Family Kitchen, Colorado, USA

An everyday family kitchen: white shaker cabinets, a marble-look quartz island with bar stools, stainless appliances and a window over the sink. It is the heart of the house, where breakfast, homework, late-night snacks and conversations with guests all happen around the same island.

A long island needs light that is spread evenly along its whole length rather than concentrated in one spot. Instead of two or three separate pendants, a single linear fixture keeps the ceiling clean and gives the island one clear visual line that matches the run of the cabinets.

The Albaredo per San Marco linear chandelier does exactly that. Five faceted crystal shades on a slim brushed bar give bright, even light for cooking during the day, and in the evening their warm glow reflects in the stone countertop and turns the kitchen into a cozy place to wind down.

The fixture is simple enough to suit a classic white kitchen, yet the crystal gives it a touch of sparkle that makes the island the focal point of the open-plan space.