I vote for option 2. The best lit rooms in my home are the ones with a pendant light surrounded by can lights.

DITTO!!!

We had a similar dilemma. We thought we'd put in track over the sink, looked too weird. Went w/ only recessed and then put in a small hanging fixture in the middle of the cooking space and a track over what will eventually become a peninsula, island type of thing. I have found that the recessed over the sink is nice b/c it lights that area well. So I vote for Option 2 as the most practical and pretty.

I would do pendants ove the island and a short (semi-flush) over the sink, with cans around the remainder of the perimeter.

Of course I think something else!
I agree with your husband that pendants in the middle of the room with 8 foot ceilings is a bit cluttery...you have such a nice vista to the clean tile wall and hood arrangement at your stove, and I don't think you need a middle distance focus in the air.
In our previous kitchen, I used cans in the ceiling in two zones (separately switched for the cooking part and the eating part, with switches at all the doors, so we could turn lights on and off both coming and going), and I put separate cans with their own switches over each doorway, and dimmers on everything. I also used sconces on the wall in the eating part. (That may be overkill for you...but I do recommend the switches at all the entry/exit points, and dimmers.

Then I put a rather substantial pendant (same range as the sconces) over my sink, and hung a roman shade from the ceiling to cover the top of the window...it furnished the space without getting in the way.

Here's pics...as you see, we had two distinct ends to the room - hence the split zones.
(the walls weren't this pink...they were a luscious peachy beige...they just look it in the photos...)

I vote for pendants over island and one over sink, leave can lights in rest of area but have them on different switches.

What it comes down to is form over function or function over form? If you choose function you would put pendants over the sink, the island and track lights over the stove....if you choose form you will choose nothing hanging...
Go the middle ground and choose option #2....you will love that bright light on the island.
Linda c

I started out with cans and then later converted 2 to pendants over the island. It's an easy change for later on...:0)

I vote 2 as well.

My vote is for #2. Not crazy about pendants at the sink, especially if there's a window. I have a single 6-inch can above the sink. In addition to the other cans in the room there are 2 (soon to be 3) pendants over the peninsula. Our ceilings are 8'. All lights have dimmers.

#2 also :)

I agree with the others to add more lights over the sink area. The span across my sink area is 7 1/2' and within that I have 4 recessed lights on a separate switch. I find that's my major work area and I LOVE the extra light. One can never have too much light in a kitchen........especially on a dark winter day!

Pendants aren't needed, but if you want the look I'd put them over the island.

Okay - talking to contractor and have problem with cans over sink area. There are trusses(SP?) dead center over each window, which is why the can in front of the sink is off center. Having two cans on either side (just off center of each window center) would look bad. Option - do track lighting over sink on existing centered junction box. I would put small lights that I could angle, etc. What do you think?

I'd ask him if he can install 2 cans an equal distance from the edges of the window instead of trying to work with the off-center can that is now in place. They'll have to patch but that's not too difficult. How wide is the area?

I think you'll be happier with cans than dealing with track lighting in that area.

Vote for option 2.

Browvynsmom your kitchen is so cute!

Centered junction box w/ one down light. I think that will be enough.

bronwynsmom....gheeeez, what a gorgeous kitchen!!!!

christy....your kitchen is going to be a knockout too. I have plenty of canned lights overhead in my kitchen and do not lack for light...no pendants.

I do love pendants though so agree with #2.

If this was my kitchen I would not add more than one type of light element. Otherwise it will be distracting. I vote for an elegant style pendant light (perhaps with 2 shades depending on the length of the island) and a matching pendant light over the sink that is the same style. Your kitchen is traditional so perhaps wrought iron or something with the decorating flavor of the rest of your home. Both lights on separate switches with dimmers. No track lighting...

Have you considered under counter lighting on a separate switch? I have it in my kitchen and love it.

I'd go for the two cans either side of center over the sink and pendants for the island. One offcenter can would bother me and I don't think you'll be happy with track lighting. Your kitchen looks really nice.

Bronwynsmom, love your kitchen too especially the pot and lid rails.