Just my opinion on the shade size: Just from a "looks" standpoint, I think the cord or rod length should be at least one-and-a-half (twice or more is even better) times the height of the shade. Otherwise, the pendant might look shade heavy. If your ceiling is high enough this is probably not a problem.

No absolutely have never felt they are too high - I feel like lower would be annoying for conversation because when we host we routinely have people at the island while we are cooking and preparing , setting out food etc. I got our tiles from a local tile store- there wasn't a brand name on the box. it just said Made in Spain.

Great suggestions and inspiration for me. Feel free to chime in on my dilemma, 10‘3“ long island, new house, three pendant rough-ins, 32-inch centers. Initially I thought I should move the rough-ins to 34 to 36, but the more I think and obsess about pendant size and spacing, 32 may be OK. I Found a 16” x 19.75” height, round pendant I ordered it and we’ll see what it looks like in the space since I’ve tried the paper plates and balloons and I still have a hard time visualizing. Here is what I’m considering. Brandywine Collection 3-Light Farmhouse Sphere Pendant Light Silver Ridge.

Yes, completely agree Jan, as I mentioned, diameter will depend. Based on the info the poster has provided, making a recommendation for 9 vs 13" is impossible; we need much more info including style of pendant desired, lighting needs, and the width of the 5 ft island. I don't like to make a black and white recommendation based on inadequate info :)