Sorry if this post is chaotic. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. We are in the middle of a full kitchen remodel of our 1921 pseudo-Prairie style house, and need to make some lighting choices. I don't have plans available, but here are some basics: We will have a U-shaped kitchen (approx 12' x 14' x 8') with the 8' long stretch formed by a peninsula (with raised bar top for counter seating). There will also be a 5' long island in the middle. No upper cabinets. Two west-facing windows and 12ft wide sliding glass doors facing north. Our original plan was the following: 1. Recessed lights (4" LED) above the countertop for task lighting 2. Recessed lights (6" LED) above the passageways 3. Semi-flush ceiling fixture (300W incandescent) above the island for ambient and task lighting 4. Three pendants (halogen) over the bar seating area Our architect questions the use of recessed cans, which he says affect sound transfer between floors and also don't provide as much light as flush mounted (so you need more of them). He also doesn't think that they fit with the style of the house. My original plan was based on the assumption that recessed cans would do just that -- i.e., "recess" into the background so that the main ceiling fixture and three pendants would be the main focal point. It also seems much easier (and cost effective) to find recessed LEDs. We have to contend with Title 24. Can anyone give advice on what might work? Are there quality LED lights that would work as task lighting and passageway lighting but wouldn't make our ceiling look like a collage of competing fixtures?

Here's another opinion. I am only 5'2" and I love a counter height table. A bar height stool is a climb, but counter height is just a matter of sliding my butt on the seat. My mom, who's 78, is 4'11" and has no problem with counter height seating, as long as there is a rung to rest her feet on, which most have. The idea of having your island stools and DR chairs the same height is very practical if you entertain a lot. People will often pull another stool or chair up at a casual gathering to join a group for appetizers and chatting. I will concede that most DR counter-height furniture does lack in construction and timeless style. I do think it looks trendier and not like investment pieces. We went with counter height in our lake cottage (where we plan to retire) because it really lends itself to how we live and entertain there. In our house here in suburbia I would not put a counter height set in our more formal dining room. Just wanted to offer up that, for me, as a shorty, I really find counter height seating very comfortable.

Bump

Thanks - the table and chair legs are all metal / campaign style. And the tones of the table against the floors need to be broken up—I would like a rug. Low pile.