In my opinion, I would use the recessed lighting and other layered lighting that is in your plan. I would not add a centered light. I think you will have a cleaner, more contemporary look without the additional light. I put recessed lighting in two kitchens and was extremely happy with the result. If you feel more light is needed, you could always add additional recessed lighting in center of the wider room.

Yes, they definately should have been closer to to the upper cabinets from what you describe. My kitchen installer marked the plan with the measurements that would make the lights center on each upper cabinet but be as close to the cabinet as possible. You want the light between you, standing at the counter, and the upper cabinet so you do not throw a shadow on the counter you are working at, which is what happens if the light is behind your head. Think of it this way, your base cabinets with counters are at least 25" deep (24" deep cabinets with 1"+ counter overhang. Your upper cabs are only 12" deep. You want the cans in that 12" space over the countertop. I had them put mine just a couple of inches beyond the upper cabinet. That way, even if I am bending my head forward or leaning over a little, none of the light is blocked and there is no shadow over the counter I am working at. UC lights are great for lighting the area under the cabinets, where the upper cabs cast a shadow. Using both, you would be amazed at the difference in lighting, and will end up with true "task" lighting with no shadows. I would think the areas on both sides of the range are prime work spaces that will need something. Even without upper cabs, if the lights are behind you, you are going to be working in shadow. Flurescent UC lights do not get hot at all. Even pucks or leds would help, although the pucks do get hot from what I understand, another reason I chose not to use them. Sue

@User, "The one shown below is very effective as long as its below eye level and the wall is over 8 ft tall." I assume you meant to say as long as it is above eye level? In the pic above, the left side is about 9' tall to the underside of the beam and the right side is about 11.5' to the underside of the beam. I alluded to this before. In addition to wall sconces for general lighting, maybe I can use this wedge light for example further up the wall. How far down from the ceiling should something like this wedge light go? In the addition, we have the same kind of ceiling but it starts around 11' and goes up to 15' to the underside of the beam.

Photo has to be a jpeg format to post, I'm pretty sure. I thought people were objecting to the star light specifically, and I agreed with that. But perhaps it was any surface mount. Whatever. I think those smaller lights are adorable (yes, like your clock.) I had saved a white s.m. that I've been thinking about to replace our can lights but I couldn't find it, so grabbed Schoolhouse. I haven't seen these fixtures used that often yet, but I have been loving them. ETA: Found it but can't post photo, lol. It's from The Current Collection, small, white hand thrown ceramic and the bulb doesn't show, Without seeing your ceiling can lights, I can only guess, but I'm guessing small surface mounts could look great in your kitchen.