I hope you’re not sick of hearing about the kitchen. I’ve just been focused on it lately—and I’m almost ready to move on. But first, here’s one major change we made over the summer that I haven’t shared yet. Ever since we moved into this house, I’ve been envisioning replacing the light fixture over the island with a big lantern:
And, when Ballard put their lighting on sale this summer, I took that as my sign to go for it.
I’ve loved the straight, simple lines of these lanterns for a while, but when it came time to order, I went back and forth between ordering the medium or large size.
In the end, I decided to be brave and order the biggest one. I’m glad I did.
I also wanted to make sure that whatever we put up didn’t fight against the the chandelier we hung over the table. I think the combination of a curvy chandelier and a really simple lantern worked out pretty well together:
(Do you know how difficult it was to keep my kitchen counters cleaned off for the three minutes it took to snap these pictures? I swear it goes from one mess to the next. Oh, and my seven-year-old is hiding behind the island.)
Love the lantern, Emily!! I particularly like this one because it is such a clean look. That is so cute that your son is hiding behind the island - I could totally see my son doing that! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lantern, Emily! What a chic and fresh look. I also am crazy about your curtains! Fabulous kitchen!
ReplyDeleteThat was a good call. Love the lantern.
ReplyDeleteOh, really like the look of the straight lantern with the curvy chandelier. Great combo. Kitchen is really coming along. And it's so nice to see a non-white kitchen for a change. Well done you. Thanks for sharing, liz
ReplyDeletelove that lantern! glad you were brave enough to do it!
ReplyDeleteEmily, I love the contrast between the two fixtures and I feel my project list growing as we speak. We have a similar kitchen/breakfast room setup as you, and I love how yours is coming together.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole thing. My eyes were drawn to the chevron rug, the basket, and the curtains. With the beautiful lighting, it all makes such a warm cozy space.
ReplyDeleteoh emily - im so glad you got the big one. i love this! i know we were weighing in on lanterns a while back, so glad you just DID IT!
ReplyDeleteI love the mix of straight lines with the curves in the same room! It looks beautiful. And I am so happy to see what the large lantern looks like. I was thinking about that same light for our small kitchen table. It would make a huge impact! Great idea! :)
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ReplyDeleteLOL Your 7 y/o was hiding behind the island?? LOL It sounds like my kids! I know what you're saying about messy counters... :-)
I love the lantern. What a change. It's beautiful, Emily!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Looks perfect! And it goes well with the one over the table as well, both having clean lines! Looking good!
ReplyDeleteLove love love! Looks so fab. I've been wanting to add a lantern-style lighting somewhere in my own home!
ReplyDeleteLove it Emily! It's amazing how changing a light fixture can make all of the difference! I was giggling about your 7-year old hiding behind the counter. When I first started blogging, almost every picture had my baby girl peeking her head into every shot! Love what you have done to the kitchen! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLove it and love that you can see through it....I really can't stand pot racks hanging from a ceiling in kitchens, I always feel like you are looking around them....so annoying
ReplyDeleteWhat a big, beautiful statement!!
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome! So perfect for the space. I love oversize pendants.
ReplyDeleteI love oversized lighting. Go big or go home! This was a fantastic choice. xo
ReplyDeleteGood job that other light was not great.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! It is such a statement. I love it and ever since I started reading your blog I've noticed the lantern lights everywhere! Also love that you painted the whole kitchen white.
ReplyDeleteI have a client that is using that same lantern over her island. Love it. Totally doesn't compete. Great choice. Love the comment about the kid hiding. That's how our photo shoots are - kind of a hassle cleaning up and hiding things just outside the shoot. ha! I need to do one to show updates, but I have been putting it off.
ReplyDeleteLooking good!
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ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who struggles to keep the kitchen counters clean! I love the lantern!
ReplyDeleteI like the changes in your kitchen, especially the lantern over the island and the drapes. I am impressed that with your five littles that you even got three minutes with clear countertops. I don't have little ones running around any more and I still struggle! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHa! My sink is usually full of dishes when I photograph the kitchen and I have to make sure I shoot at an angle where they don't show. Yes, it would be too hard to just load the dishwasher first. :) LOVE your new fixture! I have a million can lights in my kitchen but would really like to work in a pendant over my island somehow. Great choice to go big!
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is looking great! I love the lantern! and that is hilarious about the hiding 7 year old. :0)
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteThe timing of your post is perfect! We just moved about two months ago and I have been wanting to change the light above my island. I LOVE this look, as I too have a curvy chandelier above my kitchen table. Thanks for pushing me to make a decision! Such a fresh and crisp look!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether to look at the lantern or that awesome transom in your kitchen! I do love the lantern and remember seeing it in Ballard's catalog. I so know what you mean about keeping things clean with kids (and husbands). I was trying to take pictures of my mantle the other day and my husband kept getting in my way. I finally had to crop him and his game day beer out of the picture.
ReplyDeleteEmily! That looks awesome! Nice choice! Your kitchen is really stunning. You are always an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteEmily it's GORGEOUS! I love the size, but I also love that you can see through it so it doesn't visually take up too much space. Your kitchen/dining room looks stunning.
ReplyDeleteHave the same in my kitchen - love the simple clean lines. I do recommend a clear bulb.
ReplyDeleteIt actually is the perfect fixture to work with the dining room fixture. Nice!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE - I've loved that same lantern forever too! I'm thinking of switching the small pendant over my sink for the small version of this same one - so funny! Isn't is crazy how lighting alone can totally bring a room up to date? Your kitchen is rocking! You've done good girl!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Emily! I love this! Seriously, it's adorable. I'm finally almost done with my convention blog post! UGH.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the new light! I can't believe what a difference it makes, great choice!
ReplyDeleteI love how open and airy it is but makes such a great statement! And I'm with you on the kitchen, it seems like that is all I do is pick up some mess in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the large pendant!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic! I chuckled when you mentioned your 7 year old hiding behind the island. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks great Emily! Love the two lights together in this space. I know what you mean about keeping the counters clean...I am usually just moving piles out of view to get "the shot"!
ReplyDeleteI love the look! I was also very interested to see that you do not have a vent hood over the cooktop. We need to replace our Jenn Aire range and I did not want to spend the money on a new one just to have the downdraft vent. Do you ever wish for a vent or are you fine without it?
ReplyDeleteMomma-Lana, Someone else asked me the same question about the vent on Facebook. It's actually built in, so it comes up with the push of a button. We were impressed when we discovered it :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic. The large scale is great. Ha! You should see when I snap photos . . . there is stuff thrown everywhere behind me and I am often saying under my breath, "Why is this place such a disaster?!"
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteOh...As a mommy of two grown boys, I can tell you after awhile the counters will stay cleared off: when they're bigger and they understand putting away their things....or when they move out ;-)
Looks great! Lol at hiding little ones!
ReplyDeleteGreat choice.
ReplyDeleteLove the Lantern! I've been considering a Lantern Pendant over our island, as well. And, I agree, it looks great with the 'curvy' chadelier!
ReplyDeleteLove the Lantern! I've been considering a Lantern Pendant over our island, as well. And, I agree, it looks great with the 'curvy' chadelier!
ReplyDeleteWe say at my house...go BIG or go home!! i love it! do you always keep greenery in your kitchen or just photo ops? I think it looks great and am going to do the same tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteIt's just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Such a statement. And I love your constant tid bits of real life...my son would probably be standing on the island trying to block the shot. =)
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOW! It is so amazing the difference that the lighting has made in that space. I am so in awe of it all {and totally crushing on those window treatments}!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jen
Dena, I definitely just use the branches on the island for photos. Now, it's back on the mantel. It's pretty but I need my space to work :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE that lantern. Nice choice - it really completes the space!
ReplyDeleteGreat Choice! I love the size and the simplicity of it!
ReplyDeleteI like the "7" plate. :)
ReplyDeleteThe lantern looks really lovely!
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Your kitchen/breakfast area have turned out GREAT! That lantern is perfect how you can still see right to your gorgeous cabinets.
ReplyDeleteOh, I've always loved those Ballard lanterns. It looks fabulous! Had a laugh about your problem keeping the counters clean. I've been trying to photograph our playroom for months but can't seem to keep it straight for any amount of time. Kids, sigh...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this--it looks beautiful, and I really appreciate seeing that lantern in a real life setting. It gives a way better sense of scale and proportion than the catalog photos do. I've been thinking of one like this over my dining room table, and you may have convinced me to go for it......:)
ReplyDeleteThat is a simple but cool lantern! You can make more by doing it by yourself. You just find a better lantern inspiration.
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Oh I how I love it! You're right, the simple lines of the pendant works perfct with the curvy chandlier. That first picture is the perfect shot!
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Hi Emily! Can you tell me how far it is from the top of your countertop to the bottom of your fixture? I found a huge lantern at Habitat that I'm considering but just trying to picture it... Thanks!
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