Mark, thanks for your question, it's a good one because we're constantly bombarded by shows like The Block that are all based around trends and that can make us unsure about how our own home can fit into the current trend...or not. Firstly, can I reassure you that pendants are not a trend item, they've been around for ever (thank you how2girl for your image). When designing an interior, the rule is to design or decorate the 3 levels - the upper ceiling level (ceiling details, pendants etc), the mid height wall level (think artwork and tall lamps) and to decorate the lower level (rugs or decorative flooring). The most beautiful and interesting rooms draw your eye around the space, from floor to ceiling and back again, making pendant lighting an important stimulating feature in a space. Pendants also anchor a space. They say, I am here over the meals table or island bench and this is where we gather to talk, laugh and eat. I love them and use them and wall lights in preference to downlights whenever possible. Now just make sure that you still have adequate task lighting in your kitchen for the important things like preparation, cooking and cleaning up. Downlights serve this purpose well. LED strip lighting under overheads is a popular choice - I've done it under island benchtops and kickers as well to give that floating feeling and it looks amazing. But it doesn't provide you with overhead task lighting, and that's why I would use downlights as well. In answer to your question about whether to have an island bench or not, please forget trends unless you're reselling and even then you need to consider how much space you have and the flow of the room. If you could provide a sketch it would be easier to help you wth that specific question. Here are a few photos of one of our recent projects (still in construction mode so please excuse the surrounding mess) which show LED strip lighting, pendants and downlights in a kitchen, bar and casual living room (all in the one big open space). Hope that helps, Yelda xo :)

It might be worth while to consider the rest of the space also. Your breakfast bar/kitchen is located quiet closely to your dining table so depending on your kitchen space (apologies, I can't see too much of your kitchen from the photo) you might want to think about the overall style you want to achieve for you entire open plan space, and select pendants that would work for both your kitchen and dining. This is a project I worked on recently that shows how two different types of pendants can work harmoniously in the one space that is most similar to your kitchen and dining set up. Keep us posted on what you decide!

Kitchens have always been described as the heart of the home. So when you picture your dream kitchen, what sort of images come to mind? Are you loving the Modern Industrial style or maybe a Hamptons style kitchen is your current crush? Whatever you’re in to, we’ve got some amazing inspo for you! With so much inspiration floating around on the net, socials and glossy magazines, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of indecision. And just when you think you’ve nailed down the perfect kitchen, your thrown off track again because some other kitchen design pops up on Instragram. Creating a beautiful moodboard and pinning all your faves is the best way to start. Stalk all your favourite suppliers and designers social pages for up to the minute inspo. So then it’s just a matter of finding a common theme. It could be a cabinetry colour, backsplash tile, kitchen benchtop or even your tapware colour. Build your style from there. Maybe you pinned lots of black cabinetry, concrete benchtops and gunmetal tapware? Sounds like you’re into the Industrial Style. Crushing hard on marble benchtops, shaker style cabinets and polished chrome tapware? You’re definitely leaning towards a Hamptons style kitchen, for sure! If modern is more your style, you’ve probably got loads of neutral, clean finishes on your moodboard. White push-to-open cabinetry, stone benchtops and brushed nickel tapware is probably more your vibe.

Looks like the real estate agent photo is quite stretched and that the kitchen is quite small, largely because of that, I'd personally recommend having two medium size pendant lights hanging over your bench-top. As for the dining table, i'd recommend a glass topped dining table, so that light can flow through the glass, so you don't block yourself visually - and in essence, creating an illusion of a larger space then perhaps it actually is. Gabriella Otimi Hansel Gretel Australia