We are removing soffits in our kitchen. The lighting for the counter area is currently in there. Once the soffits come out all we'd have is very high ceilings that are really part of the family room. So, we decided to build out ceiling from the kitchen so it extends to the countertop. We are hanging the pendends from that. May not be an option for you however. I'd like to hear what other have done with high ceilings.

What's the wattage of the mosaic mini pendant? I would think using the light that mimics your vent hood would probably look okay if the sink isn't too close to the peninsula, assuming the wattage is high enough of course. The only concern I would have is a pendant over me instead of over the sink area; might not give appropriate light. Is the vent working? If not, could you take it out? Or maybe doing two smaller recessed lights on either side of that vent (depending how big it is across your sink area) would work better; then you would have the light properly over the sink? Hope those thoughts are of some help...

What is the voltage at the orange connector? It looks like the type I have on several LED strips, which are low voltage - either 12 or 24. If you can find an LED pendant (WAC and others make them) with the same voltage, you can do what you propose. My guess is that there is a low voltage power supply buried somewhere in the fixture, which is connected to the 120 volt line.

Not to be discouraging, but that may be beyond the skills of a self-described "beginner DIYer." Here is the issue: where the wiring for each of those pendants goes into the ceiling there is an electrical box where the connections are made, and recessed lights require the installation of a can that is installed in the ceiling and would be placed where those electrical boxes are. Here are the steps you would need to do for the install: 1. Turn off the breaker serving that circuit. 2. Disconnect the pendants and shove all the Romex wires out of the holes where they come into the boxes. 3. Physically remove the boxes -- which could be mounted in a variety of ways that you can't access unless there is an attic above that ceiling -- without damaging the sheetrock. 4. Take the Romex wires at each location and do the electrical connections into the boxes that are part of the recessed lighting can; then install the can in the ceiling. (Note: you will need to use a type of can that is called a "rework can" in order to be able to install it in the ceiling by working from below. You can only use a standard, "new work can" if you have an attic space you can work in above the ceiling.) 5. Lastly, be aware that cans are much larger than electrical boxes and you may encounter obstructions in the ceiling space from ductwork or framing that might prevent you from putting in a can exactly where you the existing boxes are. That would mean relocation of on or more cans and patching of the sheetrock. If that sounds too challenging for your skill set, you'll need to employ an electrician. An alternative would be to get low profile lights that surface mount on the ceiling, which would avoid you having to bust out the existing electrical boxes since surface mounted lights typically have their connections made in electrical boxes like you presently have.