Here's what the ceiling looked like before the change. We had 7 can lights (5 built into the soffits and 2 over the bar), plus a lighted ceiling fan. I thought that adding in a few pendant lights over the bar might modernize the look a bit. I ended up choosing this pendant. It's called "Industrial Style Tapered Glass Shade Pendant Light with Brass Holder."  I was impressed overall with their selection and prices for all their vintage industrial pendant lighting.                     

This style was right in line with my love of industrial-farmhouse chic. Mr. CBD was really helpful in that he hung the lights, no questions asked. They came totally wrapped in bubble wrap on the outside of the package and Styrofoam on the inside of the package. There was no way those glass pendants were going to break in transit.

In order to hang pendants from a can light you'll need to purchase a pendant light conversion kit. We got ours from Home Depot. (Neither Westinghouse nor Home Depot have compensated me in any way.)


The kit worked incredibly well to transform the can lights into pendant lighting with minimal hassle. We got some great how-to advice from the Westinghouse Youtube video explaining how to install a pendant light with their conversion kit. According to Mr. CBD the kit worked just like it was supposed to. Obviously we needed two kits, one for each pendant light. I will warn you that when you look online for these kits their prices run the gamut from what I paid for this ($16.50 per kit) to as pricey as this: $59.00. So buyer beware on that.




Doesn't that look better? I must admit that it's been quite a process for us to get used to the new look, but overall we've been happy with the change.


And here they are when turned on. Due to the shape of the pendant there is a wide shadow on the ceiling when the light is turned on. At first it was annoying but now we don't notice it. Thankfully it does not diminish the light we receive in any way.


I wanted to use an Edison-type bulb due to the style of the pendants. I purchased the most popular "vintage" style brand but the light was just too yellow. Disappointed, we went back to the big box store and found these.


They're 60W incandescents. I think they're in keeping with the industrial look and they put off a nice white light we all can live with. Overall we were quite pleased with the quality of the Parrot Uncle pendants, although they did not come with their own installation instructions. (I would check on this with Customer Service before ordering to ensure that you get instructions with your purchase.) Lucky for us the style was pretty standard as far as pendant lights go and the Westinghouse video went a long way toward explaining how the whole process should work. Check out Parrot Uncle and you'll see just how many different types of lights they have to offer. From my industrial farmhouse pendant to handmade wooden pendants, I really think there's a style for just about everyone!

Most people redo their kitchen and probably replace the lighting last. We've replaced the lighting first. So what's next? Well, painting the cabinets white, for one. And painting over those mini-murals with a color as yet to be determined. I would so love to get rid of the soffits but I'm afraid that might be just a bit too involved for our budget right now. In the meantime I'll enjoy the lights and dream of the day when those dark cabinets turn white and we're finally rid of those 1980's-looking gardenscape murals. But enough about me. Are you feeling lucky?