Help me choose some wall lights - Noddy, HerHonesty et al, please pile in

[GrendelsMum]

My life seems to consist mainly of thinking about wall lights. Please help me before I go insane.

Basic situation - we have a 17th century farmhouse with very low ceilings, which means that we've got to have wall lights everywhere.

We're trying to go for a style which is a funky mix of antiques, weird stuff that I have randomly bought when DH wasn't looking an eclectic mix of objets d'art, and modern things. I'm also very keen on the on arts and crafts movement.

So what would you go for in the way of wall lights for a hall and sitting room? One major issue is that they have to actually light the room, which means they have to have a high wattage (and with energy saving bulbs). I could go for either something modern, or arts and craftsy, but want to avoid something that looks fuddy-duddy old-lady. For purposes of argument, assume budget no object, as at least it will give me ideas.

I thought some of the Jim Lawrence ones might be a possibility:

www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/lighting/wall-lights/14

I have rewired and plumbed this old house but one of my bug bears is chrome etc in a setting where it is shadowed and can't be seen.

I like this one, although I wouldn't have the twee cherub shade. The mirror would be useful for bouncing light around if it's a dark space.

I don't particularly like that FIsher one - it is a bit twee.

I love the Harcourt wall light - the simple line that looks like a lamp.

Take a look at this hotel for a fabulous example of an old chalet conversion that retains character and is lit with modern lighting to great effect...

We have an 18th Century farmhouse with low ceilings and I I have picked out the Fisher wall light for our lounge. I think it is a good combination of traditional and modern and it should provide plenty light. I just have to persuade DH .

I think its different to add modern to a complete refurb like that hotel than to add it to an existing scheme and not have it look disjointed.It is obvious the OP is looking for a certain style and it doesn't seem to be stainless steel and linear!

noddyholder - I think you should re-read the OP!

I agree with Noddy and as someone with a similar type of house, I think something that modern could look tacky rather than striking.

Thankyou niggle I am not saying I dislike new lighting in a trad interior but unless you go the whole hog it looks terrible and the OP is only doing the living room and hall.Lighting on wires needs a certain amount of light and height

Gosh, now I've got people arguing over my lighting. This is excellent. No one in real life is interested.

I really like the more modern style of lights (they are actually much more to my taste than the one I linked to), but I don't think they would work so well in my hallway. As Noddy says, if you're going for a total refurb, and have essentially white walls, high ceilings and old beams, you can do a very different look to the sort you can in a small room with a low ceiling. I know Bonsoir's in France, and I can imagine you're thinking about those lovely high ceilinged rooms that you get there.

I've taken a picture of my hallway (on my profile) so you can get a better idea of what it actually looks like. I'd say the ceiling is about 6'4 high - high enough for a reasonably but not excessively tall man to stand up without hitting his head.

That's why I linked to the hotel - so you could see modern lighting in an 18th century farmhouse (albeit an Alpine chalet)

Grendel - I can't look at your profile. Have you taken the pictures off again?

Drat, it's not working. I'll have to add it when I get home from my vastly important and high powered job (take that, Daily Telegraph).