When Bad Lighting Happens to Good People

As promised here, I will be revealing the other side of the Kitchen today.

But first we need to talk about lighting.  Every single house I have done, has had bad lighting fixtures(including my own.)  This is for various reasons. 

Most people move into a house thinking, oh maybe I will change that light fixture out..but then they get used to it and forget about it.  Or sometimes the home owner happens to be at Home Depot and picks out a fixture that they like, even though it completely contradicts the style of the house.  I have noticed over the years that the men have been picking out the light fixtures.  I think this goes back to the Home Depot theory because in general men are not into the decorating (except for mine of course).

In most cases people are open to changing their less than perfect lighting selections EXCEPT for in this kitchen.  Does it make sense to completely renovate your kitchen but keep the old lighting fixtures?  Well, not to me but then again, if everyone listened to me I would be president.  Or a queen, sitting on a throne.  Please?

Anyways, so until I get my way we had to shoot around the lighting which cut a lot out. 

BEFORE:

 

 

Very cutting edge for 1990 but in today's world pretty dated.  The cabinets are white and shiny, the

laminate countertops were boring, but most of all...

 

 

 



The fruit tile just HAD to go! 

We decided to keep the same layout which saved LOTS of money. 


AFTER:

 

Josh Beeman Photography

 

Would you like a martini?

 

 

Here is the lighting which will (hopefully) some day make its way over the island (set of two):

 

 

 

Circa Lighting

 

The client is very traditional and wanted to keep the lighter cabinets so we did a cream with a brown glaze. 



Here is a close up of the cabinets and tile:

This tile was stepping a little on the wild side for him but its so neutral that its still pretty traditional.

I'm still working with him on changing out the lighting (and also darkening the wall color for a little contrast).  But over all I think we have a huge improvement! 

What do you lovies think?

If you forget what the other side of the kitchen looks check it out here.