Please advise on stylish kitchen lighting

[franch]

I'm thinking of a row of pendants above the kitchen table (tell me if this became naff when I wasn't looking), but what should I have to illuminate the work surfaces? There will be lights under the upper units, but what do I put on the ceiling? Are there alternatives to strips of angled spots (which was there before) or spotlights embedded in the ceiling?

Oooh, shall watch this thread with interest Franch as we're currently exploring the same subject! Am, like you, thinking two pendants above table, don't have a lot of units for underlighting but it will be there where there are upper level units. Above island thinking 3 pendants in a row - linking in with what's above table and other lighting is spots embedded in ceiling around the island which will light up rest of work area. Sounds a bit boring but hopefully will work out okay. It's choosing the fittings which is hard work - what if we make a mistake and botch up the whole kitchen!

It's difficult isn't it - I feel like a right amateur.

Apparently the best height for dining light is 90cm above the table - gives intimacy without blocking anyone's view. Or so I just read - thought I'd pass it on!

We have no island - all the work surfaces have units above. That's the bit I'm wondering about - like you I think the embedded spots are a bit boring but suspect there is no alternative.

Anyone got any advice?

Didn't know that about the dining table light Franch - thanks for that! Have you looked at any of the lighting websights such as lightingdirect.co.uk (sorry, can't be bothered doing link!). Here is a link though - we've seen a couple of nice fittings from this crowd - have only found one stockist www.schuller.es/

Gotta run - baby going mad!

Which lights have you picked then millie? Just looking at your links

We have a light that dangles over the table, but our friends have one which you can pull up and down which is much better - out of the way if you move the table, etc.

None as yet ....

Saw this in shop and its much nicer in real life than in catalogue - Pecera on link below

But quite like these as could have two of bigger fittings over table and 3 coordinating single lights over island but have only seen it online www.schuller.es/ - called Flash.

For under unit lights you can get nice spots (not embedded but square shaped more of a feature) - u can sort of see them here www.greenhillkitchens.co.uk/fhp7.html . It might be worth looking through pics on here to get some lighting ideas - must do same myself but need to run collect kids from school.

Talking of feeling like an amateur, I felt like a real idiot in lighting shop this week (our first foray into one!) when lady asked about size of island, distance between wires, what size our table would be etc. I hadn't a clue about half of it!!