Vintage bulbs source of light for kitchen?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Would four vintage bulbs be bright enough to light my very small kitchen?

We have picked out this semi-flush ceiling light because our ceiling is low in the kitchen. I want to avoid it looking like a hospital/retail store but I also don't want it to look like a dungeon! There is no door, but there is a 3/4 wall leading out to the living room. Daytime, light is not a problem. But it's often dark in London and when I cook dinner I don't want to be squinting!

I will also install under cabinet lighting which will be bright... Do you think that combined with the four exposed vintage bulbs would be sufficient? Or too dark?

Thanks so much... I have too many decisions to make and I feel like I won't know for certain until I've already bought these expensive bulbs!!!

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Comments (5)

PRO
User
7 years ago
Hi Jeanette,

I only ever use these bulbs for dramatic effect, they give off a low level yellow based light.

I love the effect but you have to be careful if your using them as a light source.

My preferred way is to use under counter lights and then add in LED downlighters. After that add in your feature light.

Control everything off a simple scene set control which will allow you to set different moods.....soft and warm evening mode, bright for cooking or a combination.

Hope that helps,

Martin: www.angel-martin.com
Jeanette K thanked User
Jeanette K
Original Author
7 years ago
That's really helpful and I think you are right. I am now going to have to choose between warm white or cool white for the four light bulbs because unfortunately we don't want to stretch our costs even further by adding in downlighters in the kitchen as well. Hmmm...
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Luciana I get you, I had a similar dilemma re the Tom Dixon lights, and ended up finding some gorgeous vintage copper lights which I like more, are more unusual, and haven't seen in anyone else's home. I had the central light re-positioned over the kitchen table (it's a large 70s onion shaped copper coloured one that moves up and down). I love it over the table and it sits quite low and looks great. At night we only have that one on and the rest of the kitchen disappears (including the washing up!) so it feels more intimate. I then found 2 more smaller ones that are over the sink and benchtop, and higher up than the table one. They are all different but the same 70s copper style so they look good together and I love them. People often comment (in a good way) as they add a bit of interest and personality to the room.
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If the lights over the island are mood lighting and not task lighting (ie eating or atmosphere vs cooking lights) then go for a warmer power wattage bulb. We have all exposed bulbs in our open plan area and I’m swapping some of them for lower wattage and vintage style as it’s easier on the eyes, lol! If the lights are higher up and not directly around head height then a brighter one would also be ok. E27 is the size of the bulb ie chunkier stem vs the E14 which has that little thin stem. You can use any type of bulb in the fitting as long as it’s the right size stem and doesn’t exceed the light limits. LED us better and longer lasting of course.
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PRO
Sam Coles Lighting
7 years ago
Hi Jeanette I think that as long as you get your under cabinet lighting right, and your main prep areas are underneath it you should be ok. Under cabinet lighting comes forward to where you are working so should be shadow free.

These days with LED light sources it's the lumens that matters and not the watts. Some can be far more efficient than others which means they create more lumens per watt. If your fitting comes with the bulbs included and you get really stuck look for the highest lumens version you can and swap to those.

Sam
Jeanette K thanked Sam Coles Lighting
PRO
User
7 years ago
Hi Jeanette,

Thinking out of the box there is one other way to increase the light levels.

Consider doing a mirrored ceiling area...

The will magnify / reflect the light source over a much wider area.

Just a thought.

Martin: www.angel-martin.com
Jeanette K thanked User
Jeanette K
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thank you to Sam and Martin. I will keep the lumens advice and mirror use into mind.

I am a bit stuck about under cabinet lighting though because it seems that all battery lights have hit or miss reviews. Sounds like I have to go with a plug in because we don't want to pay someone to reroute the electric but I really wanted to free up outlet space for small appliances! Dilemmas...

Vintage bulbs source of light for kitchen?

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Vintage bulbs source of light for kitchen?

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