Thanks for the votes of confidence. I really thought I'd be starting a riot. So many people have told me just to leave it alone, it's fine, classic white kitchen, etc. But it's just never felt right. Now I'm excited about it! The rugs were just cheapies from Kirklands. So not worth heart failure, Amy! Believe me, paint would be the most mild thing that has ever been on them. Dog slobber, muddy paws, hair, pancake batter drips, grease splatters, various sundry spilled drinks, etc. all adorn those rugs. The beauty of the pattern is that they show nothing, and they're wool, so they've so far been indestructable. Just to set everyone's mind at ease, the pic of the paint tray was at the very, very end of the project, and there was only a few drops left in the deepest part of the paint well. No rug was harmed in the filming of this project. :)

Yes, because they are solid, and you island is only nine feet long, and because they are EACH 18 inches wide and three will be overwhelming and a visual blocking mass. And because I do this stuff every single day for a living : ) ? and I'd not let you buy a third. And you will HATE three of them? Your inspiration photo isn't lying......that's roughly "nine and a little" feet you are seeing, and I can tell because of the counter chairs. Using just two will be plenty o impact.Here are two, very OPEN and airy on nine feet x 4 feet, and they are 12 inches wide and 14 high. Not the best angle.....but they were plenty I assure you If you are stuck on three..go DOWN in size To "Ziggy" from Arteriors. and do three nine inch x 12 inch Or do the WIDE "ziggy" at 13 inches.........and three ( below)

Thank you all for your input! I drew it on paper and the lights look too close together using the 1/3 rule (28" from edge), and they look too far apart centering them on the sides of the sink (13.5" from edge). So, I've decided to split the difference and center them 21" from the ends. This gives 24" between the pendants in the center of the island, and 12" from the edge of the island to the pendant. Even with hubby being 6'5", I don't think he'll hit his head. I drew it out (side view and top view below). Please let me know if there are any fatal flaws in this plan! p.s., our ceilings are 9', so I can easily have the bottom of the pendants 36" from the top of the island - thanks for the tip Jan!

We don't know the dimensions of the space, so it's difficult to give you any really useful advice -- we're guessing! So, please post a sketch with the dimensions, preferably wall-to-wall, not cabinet-to-cabinet. If you cannot do wall-to-wall, then to/from the items that stick out the farthest...things like appliance handles, counter edges, walls, etc. One thing I will note is that a 24" or 27" deep counter is barely usable for prepping b/c you have to worry about things falling off the back. I have that on one of my peninsulas and I don't like prepping there for that reason. Perimeter counters work b/c you have a wall behind them to stop things from falling. In the meantime, the following Kitchens Forum FAQ might help: FAQ: Aisle Widths, Walkways, Seating Overhangs, Work/Landing Space etc https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc [Taken from the "Read Me" thread]