I'd definitely want lights spread out over a 12 ft island. I think multiple pendants have been fashionable for many years, as I know I put them over my island in 2000. I've actually noticed recently a trend towards fewer larger pendants/fixtures. At the end of the day, it's really whatever you like. But, you do need more than one light fixture in that large a space. Lighting standards recommend MUCH more lighting in a kitchen than a living area, since a kitchen is a working space. I'd really look for at least two large pendants, and more likely three. If you only do two, I think they really need to be BIG -- 12" or more in diameter, for sure. If you go with 3, you could get away with smaller ones. I did three 8" diameter simple pendants over my 7 ft island . . . My ceilings are 10 ft, and the larger pendants look balanced with the space, whereas I think the smaller more common pendants would look a little silly with those huge ceilings. Assuming you have tall ceilings since they are sloped . . . and knowing you have a gigantic island, I'd lean toward either two large (14-18" diameter multi-bulb) fixtures or three medium sized (8-12 inch, with one or two high watt bulbs). That fixture linked above is only a bit over 4 ft wide, still leaving about 4 feet on each end, which seems a bit much to me to leave without an overhead light (since presumably each of the bulbs will just be 60 watt or equivalent). I'd want two fixtures, about 6 feet apart . . . or better yet, I'd really want three fixtures, each about 4 feet apart (i.e., end of island - 2 ft - light - 4 feet - light - 4 feet - light -2 feet -opposite end). That's what I'd do anyway.

Though my kitchen layout is different, it's similar in terms of size and lighting needs. I'm going with two pendants over the peninsula (a little larger than your island); however, I don't like "ceiling clutter", and (in both you layout and mine) I think another pendant over the sink could be just that: Clutter. I currently have a simple cornice (not shaped, just a plain board) over the sink, which hides a florescent light. Works fine, the bulbs last forever, and the light is essentially "invisible". I'm going with the same thing over my new sink -- mine'll be more simple than these examples.

Jess, Love it! I think you definitely made the right choice to omit the island pendants! We are still leaning toward no island pendants as well. I already said this above, but, there will be a breakfast nook at the end of the island and a dining table along the front side... and I want a big George Nelson bubble saucer light probably over the dining table and something else hanging above the nook table. I think that'll be enough hanging lights in that open room! I also don't want to take away from the view out the windows in the nook. Who knows, we may change our minds, but my husband says he will support my "No island pendants" choice if that is what I want. I will come back and post a pic of what we finally end up going with!

Hi. Holly. You see preventing lighting from getting too much is really simple. Your kitchen and dinning seems to be an open plan type. First know how much brightness is recommended for a kitchen. I did the research and wrote a full article at lightingglow .com it is around 150 - 200 lumens per square meter which means 18 lumens per square feet. Simply measure to the total square feet area of your dinning and kitchen and multiply it with 18 you will get the recommended brightness for kitchen area. after you have your lumens calculated see much lumens a individual pendant is emitting. it is printed on the description of bulb. Add all the lumens and match it with recommended brightness. If you further need help you can always check the detailed answer on lightingglow. Thanks.