Personal Spaces: Homeowners Work Their Pendant Lights
See how all kinds of rooms are getting a lift from hanging lights, both budget-friendly and glam
Pendant lighting can make a statement, define zones within a larger space and (most important) cast a warm, flattering glow on you and your guests. Whether you crave farmhouse style or midcentury modern, get inspired by these 10 examples of pendant lights, from glamorous splurges to DIY ideas.
Farmhouse With Salvaged Style in Washington
Who lives here: Cari and Greg Horning, daughters Kendall and Piper, golden retriever Scoop and 3 farm cats
Location: Quincy, Washington, 2½ hours from Seattle
The wide-open interior of the Hornings’ new home on their family farm has a warm and cozy feel, thanks to the abundant use of natural materials, family heirlooms and reclaimed materials. Hanging lights help define zones, from the vintage-style pendants in the living room to the Edison bulb fixture in the dining area.
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Pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric
Who lives here: Cari and Greg Horning, daughters Kendall and Piper, golden retriever Scoop and 3 farm cats
Location: Quincy, Washington, 2½ hours from Seattle
The wide-open interior of the Hornings’ new home on their family farm has a warm and cozy feel, thanks to the abundant use of natural materials, family heirlooms and reclaimed materials. Hanging lights help define zones, from the vintage-style pendants in the living room to the Edison bulb fixture in the dining area.
See the rest of this home
Pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric
Warm Midcentury in Dallas
Who lives here: James and Cindy Stolp and their sons, Jack (age 5) and Mike (3)
Location: Highland Meadows neighborhood of Dallas
Budget-friendly contemporary pendant lights draw the eye to the honey-toned vintage midcentury modern dining set in the Stolps’ home. Having a trio of lights instead of just one emphasizes the length of the table and casts an even glow.
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Pendant lights: West Elm
Who lives here: James and Cindy Stolp and their sons, Jack (age 5) and Mike (3)
Location: Highland Meadows neighborhood of Dallas
Budget-friendly contemporary pendant lights draw the eye to the honey-toned vintage midcentury modern dining set in the Stolps’ home. Having a trio of lights instead of just one emphasizes the length of the table and casts an even glow.
See the rest of this home
Pendant lights: West Elm
Creative Homestead in Australia
Who lives here: Will Onus; Simone Viljoen; son Finn (age 2), daughter Scout (9 weeks); Viljoen’s mother, Mickey; and Henry the dachshund
Location: Adjungbilly, in rural New South Wales, Australia
Simple drum pendant lights hung down the center of the main living space boost light and unify the living, dining and cooking zones in this cottage on an Australian cattle farm. Neutral paint and lighting allow the colorful textiles and artwork to take center stage.
Pendants: Beacon Lighting; rug: Ikea
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Who lives here: Will Onus; Simone Viljoen; son Finn (age 2), daughter Scout (9 weeks); Viljoen’s mother, Mickey; and Henry the dachshund
Location: Adjungbilly, in rural New South Wales, Australia
Simple drum pendant lights hung down the center of the main living space boost light and unify the living, dining and cooking zones in this cottage on an Australian cattle farm. Neutral paint and lighting allow the colorful textiles and artwork to take center stage.
Pendants: Beacon Lighting; rug: Ikea
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High-Low Mix in Pennsylvania
Who lives here: Gino and Mali Torriero and their sons, Luca (age 7) and Nello (4)
Location: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Saving with simple Ikea kitchen cabinetry, kicked up a notch with doors from Semihandmade — a company that makes doors that fit Ikea pieces — allowed the couple to splurge on white quartz counters and a Larmes 24-Light Pendant. The sparkling chrome and glass pendant adds a glamorous note to the modern kitchen.
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Who lives here: Gino and Mali Torriero and their sons, Luca (age 7) and Nello (4)
Location: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Saving with simple Ikea kitchen cabinetry, kicked up a notch with doors from Semihandmade — a company that makes doors that fit Ikea pieces — allowed the couple to splurge on white quartz counters and a Larmes 24-Light Pendant. The sparkling chrome and glass pendant adds a glamorous note to the modern kitchen.
See the rest of this home
Nature-Inspired in Austin
Who lives here: Christina Campbell and her son, Jasper Herman
Location: Bouldin Creek neighborhood of Austin
Everything in Christina Campbell’s home, from the treetops visible outside the windows to the reclaimed-wood planks used on the kitchen island, displays a love and reverence for nature, and a commitment to creative reuse. The vintage X-ray pendant lights over the counter are lined in mercury glass, which casts a warm glow.
Pendants: vintage; bar stools: Babar, AllModern
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Who lives here: Christina Campbell and her son, Jasper Herman
Location: Bouldin Creek neighborhood of Austin
Everything in Christina Campbell’s home, from the treetops visible outside the windows to the reclaimed-wood planks used on the kitchen island, displays a love and reverence for nature, and a commitment to creative reuse. The vintage X-ray pendant lights over the counter are lined in mercury glass, which casts a warm glow.
Pendants: vintage; bar stools: Babar, AllModern
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Budget-Friendly Bungalow in Ohio
Who lives here: Kiel and Chelsea Mohrman, and their cats, Peanut and Chloe
Location: Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio
The kitchen in Kiel and Chelsea Mohrman’s 1918 bungalow is filled with DIY touches, from the open shelving to a worktable made by Kiel. The pendant lights were a budget find from The Home Depot, and their vintage feel works well with the architecture of the home.
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Who lives here: Kiel and Chelsea Mohrman, and their cats, Peanut and Chloe
Location: Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio
The kitchen in Kiel and Chelsea Mohrman’s 1918 bungalow is filled with DIY touches, from the open shelving to a worktable made by Kiel. The pendant lights were a budget find from The Home Depot, and their vintage feel works well with the architecture of the home.
See the rest of this home
DIY Details in Toronto
Who lives here: Timothy Mitanidis and Claudia Bader
Location: Queen Street Fashion District of Toronto
Wanting to cut costs while renovating their home, Timothy Mitanidis and Claudia Bader — designers at Creative Union Network — got crafty. Instead of having a bank of lighting installed over the kitchen island, the couple created their own DIY frame using gas pipe and fittings from the hardware store, allowing them to drape simple ceramic sockets and rope wire from the wall.
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Who lives here: Timothy Mitanidis and Claudia Bader
Location: Queen Street Fashion District of Toronto
Wanting to cut costs while renovating their home, Timothy Mitanidis and Claudia Bader — designers at Creative Union Network — got crafty. Instead of having a bank of lighting installed over the kitchen island, the couple created their own DIY frame using gas pipe and fittings from the hardware store, allowing them to drape simple ceramic sockets and rope wire from the wall.
See the rest of this home
Handmade Touches in Australia
Who lives here: Artist Harriet Goodall and Mat Campbell; their children, Banjo (age 6) and Clementine (3); and Australian Cattle Dog Badja
Location: Robertson, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia
Goodall creates woven light shades and sculptural wall art, and her rural New South Wales home is filled with creative, handmade touches. She made these pendant lights from the cardboard lining of recycled dishwasher packaging.
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Who lives here: Artist Harriet Goodall and Mat Campbell; their children, Banjo (age 6) and Clementine (3); and Australian Cattle Dog Badja
Location: Robertson, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia
Goodall creates woven light shades and sculptural wall art, and her rural New South Wales home is filled with creative, handmade touches. She made these pendant lights from the cardboard lining of recycled dishwasher packaging.
See the rest of this home
Lightened Up in the Netherlands
Who lives here: Manon and Ruud van Niel and their daughters, Quinty and Sterre
Location: Westland, the Netherlands
With six months of renovating, Manon and Ruud van Niel transformed the outdated all-brown 1970s interior of their home into a light-filled contemporary space. For the master bedroom, the couple went with a pair of pendant lights instead of traditional bedside lamps, giving the room an eclectic feel and saving floor space.
Pendants: Candledrops, Zuiver; blue paint: Oval Room Blue, Farrow & Ball
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Who lives here: Manon and Ruud van Niel and their daughters, Quinty and Sterre
Location: Westland, the Netherlands
With six months of renovating, Manon and Ruud van Niel transformed the outdated all-brown 1970s interior of their home into a light-filled contemporary space. For the master bedroom, the couple went with a pair of pendant lights instead of traditional bedside lamps, giving the room an eclectic feel and saving floor space.
Pendants: Candledrops, Zuiver; blue paint: Oval Room Blue, Farrow & Ball
See the rest of this home
Feel-Good Rustic in Alabama
Who lives here: David and Atalie Whitley and their dog, Annie
Location: Smith Lake, Jasper, Alabama
The Whitleys’ lake house acts as a retreat away from bustling Birmingham, Alabama, where the couple live most of the time, and as a family getaway when their five kids come to visit. The large linen barrel-shade pendants hanging above the trestle table have acrylic sheets at the bottom to diffuse the light, casting a soft glow on family gatherings.
Pendants: Restoration Hardware
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All photos: Original from My Houzz, a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Who lives here: David and Atalie Whitley and their dog, Annie
Location: Smith Lake, Jasper, Alabama
The Whitleys’ lake house acts as a retreat away from bustling Birmingham, Alabama, where the couple live most of the time, and as a family getaway when their five kids come to visit. The large linen barrel-shade pendants hanging above the trestle table have acrylic sheets at the bottom to diffuse the light, casting a soft glow on family gatherings.
Pendants: Restoration Hardware
See the rest of this home
All photos: Original from My Houzz, a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
