Dining room table lighting options

10 March 2014

I am currently feeling very stymied over our dining room table lighting situation. The pendant lights are in, but we are no closer to a decision on the dining room table fixture than when we moved in — I feel like I’ve been looking for months, and still haven’t found an option that satisfies our criteria and that I feel totally confident in. And since this will be an expensive purchase and a prominent piece in our home (much like our rug), I want to get it right. Perhaps y’all might be able to shed some light (har har) on the situation?

Here is our inspiration. I like the classic smokebell shape…

smoke-bell-lanterns

On left, from Young House Love

smoke-bell-lanterns-hallway

On right, from Cote de Texas

I like the canopy style…

classic-canopy-lantern

Em for Marvelous

modern-chandelier

Better Homes & Gardens

And these fancy red ones are nice…

red-lantern

Sunset Magazine

fancy-red-lantern

Style at Home

Using those rooms as inspiration, I’ve searched and searched for options within our budget (ideally under $500) and with a minimum of three 60-watt bulbs or four 40-watt bulbs (John’s request). It has been surprisingly hard to find fixtures with enough wattage for John in the style we like. This is what we have so far:

dining-room-chandelier-options

A. Star of the Show Island Chandelier from Shades of Light ($566 with 10% off, 4 60-watt bulbs, also available in “blackened rust”)
B. Hundi Lantern from Pottery Barn ($269 with 10% off, 3 40-watt bulbs)
C. Classic Canopy Lantern from Shades of Light ($540 with 10% off, 4 60-watt bulbs)
D. Darlana Medium Lantern from Circa Lighting ($630, 4 60-watt bulbs)
E. Remington Pendant Chandelier from Ballard Designs ($212 with 15% off, 4 40-watt bulbs)
F. Classic Smokebell Lantern from Shades of Light ($350 with 10% off, 3 60-watt bulbs)

Since we’re not in a rush, I noted the discounts I’ve seen frequently and feel confident we could snag :)

The Hundi lantern is probably the safest option – it’s solidly within our budget, and it shows up again and again in rooms I pin. I really think A and C could be special, but they’re both above our ideal budget.

And that’s pretty much where we are at the moment. Any favorite lighting resources you’d like to share that I could try? Have something in mind that I must see? I’d love to hear!

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Elizabeth
March 11, 2014 10:46 am

You don’t know me from hector BUT here’s what I think :)

Definitely stick with a “darker metal” so as to not compete with your pendants. Also, don’t fight the style of your pendents and do something very different – could end up looking like a lighting show room. The Hudini is a great option but I don’t think you need to go to Pottery Barn to get the look. Have you tried overstock? This one is pretty similar : http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Antique-Copper-Finish-60-Watt-Glass-Lantern-Chandelier/4338599/product.html

good luck!

Janessa
March 11, 2014 7:33 pm

Since you aren’t in a rush, I’d check out ruelala or gilt.com. Both websites often feature lighting at great deals. I’m a fan of ruelala because gilt often is final sale compared to ruelala. And I like #5. Pottery Barn will never sell you a replacement part if there’s an issue, which I have had with a bookcase purchased from them, so keep that in mind. And while completely different and perhaps not in line with your look, have you seen the lights made from mason jars? They are amazing and a possible DIY.

Em
March 12, 2014 10:04 am

@Elizabeth! Thank you so much! I find Overstock so overwhelming sometimes, but you clearly have the search gift :)

Megan
March 19, 2014 10:33 am

I’d sell you my canopy lantern that I scored from the flea if I were in NC!! It just needs a paint job (red would be cute!) and maybe new wires & glass. It’s so cute! We just have had no place for it in 3 years!

March 22, 2014 10:59 pm

love C&D! We’ve been looking for awhile to replace our kitchen/family room ceiling fans and are running into the same problem in terms of price reasonableness and also wattage. Looking forward to seeing what you choose! We found a passable option at Ikea, but we’re going for a more farm-kitchen style. :)