One Woman's Cottage Life

Cottage Style vs. Recessed Lighting? Kitchen Lighting Plan and Mock-Up

I really appreciate all the thoughts and opinions below regarding the beams. Hubs is really thrilled that everyone felt the way he felt- just a beam at the seams! I'll be so glad when they're up...I'm anxious to see how they look:)

After we are fininished with the ceiling in the kitchen, we'll start working on the lighting. Once again, I find myself questioning my previous decisions. Last year, I really liked the idea of having recessed lighting to fill in the dark spots in our kitchen and dining area, but I'm wondering if recessed lighting would take away from the cottage/country style I'm trying to create. Would it "clutter" up the look of new plank ceiling? Ack...too many things to think about!

I'm posting a mock-up of my original lighting design. The lighting you see above the island, sink and dining area have just been digitally "installed", lol.

Each proposed recessed lighting location is marked with a letter. I especially wanted lighting above the french door area (A) and the two locations in the dining area (D and E). Then I thought that the "L" corner of the kitchen (B) would need some light. To make things nice and symmetrical, I proposed putting one on the left side of the sink (C) as well. What are your thoughts? Does recessed lighting belong in this cottage kitchen? If so, should I remove any from my plan? Thanks again, you all. After we cut holes in the ceiling, there is no going back!

Also, just a note to add that I've upgraded to Blogger Beta, which gives me the ability to easily add categories to each entry. It will take me a while to go back and add labels to all my previous entries, but hopefully I'll get them all done.

Labels: kitchen, lighting

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At 9:34 AM, Chris said...: When we did our kitchen renovation we had the same decision to make and we ulimately decided no recessed lighting. And honestly I think the reason was that we ran out of steam! We have 2 pendants over the island, one over the sink and lots of under cabinet lighting and it seems to do the trick. I love my pendant lights! By the way, I have loved reading your blog and the others of all these creative women out there and it inspired me to try my own so I hope you get a chance to check it out. It's in it's infancy. You and I would probably be great friends if we were close in proximity because I LOVE all your colors and household finds, although I'd probably be competing with you for the same thing at a yard sale!
At 9:35 AM, Chris said...: When we did our kitchen renovation we had the same decision to make and we ulimately decided no recessed lighting. And honestly I think the reason was that we ran out of steam! We have 2 pendants over the island, one over the sink and lots of under cabinet lighting and it seems to do the trick. I love my pendant lights! By the way, I have loved reading your blog and the others of all these creative women out there and it inspired me to try my own so I hope you get a chance to check it out. It's in it's infancy. You and I would probably be great friends if we were close in proximity because I LOVE all your colors and household finds, although I'd probably be competing with you for the same thing at a yard sale!
At 10:46 AM, Sean said...: We put recessed lighting in our 1920's kitchen kitchen and love it - They really don't draw much attention to themselves but provide good lighting. Your existing fixtures are so pretty that you want anything to complete with them.
At 11:03 AM, Sarah Ellsworth said...: I think any recessed lighting you put up is a great accent to any room. I had them in one kitchen and they added so much to the lighting, making it brighter if I needed it (especially above the cabinets) or if I wanted a dim look, I just had the recessed lighting on and nothing else.
At 11:04 AM, Bill said...: fdtcThis is always a tough call for anybody interested in a period look. But the fact is recessed lights do an important job and do it very well. I think your hanging fixtures will provide great task lighting, but will leave you wishing for more overall lighting. Especially in those dark countertop corners. The way that we approached our lighting design was to plan the cans so that they provide total illumination and then put them on dimmers so that they don't always have to be "full on." You may also want to split them into separate groups with their own switches so that you have some options.

I don't really like the "idea" of recessed fixtures in a period room, but I sure like the application. And I think that once everything is installed your hanging fixtures will steal the show, leaving the cans pretty much invisible. But you'll probably be glad you have them.
At 11:13 AM, Amanda L. said...: I think that, as long as your trim was about the same color as your ceiling, that the recessed lights would blend in and you wouldn't even notice them. They would simply provide the light that you require and not detract from your theme. I have recessed lights in some places and I love them. I recommend the 4" housings because they blend in a little better, although they do not give off quite as much light as the 6" housings. You may need to adjust your lighting plan if you go this way. I can't remember- do you have undercabinet task lights? I don't know how I ever lived without mine, and they're a cinch to install.
At 2:47 PM, Anonymous said...: A friend of mine has a french cottage kitchen with recessed lights and it looks wonderful. The lights don't detract in the slightest. In fact, they give the kitchen a very cozy feel. Maybe it's where she placed them but I was really impressed with them in her cottage kitchen. I'm sure whatever you decide, it'll look fantastic. Just like everything you've done so far. :)
At 3:24 PM, Jessica said...: Hey Kim,
Well I have to admit I am a purist at heart. If it were me, I would opt out. Now my husband is a different story. He loves old houses, but also modern technology. Think automated lighting in a colonial home...if it were left up to him lol!
Your kitchen is coming along great!
We are finishing up ours and its up for sale right now. =)
Well have fun and look forward to knowing what you decide! Always decisions! hehe.
At 3:25 PM, Jessica said...: Hey Kim,
Well I have to admit I am a purist at heart. If it were me, I would opt out. Now my husband is a different story. He loves old houses, but also modern technology. Think automated lighting in a colonial home...if it were left up to him lol!
Your kitchen is coming along great!
We are finishing up ours and its up for sale right now. =)
Well have fun and look forward to knowing what you decide! Always decisions! hehe.
At 3:27 PM, Jessica said...: This post has been removed by the author.

Inspiration from "A Storybook Life"

This week I discovered a wonderful new blog called "A Storybook Life". All of you cottage style lovers will surely appreciate the photos of her home and her decorating tips, advice, and articles. During my first visit, I discovered a beautiful set of artful and colorful stacking boxes that work perfectly with my style and color scheme. Pearl was kind enough to let me know where I could purchase the boxes for my home and I ordered them yesterday (from Lang.com), along with a matching calendar. If you haven't done so already, check out A Storybook Life.

Oh, and here is the calendar and all the art within it. These would be beautiful framed, don't you think?

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At 6:42 PM, Anonymous said...: I love Bob's Boxes! Lang is in a quaint little town not far from me here in Wisconsin. They have a great outlet even closer, and the sales they have there are to die for. Some awesome deals to be had. Check out the calendar frames on the Lang site.

I also want to stay your cabinet pictures are an inspiration! Hopefully, I will be able to convince my husband that we need to do something similar.
At 10:15 PM, Kathy said...: I got the Greased Lightning at Home Depot & did a small test area on one kitchen cabinet - wow! I didn't realize we were such dirty people... Thanks so much for the tip.

I need to apologize to someone who wanted to paint her almost new oak cabinets - I thought she would ruin them. Now I need to send her the link to your site. Your kitchen is really beautiful.
At 12:48 AM, Kim said...: Hi Pen! You know, I had never heard of Lang's until yesterday. I'm in Tennessee, so they may not have them around here (I'll have to check!) I look into those frames - how neat! Aw, and thanks about the comments about the cabinets. It's amazing how a lot of elbow grease and paint can tranform just about anything!

That's great, Kathy! LOL, I thought the same thing about our cabinets! They were oak and *looked* clean, but once I started degreasing them, I was completely grossed out by the *grease* and dirt that came of them. I couldn't believe it!

Hehe, yeah, when I told a few folks that I was going to paint our oak cabinets, I could have picked their jaws up off the floor. Oak is pretty, but I grew up with the nearly the exact same cabinets and I really wanted something different in my own home. I didn't have the money to buy new cabinets and our oak ones were too nice to get rid of anyway. Painting them worked for us!

A note about painting cabinets...just make sure you that after you degrease and sand them, use a good bonding primer before you paint. It will really help the paint to stick.:)

Plank Ceiling Installation Progress + Opinions Needed

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous as of late. You just can't beat 70 degree weather!

I know I haven't posted in a while (long story involving my allergies and a stray cat residing in our office...anyhoo) but I thought I'd share some pictures of our plank ceiling progress in the kitchen. We started the install this week and are about 2/3's of the way finished with adding the boards - then we'll need to install some box beams, put on another coat of gloss paint, and add the crown moulding. I was so excited about the impact that the wood ceiling has on our kitchen so far so a snapped a few photos.

Just getting started...We didn't tear down our old (horrifically ugly) ceiling but just installed right on top of it. We are using 5 inch wide X 3/4 inch thick tongue and groove pine.

A whole row completed...

Two rows completed...We'll be putting beams over those seams where the ends butt up against each other.

Next we'll do the ceiling above the dining area. Hubs was itching to do it this weekend, but we had to bring more planks from the garage to acclimate for a week or so before installing them.

On the subject of beams...one of us wants to put beams *just* at the seams and one of us wants to put beams at the seams AND at the middle of the planks. The beams are not going to be monstrous, perhaps only 5 inches wide and about 4 or so inches deep. We will paint them the same color as the ceiling. Thoughts and opinions would be appreciated!

Here is a view of the kitchen area from the living room.

This is a view from the kitchen into the dining area. The kitchen and dining is one big space.

More beams (one every 3 feet) or Fewer beams (one every 6 feet) ???

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At 4:56 PM, Patricia W said...: It's looking beautiful. I still can't get over the incredible transformation of your kitchen cupboards. Bravo!
At 5:29 PM, Kim - ScrapToMyLu said...: Your cabinets are stunning! So much fun. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.
I found your blog fun to browse through. We have the same taste.
At 7:38 PM, Trissa said...: The kitchen is looking great! Are you going to make fake beams? We built (or I should say my husband built) a box beam ceiling in our living room/dining room. It sounds like you just want two beams going across. I wonder if you could take a photo and either draw the beams on top of it, or use a photo program to draw them in to see what you think. Have you seen other ceilings with beams like you want?
At 8:14 PM, Anonymous said...: It's hard to say for sure without being in the room to see but I think the beams every 6 feet, 3 feet may be too busy. But like I said, it's hard to say without being in the room.
At 8:35 PM, Anonymous said...: Kim~
I LOVE the planks-you've given me some great ideas! Time to put my husband to work! I would do fewer planks-keep it simple. Thanks for sharing the latest project with us.
~Bethany
At 8:46 PM, Kathy said...: Your kitchen cabinets are beautiful. What degreaser did you use and where did you get it?
At 9:12 PM, Poppy said...: Every time I see your kitchen cabinets I sigh...they are so gorgeous. You did such a wonderful job on them!

The beams...less is more in my opinion. I think beams every 3 feet would be too much. The ceiling is looking fantastic...can't wait to see the end result.

~Poppy
At 11:41 PM, Kim said...: Thank you so much, everyone:) I do believe I'll be painting *something* for the rest of my life, hehe. Cabinets, ceilings, furniture...will it ever end?:)

I appreciate the comments about the beams...keep them coming! We hope to get to the beams within the next week or so - can't wait!

Kathy, the degreaser I used is called Greased Lightning. You can buy it at Lowes and probably even at Home Depot or Wal-mart. It works great! Spray it on and let it just stand there (or drip) for a little bit. The dirt will just come right off!
At 12:09 AM, Kim said...: Oh, Trissa, I meant to answer your question...Yes, we are planning on building box beams. I LOVE yours - you guys did an awesome job! This will be the first time we've ever built any, but hopefully it won't be too terribly hard (let's hope!).

If we go with placing a beam at the seams only, we'll have three beams total for the kitchen and dining area combined. That's a good idea about using a program to do a mock up...a may have to try that - thanks!
At 7:23 AM, King of Kentville said...: I vote for beams at the seams.
At 8:12 AM, Anonymous said...: Kim, wonderful progress. I'm glad you posted pictures. What a change! I'm not sure about the number of beams. I am leaning towards having fewer, but it's hard to say without seeing everything in person. I would love to see the mock-up if you have time. Good luck and keep up the good work!
At 9:11 AM, Chris said...: I vote for less beams. This comes from someome who used to have beams and couldn't wait util they were gone. Mine were not the same color as the ceiling so maybe that was the problem. Your kitchen looks great!
At 3:31 PM, bookyeti said...: What you've got done now, Kim, is BEAUTIFUL!
At 5:21 PM, Ann said...: The planks just finish the kitchen beautifully, Kim. You've worked so hard and the transformation is just amazing. I would tend to go for fewer beams, ie every 6 feet. Although the ceiling is wonderful, you don't want it to be the focus and I think more beams would make it too busy.
At 6:22 PM, Anonymous said...: Less beams. Every 3 feet would be too busy, I'm afraid. And less beams means less work.
At 8:21 PM, Jessica said...: Its looking great Kim! I love the planks! And its good to hear from you again, but I know how it can be! Esp when you have to take advantage of the good weather! Been thinking of you and visiting often! =))
Ta Ta for now!
At 8:08 AM, Kim said...: Thanks again for all the comments...it's good to hear from you all:) It looks like "less" is more,eh? Admittedly, I'm the one that wanted more beams. I'd love to be able to have a place to hang dried herbs and flowers in the future...love the look of a few hanging from above:) But we'll let you know what we do!
At 10:50 AM, Anonymous said...: I like the idea of the beams every six feet. I think they would have a bigger visual impact that way. You have a lovely blog!
At 4:58 PM, Anonymous said...: I think the ceiling looks great!! I have "bead board" on a few ceilings and it looks so vintage and cozy. It certainly makes any room look better.
I love how the kitchen looks.
I will be peeking in at your blog from time to time...
thanks,
Clevsea
At 12:50 AM, Kim said...: THank you, Becka and Clevsea! We've been working on the kitchen for FOREVER but one day it will be finished. Hopefully the rest of it will come together ok...there is so much left to do!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006