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Sorry wrong picture how do you delete it??

This would look nice

I like this

How about this

Thanks Oskuee - gorgeous, but I am wondering whether I should go for something that doesn't hang as the ceiling is quite low. Any other ideas?

What style of pedant lights had you been looking at? You might be able to find similar style as flush mount.

For example:

Alternatively, you could forgo the central light and have subtle downlights then have some feature wall lights.

Even though the ceiling is low the dining light can be hung lower if it is over the table. Mine is 770mm from table top to bottom of light & 900mm from the ceiling which is 2400 high. This allows people seated at the table to still see each other but helps create the more intimate mood in the dining room.

If it is hung close to the ceiling then that is a more traditional look if that is what you want.

I really like this one for your space as it is light & airy which would help to push the ceiling away. Have you taken the measurement from floor to ceiling?
Do you plan to paint the walls at all & what style do you prefer to decorate the room?

If you were intending to put dining table directly under pendant then ok. If not then I'd go downlights with dimmers if poss or if that require too much electrical work a fixed ceiling light. You can always have lamps or sconces to give more ambience I really like the pendants you can adjust from ceiling to lower over table But again depends where you put your table

I think downlights might be hard to retrofit in that ceiling & would add light but not interest even with dimmers. Of course the addition of interesting décor helps but it is an opportunity to make the room special starting with a beautiful pendant.

I like the idea of setting a beautiful scene in the dining room & it would be a good start with using a pendant light. Due to the more traditional balustrade style it would suit an elegant pendant light & the dining table is oval which is also a more traditional shape.

A chandelier would also be a nice choice...

A pendant light will always lower the ceiling height however if it's centred over a dining table this only adds to the ambience. I generally recommend the lowest edge of the pendant sits about 900mm above the table top.

The style of the pendant depends on your chosen design style. I note that the balusters on the handrail are carved, and that these and the skirting boards & architraves are all stained and lacquered. This usually indicates a traditional style. If you painted them 'white' or another light neutral, the design style would be more classic or even modern classic depending on the furniture you put with it. You haven't said what style your table is.

Generally unless your design style is eclectic, I recommend your pendant coordinates with your design style. The images in the other comments range from contemporary with a retro bent (the first few images), to classic and then quite traditional (the last image). Choose your design style, then choose your pendant. :) One last piece of advice, make sure the size of the fitting is in proportion to the size of the table, assuming the table is also in the right proportion to the size of the space. A photo of you final choice over the table would be fab!

Hi again, I had a look at your idea book and it looks like you prefer more modern style, so I had an idea. I must say I love mirrors and it would be great to have back wall lined with a mirror top to bottom,whole wall and a modern chandelier above the table which would reflect in the mirror, paint walls and ceiling same colour to loose boundaries and nobody will notice low ceiling. you can create lots of drama or whatever look you like. Give us some ideas of what lights you like.

Mirrors in the dining rooms are very good feng shui as well

track light 700mm off the back wall. with 3 led lights.
remove the light in the middle of the room and install a ceiling fan.

Firstly - thank you everyone for your fantastic ideas. I absolutely loved the light and airy Look especially!

I have been visiting various lighting stores today and other online sites and then went back to the house and I am not sure that I have reached any useful conclusion!

My latest thought (which may change!) is that I have a lot of beautiful Aboriginal artworks so I am thinking this room might showcase all of that and have a warm light to complement - possibly brass, but maybe even a completely out of the box modern fitting as a juxtaposition to the gorgeous art.

Your great ideas have made me more comfortable again with a pendant over the table, but a lot that I saw today was chrome which doesn't thrill me.

I hope to change the balustrades in the next couple of years to something more contemporary also.

Thanks for keeping the ideas flowing!

Maybe in black , brass will be out of fashion soon and doesn't go with aboriginal art. Get a mirror somewhere in there. Show us the end result.

Someting like this

love that wall oskuee..the second last photo..:) gives me idea for my next project :)

I think that Tom Dixon light fitting is stunning especially when lit. It should work well with your Aboriginal art. It usually comes in a few different diameters so you should be able to get one the right size for your table.

I believe that to make your space appear more voluminous, you may need to consider a line of LED lights right where the mouldings meet the ceiling (possibly with diffusers). The LED's nowadays can be quite discrete and you can even change the colours so you can modify the mood of the space. I am an artist who uses light to shift the perspective on my paintings. I think the same could be used here, the lighting and possibly a good colour choice on the walls could really increase the spatial depth of your room. And, the modern feel of the LED's could complement the more traditional aesthetic of the room.