birdgardner - You're too funny! Does that mean I should hire some local teenagers to jump up and down on my stairs to test if the height is good? Lol! avesmor - Thank so much for your thoughtful reply and beautiful photo! You are a wealth of knowledge! Sorry I don't have a better picture. Yes, it will be mounted to an 8' ceiling above the 2nd story floor pictured. And yes, we have a railing now (that photo is a few months old when the floors were getting worked on). Position wise, if you are standing on the higher angled landing, the light will be directly above where the missing railing should be (not centered directly over the staircase). I'll put an "X" there. Does that help? If it's still too unclear, I can try to get a better picture with the light that's there now. Centered at eye level as you stand. Hmmm - that sounds like a good height. Yes, I am worried about the cleaning/changing bulb factor. The electrician is going to have to construct a scaffold just to install it. You can't just plop a ladder against the wall to reach it. =/ I went with enclosed glass thinking it would get less dusty than the bell jar style pendant that I originally wanted that was open at the top (DH said NO WAY to that idea). I didn't even Think to do an open design that I could have attacked with a swiffer. Sigh. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Changing bulbs will likely be a nightmare. DH wants to go with an energy efficient Long lasting bulb so he has to change it as seldomly as possible. That's terrific that your DH can reach it with a hook. My DH is not that tall (could I hire yours when it's time to change a bulb? ha ha, just kidding). But maybe we could find a tall, long limbed friend or relative to help us!

Recessed cans wont reflect properly over the island. The light from the higher elevation will reflect off of the lower one and create uneven surface lighting and a glare off of the drop area. You could go with a single light fixture that matches the over the sink one. Move the box closer to the drop area or center it on the island and hang the fixture low enough to light the whole island. It can be a rectangle style light that would cover more area for you if you wish!

Since you're just now building your steps, at least consider lighting the steps instead of adding a large chandelier or in addition to a chandelier -- then you could choose your chandelier more for decor/ambiance than light. Like the spirals: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/665195807441781174/ Like the Green Luster and Rain Drop. https://www.google.com/search?q=long+spiral+led+lights&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyx7Sl36DoAhWIct8KHckOAYkQ_AUI-wEoAQ&biw=1366&bih=628#imgrc=8Ps8xjxnw_cyrM Not sure if this comes in a longer spiral or not but I doubt it would blow with the wind and I like the basic idea of it. Would probably like this one even more if it had less horizontal hardware between the light center and the actual LED lights. https://www.beautifulhalo.com/modern-fashion-spiral-suspension-wrought-iron-multi-light-indoor-lighting-fixture-in-white-p-327927.html?currency1=USD&track=PA_G_SUS226&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Mn2xt2g6AIVx4CfCh085QN9EAkYBCABEgI6efD_BwE

In the dining room, the chandelier needs to give a direct light to the diners, therefor the recommended size of the chandelier is 1/3 of the table size and the recommended height is 36" from the table.