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Lamps In the Kitchen: What Do You Think?

2008_11_04-Lamp.jpgThe votes are in, and we have a winner! Well, for one contest anyway. Our Fall Colors contest winner was announced yesterday, and Midwest #11: Jesse's Tuned In Space took top honors. One thing that stuck out to us in his very chic kitchen was the lamp next to his stove. We've seen lamps in the kitchen before, and we're curious what you think.

 
 

Small Cool 2008 entrant Midwest #21: Carla's Grand Ave. Home also had a lamp next to the stove.

We have a few dark corners in the kitchen - notably one over the sink - and we're wondering if a pretty lamp on a shelf is the answer. Do you have a lamp in your kitchen, or do you think this is a fire hazard/grease magnet/impractical solution?

Related: Look! Vintage Menu Board

Comments (15)

hmmm, not so much!

posted by Ta on November 4th 2008 at 7:45am
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Not so much for me either. It would take up valuable counter space and use one of my precious (and few) outlets.

And I can definitely see the lamp shade taking on odors and/or grease. Keeping it clean would be a challenge!

posted by Shana Lee on November 4th 2008 at 7:56am
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It looks nice in these apartments, but I imagine the owners don't cook much. Considering the nasty film that accumulates on my (extremely ineffective) hood vent, I imagine a lamp would be filthy in about 5 minutes.

Maybe if the shades were metal instead...

posted by ottan on November 4th 2008 at 9:43am
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I love the warm homey look of the lamps but have to agree with everyone that the greasy lampshade factor is a problem. I have three of those tiny Ikea clamp-on lights in my various dark corners and they work really well. including over the sink and next to the stove.

posted by Dana V on November 4th 2008 at 9:56am
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I love the warm, lived in, welcoming look of incorporating the lamps (as well as other furniture that is traditionally not in the kitchen) in these spaces. Obviously it doesn't work for everyone but I like the look.

posted by kkbutler on November 4th 2008 at 10:41am
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It's not for me. My kitchen is very small, and counter space is so limited that I couldn't possibly justify adding a lamp.

posted by Stiletto on November 4th 2008 at 10:54am
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it looks great if no one cooks -- which would drive me nuts! (I keep imagining all the grease and spatters...) So a definite "no".

posted by mschatelaine on November 4th 2008 at 11:03am
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I agree with it looks stunning but that's if you don't cook. Would definitely not work in my small kitchen.

posted by E.I.F. on November 4th 2008 at 11:16am
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I agree with those who like the look but find it for one reason or another impractical for a high-use kitchen. I wish I had a larger space, then maybe I could have a nook with a lamp for setting my cookbooks/computer when menu-planning!

posted by ejbrammer on November 4th 2008 at 12:36pm
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I think it would be a grease spattered mess beside my stove, but I love this kitchen, and all the rest of Jesse's house.

posted by Kate (NC) on November 4th 2008 at 8:58pm
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I have a lamp in my kitchen -- granted it's not that close to the stove -- and I cook. I hate the lighting from my ceiling fixture and do not have under the cabinet lights so I have a small lamp that I use.

To be honest, it doesn't get greasy and it gives a great cast to the countertops where you do all your work. I love it.

posted by thirdcoastgirl on November 5th 2008 at 5:16am
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I'm very liable to knock the lamp onto the stove or to splatter sauce all over the shade. It looks good, but it wouldn't for long in my kitchen.

posted by brittanykate on November 5th 2008 at 7:09am
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This place is creative and gorgeous--plus, it's my own town! I absolutely love the counterintuitive approach of adding items to the kitchen you wouldn't typically find there, like what seems to be a small couch by the kitchen table, the dresser, etc. The lamp perfectly defines that look. For that reason, it looks perfect there. Whether or not it turns into a mess is something only experience can speak to.

posted by CarrieO on November 5th 2008 at 8:24am
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I absolutely love it and it's definitely one of those things I'll try out if I find the right lamp. For me it would have to be a small one though, and I'd put it in the window... far away from the stove and not taking up counter space. It would be really cool in one of those metro shelves as well (no space for that in my kitchen though)
http://www.notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

posted by Harpa on March 16th 2009 at 5:42am
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I remember when I was younger, my parents had this small lamp with the cutest little lampshade from pottery barn that was beaded. I wish they still had it!!
It was small enough so that it didn't take up counter space and it was the perfect touch to a fabulous kitchen.

posted by cubbieblue854 on March 25th 2009 at 7:16pm
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