The kitchen space hasn't been created yet because we don't have the building permit yet because we need a zoning variance but can't get that till we go to the zoning board meeting in a few weeks and all of this has put us about 7 weeks behind and a few thousand more in cost. Gaaa. So while it would be nice to actually try out some things in the actual space, we're doing the next best thing ... our bathroom has a double window w/walls on either side and the space is very close in size to the sink area that will be in the kitchen. The paper shades weren't quite doing it so I hunted around in the basement and found a 10" (across the bottom) shade and a 13" (across the bottom shade) that we alternately tacked up on a ribbon into the ceiling in our bathroom. We've gotten input from several people, including the folks at Schoolhouse Electric, to go with the 10". While I don't think we'd have a problem with it I do think we'll always be like "ahhh, should have gone just a tad bigger". Since it is the only fixture in the kitchen (the rest is recessed and under-cabinet lighting) we're leaning towards the 12", making it more of a statement piece. Thanks for the replies, greatly appreciate the input!

Hi, Lisa! A couple of thoughts: What are your thoughts about cabinet hardware? If you are doing cabinet hardware, do you want the lighting fixtures to match? I did. My two island lanterns, my breakfast table chandelier and my cabinet hardware are all in an antique nickel finish. My home is a Tudor style and the nickel has sort of a pewter look, which fits the Tudor style. Also, my cabinets are two toned; the perimeter are a whitish with a charcoal island, walls a very pale grey with medium brown wood floors. Your color palette seems to include a lot of grayed tones, from the “nickel linen” glaze to the tile and stone work. How do you feel about mixing metallic tones, like in jewelry mixing white and yellow gold for the two-tone look? I have seen where that is something of a trend to mix metal finishes but is that for you? When looking at pendants it is easy to also consider coordinating chandeliers or fixtures as they are usually being shown on the same page if you are shopping online. Something that I have done to help determine what size (or color or shape or pattern) is to print out pictures as close to real life size as possible (I am able to print legal size) on some kind of photography paper. If I have to, tape a couple together. I would possibly print out all three because I have sometimes found that something that I liked 1 of, I was not as crazy about in multiples. It’s kind of like putting paint samples on the wall so that you can see it in the room.

Hmm. I'd be inclined to paint the walls Simply White, too, so the focal point is your range and those lovely soapstone counters. You can always add art or display decorative servingware to up the "happy" factor. See below:

Have you decided on the type of/color of flooring yet? You definitely want some contrast between the walls and counters to give some dimension and not have the whites clash. I would get some flooring samples that you like as well as some paint samples like samplize, or even several small paper paint color samples taped together and use your gut. If you’rr still undecided about floor, you can choose paint first but be sure to use samples as well to see how the color looks in your light at all times of the day. We have repose gray SW with warm white cabinets and like it-agreeable gray may be a nice warmer alrernative. I also love eider white, which contrasts nicely with brighter whites without a yellow tone. Or you could add a blue or green to add some color. My recommendation would be to go to sherwin williams or ben moore and pick out colors that catch your eye, then order samplize swatches for your favorites of those. Leave those up for a while to see them in different lights and go from there. I basically had our whole house repainted in steps when we moved in four years ago and that helped me. Also, Sherwin Williams has free online 30 min color consulting virtual meetings-I used them before to get some specific color recommendations.