I found this piece of info somewhere on the web and have had it clipped in my notes files for a while: Another common dilemma is determining the height to hang a chandelier over a dining room table. This also can vary depending on the size of the light fixture and the height of the ceiling. In general,in a room with 8' ceilings the chandelier should be hung approximately 28" to 32" above the table, adjusting that dimension based on the height of the chandelier itself. In a room with 9' ceilings, you would go approximately 30" to 34" above the table surface. It also includes some information on picking the right size light for the room...I can post that too if you need that info. Hope this helps.

On the bare wall side, my recessed are 29" from the wall. The wall starts being light about 12 inches from the ceiling. Closer will give you light higher up on the wall but a brighter wall. But what I have doesn't make any difference unless you use the exact same can, baffle and bulb. If you are flexible on your bulbs, you could drop the wattage (lumens) down if the light on the wall blasts you out of the kitchen. Norm, if you did 3ft and used a 4" fixture with narrow beam halogen how much light would you get on the wall? Thanks, Bob

My counters and pendants won't be installed for another week. I can post pictures then. I was hoping though that others might have pictures or opinions.

Yes, exactly centered. Not to the closest ceiling joists where the electrician thought it was easiest.