Wow. That is harsh. Thank you for your feedback.

Ok so there’s a lot going on in this kitchen, I would want the lights to be more simple and airy. Have you had any inspiration Lights you would like in the space? Maybe we can see if they will look good here. Do you have real images of the countertop, cabinet door, pulls and floor sample together?

I love those pendants @sunshine home— where are they from?

The main issue I see in the design is the triangle between your prep sink, stove and fridge is blocked by your island... we have this situation in my kitchen right now and it royally sucks... definitely consider adjusting

@Deb You can find them here

https://www.shadesoflight.com/products/glass-jug-lantern

big space with lots of use and kids and so forth. By linear...do you mean individual fixtures on a rail . If that means you can "direct" the lighting...that would get my vote. I think your pendants are getting lost...and the usefulness of directing individual bulbs will give you so much advantage. You can achieve greatest aesthetic with tile on large stove backsplash and large hood and the light that emanates from hood , daytime and evening adjustable lighting.

I would prefer linear, because that many small pendants starts to look clutter-y to me.

That said, Green Designs, while a little harsh, has a point. You have a beautiful kitchen space and it sounds like you demand a lot of function from it. There are some things about the current design that will dramatically decrease that function. If you're at a point in the process at which you can still change the design, consider posting on the kitchens forum and asking for design help. The worst that happens is you decide to keep what you have. The best is that you get a much more functional layout for you, your family, and how you live. And as a parent of seven, you absolutely deserve a layout that helps make life easier, not harder.

There are pros and cons to both kinds of lights in this kitchen. Pendants can look clutter-y, but linear lights can look sterile and you already have lots of lines here.

I would not do glaze on any of the cabinets. IMO, it just makes cabinets look old and dirty.

Hi Kathleen-

You mentioned designer.

What kind of designer?

The person that is trying to sell you the kitchen cabinets? The interior decorator?

I would bet bet money it isn't a real kitchen designer.

There are some serious flaws in your kitchen design.

The type of overhead lighting is a trifle in comparison.

It is basic that in a kitchen of any size that the refrigerator should be near the sink, because you take things out of the sink to wash and prep them.

In your kitchen you have to negotiate through the islands and walk across the kitchen.

If you want to get from the refrigerator to the oven, you have to walk behind the phalanx of people eating at the counter.

Why not put your refrigerator in between your sinks?

@sunshine home and @herbflavor

Thank you for your response! I do not have pictures of everything together, but I'll upload cabinets with floor (light on perimeter and dark on islands) and our granite counter top slabs (which will also be a full back-splash). We have not chosen pulls or lights yet (other than having recessed lighting, lighting in glass cabinets, and under cabinet lighting). I also have not chosen the bar seating, but will be doing something similar to Tibetan Pottery Barn stools since they don't have backs and take up less room.

That kitchen is a nightmare to actually cook something. Everything is in the way. There are no straight routes to any point in the work zone. Every station is interrupted by an obstacle. Two too narrow bowling alley aisles without clearance for anything, but certainly not for people sitting there make the mouse maze even worse. It's the classic 500 lbs in a bursting at the seams 50 pound sack.

You could do SO much better. Start with a real Kitchen Designer rather than a cabinet seller. The huge amount of cabinets in that show that the focus is on the dollar amount of the same. It certainly is not on functionality.

Everything is already complete and ordered - except lights, bar stools, and cabinet pulls.

I’m sorry about the unwanted comments on the design, I’m sure your going to love your kitchen when it’s complete. Your cabinet colours are very nice and I think the counter will look very nice with it. Can you hold of selecting the light fixtures until everything else is already installed? That way you’ll get a feel for what you think can finish the kitchen well. How much natural light does the kitchen get? Are you going to need the lights on during the day?

Hi Kathleen,

Maybe something with a little texture would be great! I think that both liner and pendants would be great. It's really up to you. I personally would do the two linear lights to add more space and make it less "sterile" as you as said. Please see some suggestions below.

I think two chandeliers can be installed on the each island, which will be very beautiful. The edge of the cabinet can be surrounded by a light strip, preferably warm white, which will have a sense of atmosphere。