Antique Kitchen Lighting

The lighting in the kitchen of this fixer-upper is a huge problem. Right now the room has just one bare light bulb poking out of the ceiling. It is turned on with a pull chain that is rather cranky. Pull it in any way but just the right direction and there will be no light at all.

The current situation is certainly an example of antique kitchen lighting, but not in the good sense. A more appropriate description would be: A Hazard.  Or Ugly. The goal is to create a lovely farm kitchen type ambiance with small town early 20th century ambiance. Right now the vision of lovely rays of sun streaming through the window onto a checked tablecloth remains just a vision. The idea that a single light fixture in the middle of the ceiling could provide all the light needed in that room is also nebulous.

The best lighting design is going to include the single kitchen light fixture PLUS light over the very dark corner where the stove is PLUS lighting over the sink. Antique lights aren't going to do this room justice, although keeping with that genre for the ceiling fixture is doable.

There are modern light fixtures that can be combined with the antique look to make a coherent design in the room. Brushed nickel fixtures are one choice. Copper toned or pewter light fixtures would look nice, too. The top priority for that room, right now, is getting light directed where it is most useful for food preparation. That means the cooking area and the counter top have to be illuminated. Under the cupboard lighting may need to happen, but that will mean more electrical design work at the front end.