The pendant lights are for task lighting over the island, but they provide a little bounced light to supplement the cans. So it's a little of both, task and general lighting. I have them on a dimmer, though I tend to keep them on full. Since I'm the only cook (for now), and have no plans to sell soon, decided to adjust them so they look good to me. I just had the granite installed yesterday, and ended up raising the pendants to about 30" off the island top. This seems to offer the best spread of light, and they look good at that height. The only thing I'm wondering about is whether I want to add another pendant to make things a little brighter... I currently have two, over a 66" x 37" island top. Just wondering if adding a third will be too much. Since it's a track system, I can always add the third and if it doesn't look right I can easily take it back off. Thanks for your input! ~UncleD

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!

You can find recommendations for anything from 24'' to 40'' from the island, to 68-72'' from the floor, but it really depends on a few things. How high is the island, how wide is the pendant, how wide is the island, how tall are you, and what do you use the island for? You need to keep the pendant out of the way of your tallest cook while s/he is using the island, particularly for tasks like rolling dough which involves leaning forward. You also need to consider the shape of the pendant and the size of the area it will light, to avoid dark spots. Do you need the pendants high enough to avoid obstructing your view into an adjacent room? Better to figure out your own requirements rather than go by someone's set numbers.

I disagree that the pin-type fluorescent bulbs have "uglier" light than the screw-in fluorescent bulbs. I think it is about the same. I still prefer the look of incandescent lighting, but here in California we are required to use fluorescent or other energy efficient lighting for over 50% of our total wattage in kitchens. I also feel a moral obligation to conserve where I can. If you get the "warm white" color spectrum bulbs, they are okay. In my kitchen, I have mostIy 5" diameter can lights with 26 watts each. They take the pin-type bulbs. I would recommend them. I would definitely not go lower to the 13 watt fixtures. I do have a 5" can over the sink that uses a PAR bulb, and it puts out MUCH more light. I wasn't happy with the amount of light I got over the sink with even a 26 watt fluorescent bulb. The advantage of using 13 watt fluorescents is that you can use a 4" can, but then you will just need more of them. You trade off smaller holes for the swiss cheese look, so I don't think it is worth it. In my office, where I am usually in a seated position, I put in 6" can lights that take screw-in fluorescents. I am happy enough with them. There are fluorescents that dim, but they usually dim to an ugly shade. Think about whether you will want to dim your pendant lights over your island. Also, with a pin-type fixture, you only have one option of wattage to put in it. I don't see any advantage at all for you in choosing island lights that take the pin-type fluorescent bulb. You will be paying more and limiting your options. The fluorescent bulbs do use mercury and may be replaced some day with an even better technology. I would just buy regular fixtures and put fluorescent lights in them.