french kitchen lighting

by Sharon Santoni
[blank]A form of lighting that has been around for generations in France is the rise and fall ceiling light.  Working on  a pulley system, it is not only fashionable today, but also so practical to be able to alter the height of the light above a table or worktop.
They are so easy to use, to raise or lower, simply hold the shade lightly and push up or  pull down![blank]
[blank]Traditionally the light shade in made of opaline glass while the ceilng fitting and pulley system are encased in porcelaine.   This picture is an old light found at a brocante fair and luckily in good working order.[blank]
Today there are plenty of reproduction versions available, including double or even triple light fittings.  Metal has also replaced the glass and china, and there is a huge choice of colours.
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so what do you think?  like or unlike?  🙂
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pictures thanks to pinterest and google images[blank]

70 comments

Our French Inspired Home June 13, 2012 - 1:15 pm

Very much a like. We have looked at using these in our new home. Most recently I picked up a pair of desk lamps from Pottery Barn that function the same way. I've not seen some of the designs in your images, so I look forward to finding what else is out there.

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Mise June 13, 2012 - 1:15 pm

I absolutely dearly like these: simple industrial technology about the home is very appealing.

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MONICA LIVAS June 13, 2012 - 1:26 pm

Beautiful lamps!Thanks for sharing!

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Gatsbys Gardens June 13, 2012 - 1:58 pm

I really like this idea but have not seen them in my area of U.S. I will look for them, great idea for an island.

Eileen

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Acquired Objects June 13, 2012 - 2:00 pm

I really like it and have several fixtures in our home that use this up/down system, very handy!

XX
Debra~

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Vintage Finds June 13, 2012 - 2:05 pm

Love these but particularly like the photo of the vintage one you found! Jen x

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carolyn bradford June 13, 2012 - 2:34 pm

I personally love these and regret very much that I sold a beautiful one that we had about our pool table! I certainly feel like I could use one in my bathroom and kitchen especially when I need more light than normal! It would be a nice remedy I think! I hope you are doing well!
Carolyn

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PRINCESSGREENEYE June 13, 2012 - 2:37 pm

We have one of these old lamps in our kitchen – I like it so mutch !!!
a great post!
Jacqueline

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Faux Pas Farm Gal June 13, 2012 - 2:43 pm

I love these!!

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Debra June 13, 2012 - 3:03 pm

Love them, Sharon! I am in the middle of kitchen re-do that has been going on for years. I have slowly collected new stainless steel appliances, professional cooktop, etc. But, the cabinets, sink, & lighting just have to be right. Plus, of course, I want a kitchen that might look like one of your neighbors there in Normandy. I will not settle for less. Thanks for another great decorating idea!

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kathy peck June 13, 2012 - 3:07 pm

Love them, especially the vintage one – but they're all beautiful examples.

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Lori E June 13, 2012 - 3:22 pm

That is a great idea. Since I am only 5 feet tall though I doubt I could ever reach them to pull them down and if so I couldn't raise them up very high.

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déjà pseu June 13, 2012 - 3:25 pm

Love this idea! I like both the metal and the older glass versions. (We're looking to re-do our kitchen in the next year or so, keeping this in mind!)

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Sarah Malone June 13, 2012 - 3:31 pm

Love them Sharon!! I want one for over a kitchen sink in my guest studio. I am remodeling now and shopping light fixtures. Do you have one in your store?

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hopflower June 13, 2012 - 3:31 pm

oh, very much like!

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angiemanzi June 13, 2012 - 3:35 pm

Not only do I love the lights, J'ai beaucoup d'envie pour the kitchens!!! Love the ladders against the walls, I have a place in my kitchen where they would be perfect! Many thanks pour l'inspiration!

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A Daughter of the King June 13, 2012 - 4:16 pm

I adore pulley lights! We had one over our round kitchen table when I was a child and I haven't seen one since! You can't beat the functionality of this kind of light fixture!

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Jennifer June 13, 2012 - 4:29 pm

LIKE, very much. We had this type of light in our kitchen when I was growing up.

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Tara June 13, 2012 - 4:57 pm

Also like very much, just wish I had seen them before my kitchen re-do three years ago.

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Kris June 13, 2012 - 5:05 pm

Sharon,

Like! I had one in my last house over my kitchen table. It's wonderful to be able to raise and lower the light according to your needs plus it looks nice too. 🙂

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Mem June 13, 2012 - 5:18 pm

I really like these 'pull down' lights. I have been thinking of changing out my 2 spot lights for 2 of these…maybe I'll do it now.

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Michelle June 13, 2012 - 5:26 pm

LOVE!!!

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Julie June 13, 2012 - 5:35 pm

Love, love, love!

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charlotte June 13, 2012 - 6:30 pm

Very much like. I, too, grew up with one over the kitchen table.

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Ashley June 13, 2012 - 6:40 pm

These are fantastic!! ~Ashley

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brendam June 13, 2012 - 6:57 pm

Love these lights! Not so easy to find in Canada:( Our favourite French restaurant in Toronto uses them, I am always happy to see them. Makes me want to re-do my lighting!

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kabayoz June 13, 2012 - 7:59 pm

Love the red pull down light. Really like the the kitchens shown on top. The ladders leaning against one of the windows…cool.

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Diane James Home June 13, 2012 - 8:03 pm

Love, love, love! I would have them over an island and pull closer when I cook to see what I am doing and raise higher when the kids are eating at the island – wonder if they come on a dimmer for those more romantic island dinners?? Thanks for sharing, Cynthia

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Rowan June 13, 2012 - 8:22 pm

What a practical idea, I've come across them in dining rooms here but not in kitchens.

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Norma June 13, 2012 - 10:23 pm

I think it's a fabulous idea – and thanks for explaining how you actually make them move up and down – I've seen them in pics before and often wondered about that.

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Nib's End June 13, 2012 - 10:37 pm

Restoration Hardware in the US has some nice ones.

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Betsy Brock June 14, 2012 - 2:23 am

All of those lighting choices were lovely…but I couldn't stop looking at the floors…worn painted wood or slate…they were just wonderful!

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Jeni Maus June 14, 2012 - 6:42 am

Love it! That is such a brilliant design. I have never seen these, but would love to get a hold of one….maybe next time we shop together we can be on the hunt 🙂

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stadtgarten June 14, 2012 - 7:19 am

These lights are beautiful and a good idea for our kitchen in Provence. We are still collecting ideas…thanks a lot for the inspiration, Monika

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Victoria June 14, 2012 - 1:44 pm

I had one of these over the dining table on my screened porch. It was an oil lamp and it was lowered to light it. I love the old one you showed with the opaline glass shade. I saw some on a visit to Connecticut…beautiful and very pricey. My luck, I prefer the old to the new, more affordable ones with metal shades…the story of my life.
Best…Victoria

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Servies en Brocante June 14, 2012 - 2:03 pm

ohh dat floor in the picture with the red and orange chair i reaaaaly lovee
Nice weekend

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Anonymous June 14, 2012 - 2:38 pm

I Love them!!!!

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Carla June 15, 2012 - 8:22 pm

Love this. Can you tell me the source of this fixture? https://myfrenchcountryhome.blogspot.com/2012/06/french-kitchen-lighting.html

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Diane June 21, 2012 - 11:45 am

Hi,
I liked your blog and I personally invite you to join https://www.coollectors.com – The World's Free Collectors Zone.
We will also be happy to cooperate with your blog such as adding its link to our site.
All the best,
Diane
info@coollectors.com

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Peggy June 24, 2012 - 6:06 am

There was a pulley style copper light fixture in my parents' dining room (circa 1950s-1960s). I always loved the way it moved up and down. How I wish I had taken it when they sold the house. Oh well. Thanks for helping to bring out that memory!

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live sports June 27, 2012 - 11:21 am

nice

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good

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good

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nice

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the Social Bloc July 18, 2012 - 10:28 am

love it

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powerpoint-template July 18, 2012 - 10:28 am

awsum pics

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the Social Bloc July 18, 2012 - 10:28 am

good

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gr8

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kitchens cheltenham August 2, 2012 - 5:18 pm

There are basically two types of lighting in Kitchen, the functional lighting and the decorative lighting. For functional lighting popular fixtures are fluorescents, recessed lights, and low voltage lighting.

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good post

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nice

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great work

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discount products August 5, 2012 - 6:33 pm

great work

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Craft August 6, 2012 - 9:43 pm

nice

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Danny Joe August 16, 2012 - 10:57 am

I love the lighting in the kitchen. I agree that Ontario Residential Lighting is essential to great design, and it needs to be functional as well as beautiful. Great post!

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Richard Williams October 25, 2012 - 3:33 pm

I really like the lighting. Very classic old school lighting that you do not really see as much these days.

Great post!

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Ceiling Lights December 13, 2012 - 7:04 am

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bromsgrove kitchens February 9, 2013 - 2:08 pm

Choose fluorescent lighting if efficiency and the need to go extended periods without changing bulbs is foremost. Pop a fluorescent bulb into the fixture and just forget about it for months at a time.

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Layne Adams April 4, 2013 - 3:54 am

They look so beautiful and vibrant! So you need to take care of them. And if one lamp gets in trouble, you can always have lamp repair boston.

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Progress Lighting May 3, 2013 - 3:39 am

You have a classic setting and it looks really awesome. I love your lighting fixture.

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Hampton Bay Lighting June 5, 2013 - 5:52 am

Beautiful set of lights and is perfect for the place. Find the right fixture for your place.

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Lisabeth February 12, 2014 - 3:01 pm

Hi love the lights would love to know wherecto source them in France or UK. Thanks for any help.

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Kathy November 9, 2014 - 12:28 am

I’ve been looking for a U.S. source for the up-and-down version show show in your first photo. Do you have a source for them?

I’ve seen some others, but the cone of the shade is too narrow – I love the spread of this shade.

Thanks!

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Elisa November 14, 2021 - 8:04 pm

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