Why Your Lighting Choices Should Never Be an Afterthought
When designing a home, people often focus first on flooring, paint colors, or cabinetry. Yet Progress Lighting Surfrider Pendant and Everlume Recessed Lights prove that lighting is one of the most important elements in shaping both the look and the feel of a space. The right lighting doesn’t just brighten a room—it creates mood, enhances architectural features, and makes everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. Come inside our new lake home and discover why I am a self proclaimed lighting junkie!
Progress Lighting Surfrider Pendant
In our new lake house, one of my very first design decisions was selecting the Point Dume Surfrider Pendant from Progress Lighting. With our vaulted ceilings, I knew we needed a large, attention-grabbing fixture to anchor the dining area. The Surfrider does exactly that. Its bold scale makes it a true statement piece, while the soft light blue finish beautifully matches our KitchenAid range, tying the entire kitchen together. The pendant’s casual yet elegant look sets the tone for our home, and I love that it can be dimmed at night to create a cozy atmosphere. The durable metal finish is also practical—so easy to clean!
Aside from the captivating lake view, the Surfrider pendant is the first thing you see when you walk through the door, and it instantly elevates the space with its nautical designed and size. With our vaulted ceiling height, I chose to hang the pendant a bit higher so that there were unobstructed lake views.
Designer tip:
When hanging pendants and chandeliers over kitchen islands and tables, the bottom of the fixture should be roughly between 30 and 36 inches from the top of the table or counter top.
Everlume Recessed Lights
Of course, statement lighting works best when paired with functional task lighting. That’s where our recessed lights come in. We chose the Progress Lighting Everlume Collection low-profile, canless LED downlights, which are sleek and unobtrusive but incredibly versatile. They’re dimmable and offer adjustable color temperature, allowing us to shift from cool, bright lighting during busy mornings to warm, inviting tones in the evening. This flexibility transforms the kitchen from a hardworking space to a relaxing gathering spot. You can check them out here.
As someone who has partnered with Progress Lighting for years on my own home and design clients spaces, I knew their quality and wide variety of styles would make them the perfect choice for our lake home. From statement-making pendants to reliable task lighting, Progress offers options that blend form and function seamlessly.
When planning your next home project, don’t wait until the end to think about lighting—it deserves a front-row seat in your design process. After all, it’s the element that makes everything else shine. Choosing trusted options like the Progress Lighting Surfrider Pendant and Everlume Recessed Lights ensures you get both beauty and function that will last for years.
Family Room Design to Come
Looking ahead, we’re already dreaming about the next phase of our home renovation: transforming the basement into a family-friendly game room with a full kitchen. For that space, we plan to incorporate the Point Dume Hook Pond Outdoor Hanging Lantern over the game table. Its timeless design and warm glow will bring character and style to a space where we’ll gather with friends and family for years to come.
