There are many color combos that work together well. I can tell you that Candice Olson likes to have the flooring and the counter be the same color. Also we've seen a lot of issues around how busy the backsplash is vs, the granite counter as they are right next to each other. Best bet is to look at houzz.com and Pinterest for inspiration and then model your kitchen colors based on a picture you really like.

We have some recessed lighting, are adding in lights in our lighted uppers, under cabinet lighting, over the sink lighting, all in addition to the pendants so I think we will be OK if they only light up the island. Since we are going with darker cabinets I was paranoid about it looking to dark so fingers crossed that I will have enough lighting! Question though, I have been looking mostly at nickel/chrome finishes figuring it would match the faucet, appliances, and cabinet hardware. Then I had a big "aha" moment when I walked into the kitchen and glanced at the ceiling fan in the attached eat in are with an oil rubbed bronze finish. We have the exact same ceiling fan in the family room, which is visible, but not completely open to the kitchen. I hadn't planned on replacing them. So...they have the same option in oil rubbed bronze (unfortunately for about $30 more), would that look ok with my finishes? or should I consider sticking with nickel/chrome and just changing out the ceiling fan instead? My cabinets are cherry stained med/dark, so the oil rubbed bronze would tie in with them, color wise. Boy, I am really tired of making decisions! Just when I think I am narrowing things down another pops up!

Generally, lights are hung 30-32" above counter level. I would think that 48" would be plenty long enough for a billiard fixture, as long as you have lighting around the island that could fill in on the ends if necessary. Do you have cans near the island? The best idea might be to put two separate, smaller fixtures or pendants instead so you don't have such a massive, single fixture.

I have my rough in for the sconces at 5'6" the sconces are similar to yours. I have them facing up. The bottom of the shade is at 5'9". It has not been too high for us. I am 5'7" and DH is 6' (in our youth, lol). Our ceiling is low at 7'. I am happy with this height. They take the old fashioned incandescent bulbs at 100watts. This provides plenty of light in our lightly colored room that is 6.5'x9.5'. Originally I had the shades at the 5'6" height, but when DDIL visited during the remodel, she thought they would be too low. It was the rough in phase so they were easily moved. She is 5'1". She thought the fixture would be easily hit with your arms with them lower. You can see how far out the project. Here is the other bathroom. I put the rough in at about the same height, at 5'4". The shade starts about 4" above the rough in center. These have been just fine. They are more flush with the the wall so less intrusive into the space of waving arms. it is interesting, the lumins are calculated to be similar to the first bathroom, here they just seem dimmer. There is a lot of dark wood in this room and maybe that soaks up some light.