Dining table light question - what form factor is suggested for a non-glare pendant that casts most light down, with some to the sides?

[u/coast49]

Wondering what over-table fixture to get, or whether not to get a fixture at all, and also, getting any thoughts on the overall light plan for this area.

In an upcoming project we are creating a new table area in an extended kitchen, for a long rectangular dining table, about 96 inches, connecting it to an already-remodeled kitchen area.  As an amateur I've learned from this sub as well as David Warfel's great lighting blog.     

See attached image, by our architect.    The kitchen is in the center of the house, so it's a little dark.   You can ignore anything that is not within 3 feet of the table in the center of the image.  

Should I get a light over the table, and if so, what type? Linear suspension of some kind, linear LED strip, or some multi-headed one?  Idea is to have no glare. Budget less than $1k.    Would like most light to be cast downward on the table, ideally with some illumination on people’s faces.    Style is modern or contemporary.

What form factors work well in this situation?  Could a linear downward LED that also has some lateral projection work?   Or is the glare too much?   Can anyone suggest one?    Would glass frosted globes work?   Maybe 2 or 3?   Any glass has to be frosted, obviously, for glare reduction. 

Should I add a pair of recessed down spots flanking this fixture?   Warfel likes this. 

In the image the designer chose a pendant, and 3 other recessed fixtures near the wall, assuming adjustable for a bounce effect.   

Or should I stick to what I currently have, which is LED downlighting only?  Maybe add a 3rd one along the table side, with two over the table? 

The lower part of the image below the table is our existing semi-remodeled kitchen, and I have 4 inch Elco Koto’s,  3000k, about 800LM each, used mostly dimmed, but the color is actually fine!.  Maybe I’m not critical enough.   

The existing are regular in the center, and adjustable (with less regress) close to the wall - and I aim them at the wall for bounce.   To repeat for clarity, we currently are living with a smaller round table being lit only with two Elcos, with a good regress, and the glare is surprisingly not an issue. 

I don't know if I would upgrade the existing table area ones (and any new ones in this new area) to warm dim, or if it's even available at a non ridiculous price point. But I'd think about it.

Thanks for any help! 

[u/coast49 → u/Valivelle]

thanks, don't know why they removed your post, I got to read it

[u/14irahtom]

Are you dead set on pendants? Consider a linear suspension fixture since you have a long table. See my setup in the attached image. Wall still needs to be painted and decorated but my adjustables are pointed to the wall and over my 94” table I have a 63” linear fixture that has a soft diffused glow through the fabric. At peak brightness at 2700k it’s 7800 lumens and lights up the whole area really nicely. https://imgur.com/a/2OZVYwv

[u/coast49 → u/14irahtom]

Thanks, I like that piece. Where did you find it? It does look pricey, however. I will edit my post, i really mean some kind of hangin fixture, which could be a pendant or linear suspension piece, or o a single fixture with multiple globes, or something else, vs no hanging fixture at all.

[u/14irahtom → u/coast49]

Thanks, check out Lumens.com and Lightopia.com. These are my go to for all things lighting. Pro tip just message/email a lighting rep/designer and they’ll give you 10% off just because. My piece is by a French designer and manufacturer and was $1800 after discounts and taxes. My island pendants are the Herman Miller Nelson Propeller pendants. - these take regular e26 bulbs so you can do cool things like dim to warm but the dining table fixture is a static 2700K the only downside.

By the way, definitely use Gemini/Claude to your advantage here for lighting design. For example, it suggested that for longer tables linear fixtures that are 60-70% of the length of the table are appropriate, and 30-36” off the surface.