Kitchen design and lighting have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of the singular choice between overhead fluorescent lights or Tuscany-inspired lampshades.
Nowadays, there's a unique statement fixture for every kind of kitchen—fromfarmhouseto industrial to minimalist and more.
The best part about upgrading your kitchen lights is that it can be a standalone change (norenovationrequired) that immediately transforms the space from utilitarian to unique.
Looking for fixtures to tie your decor together and light the way for future gatherings? Here are five of our top picks for trending lights fromInstagramto help inform your next kitchen upgrade.
1. Dish lantern pendant
One of our favorite statement lights for a rustic or industrial-style kitchen is the dish lantern pendant, like these from@verandaestatehomes.
"Lantern pendants are great statement pieces for kitchen islands," says designerMeggan Fadden Wynja, of theColor Cord Company. "This grounds the kitchen island and creates balance. The dish-shaped diffuser softens the look by adding a natural element and providing a glow below with bright indirect light above."
If your farmhouse kitchen needs ambiance lighting (think: glowy evenings and soft mornings), look no further than these twin lantern sconces from@novelinteriors.
"These are classics for a reason," says Wynja. "They finish off a space nicely while providing the perfect amount of light—which will vary based on the shade's material. Fabric or glass provides the best luminance, but the trend of wicker shades adds a wonderful natural element."
Get the look:Add a dash of upscale glam to your farmhouse with a few of theseSussex shade sconces.
3. Vintage amber glass pendants
Another understated but powerful statement light we love? These gorgeous vintage amber pendants and the way they look in this "cottagecore" kitchen from@devolkitchens.
"These vintage amber glass pendants captivate with their warm, inviting glow, reminiscent of candlelight," says designerGuillaume Drew, founder ofOr & Zon. "Their popularity is due in part to the nostalgic atmosphere they create, which complements the current trend of blending modern and vintage elements in interior design."
For theminimalistkitchen that leans a bit industrial-modern, these otherworldly silver pendants from@settingforfourare our top pick.
"The industrial look has been in vogue for quite some time, and these chic silver pendants exemplify the practicality and sleek style of industrial design motifs," says Drew. "Their popularity lies in their versatility: They can adapt to various decor styles, from the ultramodern to the rustic, and offer a clean, functional aesthetic."
Get the look:Add a few of thesepewter calico pendantsto your kitchen to give it a bit of glam.
5. Double-head glass light
Looking for another light that works with many kinds of design motifs? Check out these larger-than-life glass pendants from@ruemagazine, the final light on our list.
"The double-head glass light fixture is beloved for its unique design and adaptability," says Drew. "It strikes the perfect balance between form and function, with multiple light sources that can be directed where needed, providing a bright workspace without overpowering the space."
Imagine living in a missile silo located in New York's Adirondack State Park, or at the top pyramid of the Smith Tower, once the tallest building in Seattle. Buying unique homes like these comes with challenges, however.
Buying an unusual house can be the adventure of a lifetime. The character and charm can express your creativity. But that creativity holds its own challenges, fromfinancing your purchasetoselling your house.
Unique homes are weird and wonderful, but buying and selling them may not be so thrilling. Here's what anyone interested...
The first day of spring has finally sprung. It's time to throw open the windows, let in the fresh air, and revel in some sunshine.
Once that's done—and stick with us here—spare some time for some easy home maintenance tasks.
Spring brings an hour of extra daylight, and you might now notice that all the ice, snow, and general wintry mix have given rise to small (but essential) home maintenance tasks you won't want to skip this season.
We know, we know—fixing up the house is not as fun as frolicking among the flowers. Yet a few minutes of upkeep now will help save you hours of headaches down the line.
Here are the six biggies you should tackle now, either by yourself or by hiring a pro.
Baird & Warner has been around for 170 years, and in that time Chicago has been the epicenter for many pivotal moments in the civil rights movement. This long history has given company leadership the opportunity and the privilege to be a voice for justice. Today, we continue that work through Good Will Works, the multifaceted charitable arm of our company giving mission.
The month of April, in particular, provides a special opportunity to revisit that mission, reflect on how far we've come and chart the path forward. April is Fair Housing Month, and this year commemorates the 57th anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, and marked a major milestone in the fight for housing equality. It prohibits discrimination in housing due to race, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.
A Legacy of Fighting for Fair Housing Rights
In 1962, the late John Baird — former president of Baird & Warner and father of current president Steve Baird — took action in the fight for fair housing. At the time, some civic leaders and those in powerful Chicago real estate circles felt that anti-discrimination laws would infringe on the rights of property owners. In reaction to this, John testified before the Chicago City Council and the state General Assembly. He even left his position on the Chicago Real Estate Board when it chose to oppose fair housing rights.
The John Baird Scholarship Fund
In honor of John Baird's legacy, Baird & Warner established the John Baird Scholarship Fund to support students in the Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law) Fair Housing Legal Clinic. The clinic provides education about fair housing law to the public and free legal counsel to those in the Chicagoland area who have been illegally denied housing. They also provide legal assistance to public and private organizations that wish to eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
Habitat for Humanity and Homebuyer University Workshops
In 2022, we announced a multiyear Good Will Works partnership with Habitat for Humanity. We committed to providing a total of $500,000 over three years to support the organization in four main areas of programming — community engagement, affordable homeownership, education and neighborhood improvement. In addition to helping to build homes, direct support through neighborhood grants and educational programming on the history of race and housing, we also collaborate with Habitat to empower prospective homebuyers through Homebuyer University. Not only does this public course help to prepare families for homeownership, many experts from across our family of services volunteer as instructors.
KeysToHome and HomeEasier
We understand that housing is more than just a place to live — homeownership can be a pathway to financial stability, community enrichment and building generational wealth. Our HomeEasier workshops are free, informative classes that help prospective homebuyers get on the right path to achieve homeownership. In these workshops, participants learn about everything from the basics of financial planning to everything that happens before and after buying your first home.
Our mortgage partner Key Mortgage also offers KeysToHome, a transformative program designed to unlock your path to homeownership. KeysToHome workshops are aimed at those who have never imagined themselves as homeowners — from pre-purchase to closing and beyond, expert instructors help and counsel participants through the whole homeownership process.
Good Will Works
Through the charitable arm of our company, Good Will Works, we partner with organizations working in the areas of fair housing, financial empowerment and racial equity. As part of our mission, we partner with organizations working in the areas of fair housing, financial empowerment and racial equity — Spanish Coalition for Housing, YWCA Chicago and the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance.
You can view the full Good Will Works 2024 Community Impact Report here.
A Commitment to Doing the Right Thing
So much progress has been made in the arena of housing, but the reality is that many people still face housing instability, homelessness and housing discrimination today. As individuals, across our offices and as a company, we strive to make housing easier and more accessible for all. When people experience economic security and stability through homeownership, they're also more likely to invest back in their own community.
Fair Housing Month is an excellent time to reflect on the progress we've made, but it is also a reminder that there is still work to be done and an opportunity to set new goals. For more information about your rights and federal fair housing policies, visit the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) website.
We respect your concerns about privacy and value the relationship that we have with you.
Like many sites, we use cookies on our website to collect information to help improve your browsing experience. The cookies that we use allow our website to work and help us to understand what information is most useful to visitors.
RSS Feed
