What lighting should you use for 12 foot ceilings?

We are converting a workshop into a studio-type apartment. We currently have fluorescent lighting and don't intend to keep it. We want to know what lighting we should use. The colors in the room are very dark so we think hanging fixtures with 100 watt bulbs. The room is 40 by 25 and we'd like to keep things as inexpensive as possible. 4 hanging or 6? Is hanging best? Stick with fluorescent? Thanks.

I would get some really nice track lighting that has the kind that has the hanging down kind , or some really nice lamp's with some lanterns. Or the tall standing lamps in the corners , but since its pretty tall I would go for the track lighting so you get it all covered in light.

Good question. As a professional lighting designer I recommend fluorescent fixtures only for large commercial spaces such as offices and corporate settings. In residential they usually plague homeowners in the kitchen, where the builder literally slapped the fixtures up for cost efficiency. For your situation I would highly recommend 6" line voltage (120v) recessed lights. Of course this requires you have either a sheet-rock or drop-panel ceiling, and NOT a concrete ceiling. I would space them 3/4 of the distance between floor and ceiling (3/4 of 12 is 9'...so 9' apart, and 3' off the walls) - in symetric lines. It is very easy to do recessed lighting layouts.

Consult http://www.Howtobuylighting.org for a very good chapter on recessed lighting

I would also use 120watt narrow-flood bulbs, which will give you a much brighter "spread" from such a height. I wouldn't recommend hanging traditional fixtures from your ceiling, as you'll need quite a few to cover that square footage.

Good luck!

i would go with photo flood lighting with the reveal 75 w bulb I've seen it its awesome

I have 10' ceilings and used lighted (four bulbs per fan) ceiling fans with the drop down rods (don't go with the ceiling hugger type). The kind with hand held remote controls are nice because most have the feature of being able to adjust the lighting from bright to dim. Use the CFL bulbs because they will save on energy or also because you could increase the wattage for brighter lighting (while still saving on electric). I believe a 25 watt CFL bulb is equal to a 100 watt incandescent bulb. Additionally, the use of ceiling fans will really help out on your energy bills in regard to heating and cooling, especially with 12 ceilings (trust me).
As for how many to install, it would depend, as they come in different sizes. Don't go with real small ones in a large space though. If this is going to be an open concept type of apartment, I would place them with how your living space will be designed. But if you are going for a uniformed look without regard of where furniture will be placed, I would think that four large sized lighted fans would do the trick.
Depending on the look you want to achieve (modern, Victorian, etc) there are a lot of styles to choose from. The brushed nickel with wood blades that will match your decor is a nice modern look.
Good luck to you.

How about recessed lighting?