Sconces as kitchen lighting are a thing. Brass sconces even more so, though many of the examples I found sport matte black metal sconces. The most popular places to mount said sconces are over the kitchen sink or over the also mandatory open shelving.
Mixing metals is key to this look. For example, brass sconces with a matte black pendant light, as Boston-based interior designer Jen Cavorsi did in her recent kitchen renovation that I wrote about in Boston Globe Magazine last month. (First photo below.)
When we redid the kitchen in our bungalow in Chevy Chase we put three industrial style chrome and ridged glass sconces in; sconces would have looked fantastic over the sink. In Boston, we’re recessed lighting only, though I suppose we could add kitchen island pendants.
I’ve been starting to think about what to do for lighting in the Florida condo. It’s a tiny kitchen. There’s a bright recessed light over the sink. And a bare bulb jutting out of the ceiling with exposed wires in the middle of the space. I sort of forgotten that I needed a fixture until my mother-in-law asked what was going on there.
So, I’ve been perusing kitchen ceiling lights from Lumens and such sites for practical ideas. I don’t think a pendant would work in the center of such a small space—it will have to be a flush ceiling mount fixture—but I wonder if a sconce could work over the sink.
In any case, that’s a whole other conversation. Today it’s 15 kitchens that successfully incorporate both sconces and pendant lights.
Boston Globe Magazine • Photo by Jessica Delaney
Designer Jen Cavorsi used matte brass sconces from Schoolhouse Electric over the sink (notice the coordinating brass kitchen faucet too) in her own kitchen in Milton, Massachusetts. Across the way, a butcher block slab on metal legs is illuminated by a black and brass globe pendant from Rejuvenation.
BHG
Textural wood kitchen cabinetry with a Mission feel have marble countertops. A glossy gray subway tile backsplash sports a trio of matte black metal swing arm sconces, and that same Rejuvenation pendant complete the look of this new but personality-filled kitchen.
House Beautiful
Grey cabinetry looks gorgeous with brass hardware in the kitchen. White and clear glass globe pendants with a brass hanging rod coordinate with cute brass ball sconces hanging over the sink. Note how the large hex tile flooring makes an asymmetric border against the dark wood slats.
Architectural Digest
An art collector’s home on Martha’s Vineyard plays off the wood slat cathedral ceiling with wood slat flooring, brown chairs, and black sconces mounted to the wood trim of the mezzanine. Four of the skinniest cylindrical pendant lights I’ve ever seen hang over the marble topped island.
Design Manifest
In this kitchen designed by the blogger behind Design Manifest has brass sconces over the sink. Grey cabinetry gets brass hardware and there’s a brass faucet as well. I’m not crazy about those brass lanterns above the island style table, but perhaps they’re salvaged from a dining room of yesteryear. If so, extra points for being green.
BHG
Personally I could do without the floral Roman shade, but the aged brass pendant light over the black painted island is a nice touch. Chrome sconces add light over the farm sink with an fancy polished chrome faucet. Marble countertops and light gray cabinets are classic perfection.
BHG
Black scones and blackened metal vintage style pendant lights over the island add age and interest, as does the rustic wood ceiling, to the shiny new seafoam tile backsplash and hunk of stone on the island.
Bliss at Home
A shiny new kitchen reno by the Bliss at Home blogger sports brass hardware that updates standard white cabinetry. Floating shelves in black with brass brackets coordinate with the kitchen’s lighting choices: a polished brass pendant hovering inside a glass globe, a black ceiling fixture over the table, and accordion sconces over the shelving.
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In this rustic-meets-modern black, white, and wood kitchen, vintage style swing arm sconces hang over open shelving (a popular look of late), while shiny copper cylinders with bare bulbs are suspended from a distressed copper rod above the rustic wood dining table on industrial metal legs. A black bentwood dining chair adds a mid-century touch. Finally, those limed oak floors reign Scandinavian supreme.
Domino
A faded kilim adds a spot of color in this white kitchen with butcherblock countertops and rustic wood ceiling. Vintage white metal lights in just slightly different styles contrast the clean white cabinetry and painted white wood floor.
Rue Magazine
Interior designer Melinda Faranetta goes for on trend deep blue kitchen cabinetry which stands out against well-worn wood floors. The honeycomb backsplash is a touch of modernity while a black metal sconce contrasts the curvy glass pendants over the island.
HGTV
Interior designer and “Real Potential” host Sarah Richardson opted for a crisp and pretty cobalt blue, white, and brass scheme in this kitchen, mixing romantic brass chandeliers with mini clear glass globes over the island. There’s a brass sconce tucked between the cabinetry on the wall, but it’s actually for candlesticks.
Vintage Whites Market
In the simple cottage-style kitchen belonging to the bloggers behind Vintage Whites Market, a distressed green island and a line of wood cabinetry gets a white ceiling fixture and a pair of polished chrome swing arm sconces with dome-shaped shades by Rejuvenation.
Rejuvenation Lighting
Old World brass trimmed milk glass globe pendant infuse a traveled feel into this kitchen with black cabinets with metal hardware and basic white subway tile. A brass swing arm sconces add extra light over the sink. Note they didn’t go for the brass faucet, opting instead for a contemporary chrome style.
Jessica Helgerson Interior Design • Photo by Lincoln Barbour
Jessica Helgerson nails it in creating this modern Mediterranean kitchen with a well-traveled feel. Black cabinetry is rendered seamless paired with a black range, while brass hardware and aged brass dome pendant lights add even more richness. The lustrous wood island with barley twist legs is a piece of furniture and the Mediterranean tiles make you never want to take your eyes off it.