We finally found the perfect pendant for our breakfast nook

I wish I could say the first light I picked for our breakfast nook was the winner, but lighting is always one of the toughest design challenges. For this space, the saying "third time's a charm" definitely applies!

We wanted to replace the existing flush-mount fixture, but the search was a three-part battle: aesthetics, ambiance, and constraint. Beyond finding a visually appealing replacement and liking the way it casts light, we faced a major constraint: it must be a chain-mounted fixture. This was non-negotiable, as we needed to swag the pendant directly above the table, which limited our options.

My first two attempts were bell jar pendants. First, a vintage bell jar from a second-hand shop, followed a week later by a more modern, mirrored-glass dupe of the Chapman & Myers Ludford Smoke Bell Pendant. I planned to test both and keep the best, but I didn't truly love either one.

The issue was their shape and size. While pretty, both felt too large and too vertically elongated for the space, especially given our ceiling height, and they clashed with the circular shape and size of the dining table. The vintage one also felt a little too vintage for the room's overall aesthetic. Though I enjoy blending vintage pieces, my personal style consistently leans toward clean lines and bold, heavy shapes, enriched by a mix of rustic textures. The bell jars were quickly listed on Facebook Marketplace.

With the previous two bell jar pendants a no, I focused on finding a low-profile fixture that better complemented the table's circular shape. That's when I saw the Arely Pendant by Four Hands.

As soon as I unboxed this fixture, it immediately felt like the right fit. It has an open, airy design that perfectly balances my love for rustic intricacy with a more subtle vintage feel. Its circular form, defined by a shallow, downward-facing metal dish shade, beautifully mirrors and accentuates the table's shape and size. The details are gorgeous: tiny perforations around the shade's edge cast a delicate lacework of shadows, providing a sharp contrast to the pendant's industrial structure and adding unique character.

I absolutely love this light. It has completely transformed the look and feel of the space, and it even looks better in person than in online photos —that's a rare surprise!