I'm more qualified to comment on the quality of light these fixtures are likely to provide than on the style - and I think you'll find them an improvement. You should get fewer hard shadows and an overall better quality of light than you get from recessed fixtures. Style isn't much my forte so I leave that for others. Shoelvr's advice sounds good to me. The only thing I might add is to be careful about fixture height (length of the downrod). Too low, and they may dominate the decor more than you want. But again, I'm not an expert on style. If it were my kitchen I'd be inclined to remove the recessed lights near where the new lights will be located. I can't see why you'd need them. If nothing else, that will leave you with fewer holes in the ceiling - places for heat to leak out in the winter.

A surface mounted light fixture at the center of the ceiling will light the back of someone working in the kitchen and throw a shadow on the work surface. This is how the kitchen would have been illuminated in the 30's. We now know that for better comfort and efficiency such task areas should be illuminated more directly with stronger focused light from under the cabinets or recessed into the ceiling. Modern recessed light fixtures can be 3" or 4" in diameter and deeply recessed or with shields so the lamp is not noticeable. They should be placed about at the line of the front edge of the counter and be adjustable or wall washers. They are particularly effective over the sink. If you have an island, pendant lights are decorative and efficient but for a low ceiling, recessed Low-Voltage Pin-Spot fixtures work very well. A major decision will be if you want a ceiling fan.

Hi Normel, Thanks for the suggestion. I opened the receptacle and the wires were taut (i.e. nothing was loose there). Of course, since the wires come through the sheet rock I can't see where it is coming from. All the sockets closeby and infact pretty much every socket appeared to have power. Somehow it is the living room lights, the kitchen lights and dining area lights that are not having power. All the sockets in the living room, fan and the lights that go with the fan have power. Any other suggestions? Any ideas about how I can check if the circuit breaker that supplies to this circuit is ok ? Thanks Regards, Mohan_R

The clear glass pendants are amazing! The mixed glass doesn't bother me. However, I think the mixture of styles is what's throwing me off. Gosh, if it were me I would update the other two fixtures to align stylistically with the clear glass pendants.