A birdbath would be lovely surrounded by stepping stones interplanted with various low growers, such as herbs. I'm planning a similar area in a new bed I made this past weekend although I won't have 4 benches - lucky you. The birds will use the birdbath if there isn't a lot of activity going on while they're visiting. The one in the pic at the link is just steps from my deck and the birds are always flying in for a drink and shower regardless of whether I am out there or not. They ignore the kitties, as well. The birdbath turned planter in front of my porch was another place they visited when it still held water. We would sit in our rockers on the porch and watch while they played in it like children in a puddle. I'm looking for another birdbath for the spot since the old one isn't working out as a planter in that area. Or maybe I can patch the drain holes we drilled. Hmmm . . . must run that one by DH. ; ) Have fun and post pics when you finish! Diana Here is a link that might be useful: birdbath near deck

What makes me say "wow" when I see others' kitchens is if they look real, lived-in, have their personality. My kitchen, 2.5 years after its remodel, is more WOW today than it was in my "after" pics because now you know who lives there and that we really *live* there. Nothing about us is for show -- we are for comfort and function. There are doo-dads which are pretty, sure, but our kitchen works for us, baby! I have and will always love rhome's kitchen because it is warm, inviting and tells you so much about who lives there. I don't know her at all but I feel as if I do based on her kitchen. And I like what I see! I do have the delight and pleasure of knowing cat_mom and I feel the exact same way about her kitchen -- it's insanely gorgeous, and that's her. (she happens to be gorgeous herself!) She is sleek and modern and she looooves her cats, and it shows in her kitchen. Her kitchen (home) is also a space which is inviting and makes guests feel comfortable. That's my definition of wow. I'm excited for your project!

You all raise great points and I'll try to answer some here. No, I haven't seen them in person, which is partly why I asked the question about focal points - I think it's easier when looking at them up close and online to obsess rather than once you see them hanging. Plus I'm not sure about the glare. I think they are beautiful, but I wondered if IRL they would just look like any other type of glass pendant. I actually found them here but I can't remember the user's name. They looked beautiful in her kitchen, though. NYCbluedevil, your beehive pendants are part of my inspiration! I loved them but they are WAAAY out of my budget. I do wonder about the shadows and glare to some extent - both my parents had migraines and I occasionally get super horrible headaches (not sure they're technically a migraine or not). However, I have good recessed lighting and UCL already and would probably use these as more of an accent, less for task. I'm attaching a photo, but am hanging my head in shame at what you're seeing. The bases are IKEA and the drawer/door fronts are arriving from Scherr's today, so half of my stuff is in but not covered and the other half is still out, so it looks horribly cluttered. My counters are also not in yet so I'm using plywood at the moment. You obviously can't get a great idea but maybe an overall snapshot of the shape of the kitchen and how the pendants will be viewed. The peninsula will have a rainbow-shaped counter where we'll put chairs, so seating will be there as well. As for adding personality - I have bright fiestaware, which will be displayed behind glass doors, so I want to bring out those colors but also don't want the kitchen to move to resembling a clown. I had considered colored pendants but nothing speaks to me, so the personality I thought I'd bring in would be in the counter stools (with a funky print on them) and a throw rug. I like deb's pendants and also considered something like those or restoration hardware's benson pendants. Even at $200, that's a $150 savings when you buy 3. However, because of the size of my kitchen, I thought I may need something that was clear rather than colored so the eye doesn't stop. I like that one from ebay, too (and the price!)...the rest of my house is not modern but more transitional, so I think I can get away with something a little funky. Thanks for making it through my l-o-n-g thought process!

I would prefer the more balanced work space over arbitrary symmetry to an offset island. Plus, you don't want the stove and sink aligned if somebody might be working at each of them at the same time. Maybe a single pendant, over sink? or interesting semi-flush lights, if your hood and tile really merit center stage? (most are not *really* as dramatic as all that...)Hanging the lights a little on the high side seems to be a common solution... Also keep in mind that as you move about the room, different elements will be prominent to your eye, so it's ok to have lights that cross the visual of the hood, especially if you need the task lighting. They too are a thing to enjoy.