While I'm at it, we've really been struggling picking out chairs for the kitchen table. Really wanted these but we've been jerked around since prior to Thanksgiving (out of stock and we keep getting pushed back).

http://www.gowfb.com/2-PC-Lily-White-Leather-Side-Chair-Set-by-Alphaville-Design-p-56301.php?products_id=56301

We've gotten a couple of other sets as well but they've looked terrible and have been sent back. Do you think we should keep looking for white ones? Would black work (a lot easier to keep clean)? Something else? Table has two leaves so we'll need 6-8 of them. Would like to keep the budget around 1K... hopefully less (but cold go above if something great came up).

Oh, and feel free to offer suggestions to replace the hideous curtain covering the sliding doors!

Cheers

Your kitchen is spectacular. *And I generally prefer more traditional design, but yours is spectacular.

I love looking at lighting. What do you think of this one
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Cortona-1-light-Mini-Pendant/4470363/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Crystal-Shade-3-light-Pendant-Chandelier/4585274/product.html
or this one- http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Modern-Black-3-light-Pendant-Chandelier/4512398/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

very different but I think they both would look nice in your space.

Hi there, Your kitchen is beautiful. Very urban chic. For the lighting over your island I would suggest 2 stainless steel sleek pendant lights. For chairs, maybe a banquette (sorry the spelling) on the wall that could also be used as storage. An area rug would warm the place up a little. Plexiglass chairs would be great! But for a more affordable price maybe something that would look like your stools. They are great. For the curtains, some horizontal large white blinds or grey metallic would be fine also. Why horizontal blinds? /because your kitchen is very linear and strait forward. The metalic would definitively match your backsplash.
Good luck

Thanks for the help and compliments. I had a pretty long thread going with some before/during/after pics but it seems to have vanished (from about a year ago)? It's been a long and grueling process but very rewarding now that we're seeing the light (ha!) at the end of the tunnel. Luckily I've had a lot of help along the way from family and friends and GW.

I made a separate thread for the chairs in the decorating forum with a bunch of options/pics. Decided that's more of a priority (lighting is livable for now but we REALLY need a full set of chairs). Here's the link so if anyone has anymore input i'd appreciate it:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0310190713898.html

As far as the lights, here's a couple of options I've found we like. If we do the single pendants can we hang 3? I think odd numbers look better but I know it's kinda tight.

Thanks again for any help and opinions.

Beautiful kitchen. I like the first and third pendants for your kitchen. Don't like the hanging wire in the last one. You could also go with white frosted glass or even bring in a bright color for accent - you could pick up a color from your painting. For the window a contemporary shade or contemporary shears with a slight vertical texture would look better than the heavy drapes you have now. I'm dealing with the same issue in 2 rooms of my house.

If we were to go with something like the first style (sleek, single drop pendants) how many would be best... 2 or 3?

The island is just about 6 feet in length.

My peninsula is going to be 66 inches and I thought I could save and get away with only 2 pendants but my designer/architect, who I trust, said definitely 3. So 3 it will be. Not sure if that extra 6 inches would have made a difference in his decision but I don't think so. I've always heard that an odd number is better. My next door neighbor just put 2 contemporary pendants from ABC Carpet over her island and they look really great but they are larger in size and heavier looking than the ones you've chosen.