Wow! Thanks for the fast response! Yes to retrofit fixtures - the reno was done in 2009. The kitchen is on the first floor of a two storey home. I'm afraid full access to the ceiling is not on. The opening at the top of the diagram is, in fact, an opening and not a wall. It leads to what used to be our living room and is now our dining room. The dining room is lit by by a single chandelier of sorts on a dimmer. It works fine in all respects. As for that north area, the trim at the top of the pantries and the top of the upper cabinet above the fridge leaves a space of about 1-3/4". The trim itself is about 3/4" so there's about 2-1/2" up there. Would that be enough for a cove lighting solution? And, if so, do you think cove lighting would provide adequate light in that space? (It seems like the light would be pretty indirect and then, of course, there'd be the problem of getting power up there.) The space is pretty confined with only about 5' between the left and right sides. There's some but not a lot of natural light there. I don't think a pendant would work at all in terms of aesthetics. Plus it would likely get in the way when the pantries are pulled out. So it seems to me it's either the cove lighting solution, surface mount or can(s). If I were to use cans there, I'm not sure how best to place them. Seems to me the possibilities would be a) one in the centre of the area, b) one on either side or c) four placed near the corners of the corridor formed by the pantries and fridge, spaced a little less than four feet apart and forming a square. If I went cans, I'd probably lean towards a) or c). At this point, I'm leaning towards surface mount and replacing the existing overhead light with a matching light. So there'd be the three pots over the sink area, the existing overhead (replaced with a new surface mount) and a new light in between the pantries (matching surface mount). I'd probably have to find a way to go through three, maybe four joists, to run the power over to the new overhead light from the existing one. A bit of a pain but not undoable. That would leave one wall fish to get the power to the pots by the sink from the corner switch or the enOcean solution. I had a quick look at enOcean's website but I'm not real clear. How would that work? Would there be self-powered lights and a wireless switch? Oh, I'm also thinking about replacing our current wimpy flourescent under-counter lights with something newer, better and brighter. Any suggestions? I have absolutely no experience with lighting design so, although I've thought about it and done a bit of research at this point, I'm not at all invested in the solution I'm leaning towards at this point. I completely defer to your experience and expertise and would love to hear recommendations, if you have them. Thanks again!

hey namarie, both the fixtures you posted are so nice. where are they from? how about the goodman light from circa? it comes in a bronze finish which might work for you. it's one of my fave pendants.

I asked about guidance of height in consideration of husband s height and out lower ceilings. Forgot to mention I've read 50 articles on placement and I have the general area down, as well as looked at 800 lights myself. That wasn't helping, it's why I asked a direct question on height and size as gave my own direct measurements. A little guidance or a probing question is more helpful than ”your tile is awful” or ”just read the chart” because not everything falls into the chart. In a kind sense, I'll just say you seem to be a woman of strong opinions and great confidence in them. Perhaps I should have note of those traits, but I'm certain they should always be mixed with consideration and kindness. Something like ”perhaps your topic is over broad, consider are-asking just a, b, and c and include just this and we may be able to communicate better.” I've read and used a million HOUZZ articles as we approach being 3 or 4 weeks out from competing a house we designed and built almost entirely ourselves, self contracting the entire thing. I've now nailed down a stone person who just does counter tops and dropped a couple who seem to be just kitchen designers. I'm trying to decide between a couple styles of lights that I am learning terms for each day, and deciding size from a chart when your island is both super long (12 ft) but narrow 40 inches) is tricky, and I want to be sure that the style I choose will provide enough light to work with as we cook a lot. That involves narrowly down by practicality of styles, and not having used them and getting very little info on sites and even worse search engines, it is overwhelming. In the bathroom I'm not sure if, considering the sink is to one side of the countertop near the tower, the lights going over the too of a mirror would be better to go completely across the vanity portion or just centered over the sink with shelves to the side. If the latter, unsure if there is a way I can use sconce lights or no. Majorly, as wires are being pulled SOON, I needed to know the placement for him to do so, three large or two medium on island, and how to place lights and mirror over sink. I can pick them out fine once I figure that out. You were under no obligation to have helped, but a tone that was at best brusque and dismissive, and possible ruse, to myself as well as the other gentleman, must serve you well in your field I guess, I just don't see how. Perhaps it's all me as a first-timer. If so, my apologies. It took a lot for me to even try to ask the questions, and my apprehensions seem justified at the moment. I do appreciate your trying. Have a blessed day.

I agree the current pendants look good. If you don't like the visible bulbs, painting the shades as arcy_gw suggests might be an idea. Another one would be frosting the glass. This can be done inexpensively with a DIY spray product. You mention needing functional lighting though so this makes me wonder if the current lighting is simply inadequate? In that case, if the current bulbs are already maximum wattage, perhaps consider semi-flush mounts with multiple bulbs? Similar ideas as the pic bbstx posted. Found on Wayfair, all below $200: A cluster of "can" lights. Comes in white or black and gold (currently out of stock). Not sure if the look appeals but the installation idea might have merit. Frosted globes are simple and offer all around light. Depending on the issue that needs "solving", consulting a lighting expert at a good lighting store might be a good idea to see available solutions. (I say this because my kitchen lighting is woefully inadequate and had I consulted a lighting expert, I would have been enlightened as to options. Pardon the pun. :))