Happy New Year to you all. We had a very relaxing weekend. Well, until yesterday! We started putting the Christmas décor away . . . and suddenly I had the brilliant idea to bust open a wall to add more storage. My poor husband. In between football plays he was one with his power tools. I will update you once the dust settles! {literally. . . there is a layer of white dust on most of our belongings. And oh him. Oh boy!} In the meantime, I need help!!! I need to shed new light on our dining area! One of my 2011 goals {which I will post this week} is to add some new life to our dining area. I think I want to move away from the red tones in the room and lighten things up. I know I want a new light. But do I repaint and go with the one I have or do I switch it out entirely. Here are a couple of shots of the area. 
{normally the leaf is not in the table so it’s a bit smaller} Here are some that I was considering. 
{pottery barn} The one above is my favorite of this bunch, but not sure it is right for the space. Cute though, right?? 
{overstock} 
{overstock} But then I came across these amazing pendant lights and drum shades from Shades of Light. I am completely smitten and really want to use one in my house somewhere. Is this the spot? Do you think one would look good above the table?
Is it just me, or are these really super cute? I think I am in love with all of them. So maybe I can’t pull of zebra in this space, but can one of them work? Feel free to weigh in. I am honestly paralyzed and can’t seem to make a decision at all. Does a drum shade work over this table?
That first one from shades of light is gorgeous!
Hi pretty lady! First of all, your hardwood floor is beautiful! I love plantation shutters, too. Okay, lighting. I adore the drum chandelier! I think a simple one, like the very first one you pictured would be lovely. I'm drawn to the little sparkle it has in the crystal! It could be the statement piece of the room and really glam it up! Whatever you chose will be amazing though, because this girls' got style (:
Hi Courtney. I agree with Michaela re: the drum shade with the crystal. It's simple but elegant. Otherwise I really loved the drum shade below it with the silver print also simple, but a statement piece. I hope the dust isn't too bad! 🙂
I'm loving the third one down ~ simple, elegant and will flow easily with a new coat of paint on the walls and curtain panels.
Jo
Our poor husbands…my husband thinks the cure for all of this house fuss is for me to stop reading blogs. What does he know 🙂 ? A drum shade will definitely work, but I would stick with simple so that you don't get tired of it and can easily change the decor w/o being locked into a certain color combo.
-Rene
Love drum shades and wanting them in my home too! Can't wait to see what you did! Also, I thanked you over at my blog {referring sites Thank You}!
OMG I love those drum shades, I can't even pick a favorite cuz I love them all.
You can totally move away from the red tones without painting. Changing out the curtains and accessories would be the first thing I would do, then if you are still not happy you can paint.
It's a gorgeous space so I don't see you going wrong here : )
Paula
I love number 3, but than again I am a sucker for drum shades 🙂 I also like number 2. Number 1 is [okay]… seems a little to 'coutry-ish' for me, but than again it really depends on the look your are going for. If you are going for something a little more modern, I would go with the drum shade. Something a little more cottagy I would go with number 2. Country – Number 1.
I love the lantern or the drum shade. It would definitely work in that space. Maybe select a simple drum shade and jazz it up with a thick grosgrain ribbon banding?
Hope you had a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!
Jade
There is an entire site dedicated to drum shades at http://blog.seascapelamps.com/category/drum-lamp-shades
Does anyone know just how much light they emit?
I like the drums… what about this one: http://www.jonathanadler.com/Small-Meurice-Pendant/?cat=667&initial= but I would get two if your space is big enough. Paint the walls griege, and maybe even the ceiling a darker shade. Candlelight Dupioni Silk Curtains!
Hm. Dilemma is right. I love drum shades (Sherry at Young House Love swears by them) but don't have any in my house. I always wonder if they're too modern/trendy looking. But I do LOVE the first drum light you showed. Simple, sweet and sophisticated! If you don't go with the drum light, I LOVE option number two. I think it'd be the perfect balance between casual and "fancy" and it would allow you to use whatever colors you want!!! Can't wait to see what you pick!! xo
The drum shades are perfect and I totally think you can pull off zebra!
If I were you Id be ripping out the current light fixture THIS MINUTE! I love drum shades…theyre very modern yet classy. And if you think you might possibly outgrow your love for the zebra one, you could always bring a zebra accent in somewhere else in the room…a runner, pillow,etc…
*If you have a drum lamp shade somewhere in the house, hold it up and try to visualize it in that spot. Ive been doing that and am trying to convince hubby we need to replace our iron candelabra type light fxtire:) He doesnt agree with me*
I cant wait to see what you decide to add to the space. I think it'll make a huge impact in the room!
I love the drum shade – I'm considering the same thing in my living room – I would love the first drum shade or zebra – I think it would definitely change the feel of the room.
Jennifer
http://www.bigdandme.com
I'm a little biased, but I love the drum shades. I kinda like the idea of one that makes a statement, if you ever tire of it they are easy to swap the fabric out.
i love the drum shades! and i definitely think get a new one, as the style you are leaning towards is so different from the one you have- just get rid of it and you will be happier! i like the chevron the best as the color is neutral and will work with the colors in your room, but it has that modern edge to it, too.
I think a drum shade would work great! I love the first one that you posted by Shades of Light..super chic. x
Love, love, love the 1st drum shade. Simple and classic! I wouldn't fear the amount of light it emits too much. During the day, you have plenty of natural light in that room and when I entertain, I always have mine dimmed anyhow because I love to use candles! I say, go for it. And yes, bless those hubbies who are willing to put up with us!
Those drum shades are TO DIE FOR! I love them all!
You could always paint the current chandelier and/or replace the shades. You could coordinate the shades with new lighter, brighter drapes…that would really lighten up the space! 🙂
Emily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
I would do one from the bottom set – I LOVE THEM – gorgeous!
Have fun in the room – I like that inset – very cool
You also have a MUCH cooler hubby than mine – no way he would have busted open a wall during football! LOL
Jenn
GreenDoorDesigns
greendoordesigns.blogspot.com
changing the light fixture will make a hugh difference! i love the one with the crystal accents! so simple & chic!! 🙂
http://www.creativeindexblog.blogspot.com
It's a perfect spot! I love the chevron patterned drum and the metal one from overstock!
Well, I personally like your dining room! But, I also understand wanting to change things. I really like the pendant lighting. My favorite of all the pics you posted is the one labeled "three". It's elegant but not too fancy. I think it would look great over the table. BTW – your hubby?? A saint. Mine would've looked at me like I was crazy & continued watching football!
I've been eying the cute PB one for my kitchen. I think it could be easy to make a knock off version with my dh's help! Love the drum shades, and ou could totally pull off the zebra one. It's great!
I love the simple drum shades, but I also love the one you have in the room… spray pain it black, put some new shades with clean lines on and it would look great
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I actually love your current fixture, maybe with new, simpler shades. But I also like the pendant and you can definitely pull it off!
I love the first one from Shades of Light! I wish I would've seen those before I ordered my office one from Overstock. You have a nice dining room. I bet if you replaced the large clock with a mirror, it would also add to the light feel you are going for.
p.s. I like your new font! 🙂
It's totally a great room! And excuse me, you busted a hole in the wall?!? Can't wait to see that!
Before you scrap your existing light fixture, try taking all the stuff off of it and maybe painting. (Check out my dining room chandy I updated). I don't love it, but I like it better for now. Until I figure what I'm going to do in that room. and I love a drum pendant…I rigged one up myself in my breakfast room. thanks for the reminder…I never posted it! 🙂
hi hot lady! I like the 3rd one from overstock. timeless but updated. 🙂 also like the opinion to bring in a mirror to lighten it up even more. 🙂 he he! okay, going to pick up the phone and call you now. 🙂 XOXOX
I'm having the same indecision… trying to find a pendant light for over our breakfast room table. The light I was picturing was alot like your first picture (Pottery Barn) but I ended up finding a cute, white pendant drum shade from Home Depot the other day. The only bad part is that the hardware is chrome which does not go. I'm not sure if I should paint the hardware or hold off for a different (more expensive) light. Sigh.
I love the drum shade that is the 4th picture. It's my favourite out of the bunch you posted.
Have you considered just changing out the tiny shades? I've seen some inexpensive light-coloured linen-y type ones at Lowes.
Good luck!
P.S. Sorry this is so long. :S
i vote for # 3!
Your room is gorgeous! I like 2, but I also like the drum shades. We have one over our dining room table, and I really like it.
i happen to be looking for a new chandelier. these are great!
Love the ones with drum shades. I could also picture a big glass fixture over your table to help with the lightening up you mentioned.
Ok, I'm late to the commenting party, but I LOVE these drum shades! I want to add one to my office and the prints on these shades are so fun.
I like your third choice, the white drum shade with the crystal. It will give the room a touch of glam. I think this option will have more longevity than those shades with strong patterns (although they are all very cute). Bring your pattern in on something that will be easier to change, like a table runner. You can't go wrong with some sparkly crystal and an elegant white shade!