Category: pendant lighting

Timeless kitchens

Timeless Kitchens design

We spend so much time in the kitchen, especially with little ones I’ve discovered. For me it’s become more important than ever that my kitchen has a timeless appeal and design, because with kids and trying to work from home, we won’t be having time to do any renovations should we decide a trend wasn’t for us!

A dramatic pendant over the sink.
via BHG

A wall mounted monitor – most of my recipes are from the computer, and I don’t like to waste ink or paper printing out a recipe that I may not like.

Open shelves aren’t for me, but otherwise this kitchen is a dream…
2 above via House Beautiful

The gray brick is really beautiful, but I wouldn’t want the stainless steel counters.
via Interiors Porn

The three below are all from the same kitchen. I think I’m definitely going to go with white cabinets. I also love the marble countertops, but that won’t be in our budget for a long, long time.

The hood is really cool

Love those stools too, and the pendant lights

3 above via House Beautiful

January 23, 2018
Simple, Chic, and Beautiful Interiors

Uncluttered, well-curated, organized homes

I’m definitely on a binge as of late to find inspiration for simple interiors. For most of us, a home this “perfect” is just not possible. We have kids, long hours, and husbands. In fact, my husband claims my standards for cleanliness are “warped” by looking at perfectly staged and decorated interiors for the past eight years. He may have a point. Nevertheless, think of these homes as “design concepts” and draw inspiration and maybe even motivation for sending one box a month to a thrift store.

Simple to me does not mean modern or minimal. Simple can have warmth and character. To me simple is more about “clean” and surrounding yourself with only things that are meaningful to you.
via Pinterest via Carla Aston

Simple and chic also requires discipline to keep your space tidied and clean, but to me the reward of walking into a room like this is worth it.
via DecorPad

If you are starting a room from scratch, furniture with clean lines can help accomplish a simple chic look.
via Apartment Therapy

Next time you dust or clean, try to remove at least one object from a shelf or bookcase. You don’t have to get rid of it, just put it away for awhile. See if you like a sparser look. The less objects you have on display, the more impact the objects on display will have.

via DecorPad

via Apartment Therapy

Coming home to a simple and streamlined entryway is a great way to decompress.
via DecorPad

via Apartment Therapy

What does simple mean to you?

July 28, 2016
Summer is coming: Bring on the Outdoor dining!

Enjoying a leisurely dinner outside on a hot summer night is one of my all time favorite things. And there is nothing like enjoying dinner outside on a beautiful patio with sting lights and candles for ambiance. Feeling that warm breeze yet?

Love the greenery overhead.
via Pinterest via Skona Hem

via Pinterest via Caroline Legrand Design

A dreamy way to spend the evening!via Pinterest via Design Tricks

via Pinterest via My Inner Landscape

via Pinterest via Veranda

Looking to spruce up your outdoor space? There are a plethora of options available out there, but I’ve pulled a few for you that I wouldn’t mind having in my backyard!

This table would make such an impact! Found here.

You can purchase these string lights here.

I’ve been seeing a lot of these chairs around lately and I really like them. Available here.

Because beverages are important. Found here.

What makes a summer dinner outside perfect for you?

April 14, 2016
Real small houses: Ranch Renovations

I’ll take my small 50’s rancher over a 90’s McMansion any day – who has time to clean all that anyway? Okay, maybe I am envious of the storage space – we have no garage or basement, just a hard to access attic and a scary crawlspace. My point is, there is something nice to having the family all on one floor and in a home that forces you to keep your possessions in check.

However, while Ranch houses can be described as a blank canvas, or family friendly, I don’t completely agree with that. Especially if your ranch is from the 50/60’s it’s probably partitioned off into extremely small rooms that don’t really suit today’s lifestyle. We knocked down several walls to make our living room, dining room, and kitchen one great open concept space. We lost a hallway, which as our realtor cleverly spun as “making the home feel like a large sprawling estate,” but the open space and light is worth it. There is a breakfast bar dividing the kitchen from the dining room, but the open layout allows me to keep an eye on little Leo playing in the living room area while I’m making a bottle in the kitchen.

Below are some other ranch remodels (undoubtedly all with much larger budget’s than ours) that I think really make the most of the square footage. If you’re looking for a qualified local contractor to take on your ranch renovation, check out the Get Assist app.

I have a weakness for exposed beams…and wide plank wood floors..and built ins…

Love the contrast of the rustic/industrial stools with the sleek white kitchen. A lot of people are making statements with lighting these days, but I actually like how understated these pendants are.

The blue vanity is so pretty.

3 above via Pneumatic Addict

In the house featured in the image above, as well as the photos below, several wall were taken out to turn a small kitchen and den into one large open kitchen.

Recessed lighting is also a great way to visually expand a space!

The vaulted curve in the ceiling makes this home look even more spacious and open after it’s remodel!

Do you now or have you ever lived in a ranch house? Did you ever remodel it, and if so, how?

images above via Style Blueprint

*Thanks to Get Assist for partnering on this post!

March 28, 2016
Help choosing and finding mini pendant lights (and kitchen eye candy!)

So, we’ve recently had some demo work done in our house (pics coming soon!). And as exciting as it is, picking things out for the revamped space is a bit daunting. We are starting with looking for 3 mini pendant lights to go over our new breakfast bar, which is small at just 6′ x 18.” The issue is that we would ideally like to spend no more than $70 per fixture, and hubby and I don’t really agree on what style we like.

I want something transitional – I really had my heart set on clear glass, and he was frosted or art glass, which I just don’t want. We will ultimately have to choose a chandelier to go over the dining table, which is about 6′ from the breakfast bar. I don’t want anything to be from a matching set, but I also want the chandelier and pendants to work together.

Here are some options I like:

Love these, but hubby thinks if we get these we might as well just have exposed naked bulbs hanging from the ceiling. I also like these because I feel like regardless of the chandelier we go with they will work together.

via Decoist

These could potentially work, but I wouldn’t know what finish to go with.
via Decoist

I like this style, but I can’t find any in our price range.

via Home Decorators Collection

Maybe these?

via Home Decorators Collection

Traditional Kitchen by Narberth Architects & Building Designers Philip Ivory Architects

These are basic enough to work as well.

I like these vintage railroad pole pendants from Etsy. They could be sophisticated in the right setting and have a story behind them.

Liking these globes too but I would want them a lot smaller and I doubt they exist in my price range…
via Pinterest via BHG

Any ideas for us or places for us to look?!?!?

January 29, 2015
Chic and beautiful lighting

I am a sucker for a beautiful lighting fixture but am always very nervous when faced with having to commit to one. There are so many and most cost a pretty penny, so I’m always worried I will regret a very expensive decision. So ever since we moved into our new home in June I have been gathering inspiration for when we are ready to change our lighting (which is high on my priority list) I’ve decided that to build my confidence, I am going to start with changing out the hallway light fixtures since they will be smaller and less expensive than a chandelier for above our dining room table or a pendant for the master bedroom. Although it might not seem that big of a deal, hallways are one of the most used light fixtures in a home and are often left on, so they shouldn’t be neglected.

It’s important when changing out something that’s going to be around for a while, especially if you have a small budget like us, to think about the style and decor of the rest of your home so that they tie into the design you’ve already started or will work if you decide to change your flooring, wall color, etc.

via belgianpearls

Something a little more elegant and classy is a much better fit for this space. The mix of modern and historical is great match for the rest of the home decor. If the light fixtures were any more traditional and flashy than these I probably wouldn’t like the space as much.

via ruemag

Something more artsy and eccentric stands out in this space but still fits in with the theme of the home. This is a great example of having something that catches your eye but doesn’t take away from the space.

via georgiandesign

Mixing and matching may be the best idea for hallways that are connecting multiple rooms. This works well with eclectic styles but if done correctly you can mix and match any type of home decor style. Keeping the light fixtures in the same family or “collection” but in different styles is the best way to achieve this.

via Margot Austin
I’m really loving the look of drum style pendant lights in the hall. The slim console with a lamp is a nice touch and adds a cozy feel.

via Arcadian Home
Again, really liking the drum style pendants. If you can manage, space ceiling fixtures about 8 to 10 feet apart in a hallway.

March 21, 2014
Ideas for lighting your home

Lighting in a room can really make or break a space! Unfortunately, the lighting fixtures in my new home are as far from my style as you can get, so I have my eye out for some inspiring solutions to light my dining room, kitchen, halls, and master bath…

I’ve been scouring ebay and craigslist for a mod brass chandelier like this one to hang above my dining room table.

I’ve been crushing on sleek chrome or silver lighting in the kitchen like the fixture hanging over the island in this GORGEOUS kitchen

Lacking in natural light? Join the club. There are a variety of light choices for any space you have in your home. What do you think of the multiple sconces used in this space?

I love how this homeowner jazzed up an affordable light fixture by winding rope around the cord.

I’m not generally a fan of recessed lighting, but done unusually I think it can add to a space. Just make sure it’s on a dimmer!!!

Basements can be the hardest to light because there isn’t much natural light there. I like the idea they have here of using the long drapes to create the feel of a large window and using larger lights to warm up the space. If you live in a basement apartment or spend a lot of time in your basement this is such a cool idea!

this post in partnership with mailorderlighting.co.uk

July 23, 2013
Super Dreamy Kitchens

Happy Friday everyone! I am excited to create my dream kitchen in our new home, here are some looks I’m loving…

A dramatic pendant over the sink.
via BHG

A wall mounted monitor – most of my recipes are from the computer, and I don’t like to waste ink or paper printing out a recipe that I may not like.

Open shelves aren’t for me, but otherwise this kitchen is a dream…
2 above via House Beautiful

The gray brick is really beautiful, but I wouldn’t want the stainless steel counters.
via Interiors Porn

The three below are all from the same kitchen. I think I’m definitely going to go with white cabinets. I also love the marble countertops, but that won’t be in our budget for a long, long time.

The hood is really cool

Love those stools too, and the pendant lights

3 above via House Beautiful

April 26, 2013
Gathering inspiration for my home office

As some of you know, we just bought a home and I will have my first true home office. Not in the dining room, or the nook of the bedroom, a whole separate room!

Here are some office spaces I really like:

The 4 images below show the office of Apartment 34‘s Erin Hiemstra

Loving those gold pendants!

This sitting area is great for flipping through magazines, sketching, etc..

via Rue Mag

The office of Maison Luxe, based in Seattle.

Great use of the nook!

via Rue Mag

April 19, 2013