs to be high-quality to ensure a great vehicle.
“Where I often suggest clients can save money is on the appliances. We only sell quality brands, which means their entry-level products are still excellent quality, using the same components as the more expensive models. The difference is often in the features available, so I have a good chat with my clients to work out what features they can live without to help them choose the best-value appliances for their budget.”
McCrostie offers another tip: “Where a kitchen is totally custom, wider drawer stacks can be designed into the plan to reduce the overall number of cabinets, as drawers are more expensive than cupboards.”
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
Nestled in the woods of an island on Lake Champlain, Vermont, this 1955 “seasonal camp” home is where empty nesters Lance and Dawn Trigg go to entertain family and friends. But the couple, who live primarily in Florida, didn’t feel the kitchen was party-ready. At issue were aging appliances, an abundance of pine paneling, green linoleum floors, blue-green laminate countertops and a peninsula that cut off traffic flow.
Wanting a brighter and more open space for cooking and entertaining, the homeowners looked at inspiration photos on Houzz. They then hired designer Britt Mee and builder Bill Wockenfuss to help them realize their vision. The remodeling team removed the peninsula setup and replaced an old staircase off the kitchen with a spiral version. Those moves added 141 square feet and created room for extended cabinetry and a new island with seating and storage. The island’s cool blue-green base, white perimeter cabinets and greige paneled walls establish a light and casual yet upbeat look. The refinished pine ceiling and new rustic pine flooring add tremendous warmth. Upgraded appliances and a bar station in the island ensure partygoers stay well stocked with plenty of food and drink.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
6. Durable Flooring
In a heavy traffic area like a kitchen, the floor needs to earn its keep. There are many surfaces you can go for, including natural stone, luxury vinyl planks, concrete, ceramic and porcelain. You also can choose beautiful wood, but be sure to get advice on how to seal it and protect it from water damage.
Think about how your floor will look with the rest of your design and whether you’ll want to change it in the future. Classic stone tiles will work with most styles and colors. However, a patterned floor also can look stunning.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This Minneapolis couple and their three kids love cooking and baking together. But the cramped U-shaped kitchen in their 1904 home didn’t exactly feel family-friendly. To help them create a larger, more functional kitchen with improved storage, workspace and a personalized style, they hired designer Kate Roos to spearhead a major remodel.
Roos took over a mudroom to expand the kitchen, adding 45 square feet and freeing up room for an island with seating. A nifty rolling baking cart can tuck away into the island. The walnut island coordinates with a focal point range hood and red oak flooring to add warmth to the light gray perimeter cabinets and white tile. A colorful handmade backsplash design over the range punches up the space with playful personality.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
With busy jobs and two elementary school kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep up with their hectic lifestyle. Their existing kitchen didn’t come close. It sat closed off behind a wall separating it from the dining room. The space felt cramped. The cabinets lacked storage. And the materials — aging basic white cabinets, laminate countertops, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — felt dated and uninspiring. “I love to cook and knew this kitchen wouldn’t work for me,” Oxholm says.
Wanting more openness, efficiency, color and contemporary materials, the couple hired designer Sean Lewis for help. Lewis got to work knocking down the wall to open the kitchen to the dining room. He added a peninsula with seating that improves connection between the two spaces. Closing off an exterior door to the driveway freed up room to add more cabinetry and improve storage. Gray paint for the cabinets with brass hardware and other brass details creates an elegant style. A graphic black-and-white porcelain tile floor energizes the new kitchen, while a black-painted open pantry brings a dramatic touch.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
With busy jobs and two elementary school kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep up with their hectic lifestyle. Their existing kitchen didn’t come close. It sat closed off behind a wall separating it from the dining room. The space felt cramped. The cabinets lacked storage. And the materials — aging basic white cabinets, laminate countertops, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — felt dated and uninspiring. “I love to cook and knew this kitchen wouldn’t work for me,” Oxholm says.
Wanting more openness, efficiency, color and contemporary materials, the couple hired designer Sean Lewis for help. Lewis got to work knocking down the wall to open the kitchen to the dining room. He added a peninsula with seating that improves connection between the two spaces. Closing off an exterior door to the driveway freed up room to add more cabinetry and improve storage. Gray paint for the cabinets with brass hardware and other brass details creates an elegant style. A graphic black-and-white porcelain tile floor energizes the new kitchen, while a black-painted open pantry brings a dramatic touch.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
The owners of this Minnesota home — professional musicians and California transplants — were drawn to its midcentury modern architecture. According to local lore, the house was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright’s in 1954. It’s a fabulous home filled with iconic midcentury details.
The kitchen, however, was not so fabulous. It was closed off from the rest of the house, making it feel dark. The appliances were old, and at some point someone had added red carpeting and a harvest gold range and countertops. While keeping the kitchen’s footprint intact, interior designer Colleen Slack was able to open up the room, provide adequate storage and countertop space, and create a look that jibes with the home’s classic midcentury style.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
It’s understandable to be dazzled by the performance or look of a smart new kitchen appliance, but Eva Byrne of Houseology suggests that you also consider potential purchases with a view to keeping them clean.
“Choose a [range] that’s fuss-free and easy to wipe down without needing any exotic lotions or solutions,” Byrne says. “Have a good look at details, such as the knobs on your oven, to make sure there are no hard-to-get-at nooks. Knobs that are too close together mean you can’t get a cloth between them, for example.”
Designer Nicolle Whyte agrees and suggests choosing an induction cooktop, “as it’s flat, easy and safe to clean.”
Furthermore, Louise Delaney, design manager at Cameron Interiors, says, induction cooktops save you from having to clean the grates and other parts found on gas cooktops.“We recommend choosing appliances with cleaning programs included. Let your appliance do the cleaning for you!” She suggests choosing ovens with pyrolytic cleaning functions (which heat the oven to high temperatures to burn off residue), steam ovens with automatic steam cleaning and drying programs, and coffee machines with automatic cleaning.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz