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!

There's no "should" in my book. It's more about your preferences and what else is going in here. Is the range hood going to be one that you want to showcase a bit? If so, pendants might detract from that. But obviously you can go with them or not here. Just remember potential head bumping when choosing and installing. I think you certainly would want a light over the DR table...but wouldn't you want something larger than a pendant there? I don't do them in my kitchens because I don't care for them breaking up my sightlines and with other surrounding light fixtures it can sometimes be a bit much. If I had a really blah kitchen with nothing at all that was sight worthy I might add them.

We like to put one (or more) recessed lights around the island if it includes a work surface (sink or cooktop). The recessed light should be switched separately from the pendants so that it can be turned off when not needed.

And for any who saw that I deleted my post for the two pictures? Yes. because just because solid feels bulkier to me :........maybe it doesn't to the OP. They both FIT. it's the feel: ) The Target LAMP shade test is still a good way to test before you buy, unless an easy return on the actual pendant. I agree - blowing balloons for a test should be outlawed. What a PITA!!!! LOL