I was planning 2 over the 7' island and was looking at smaller options, maybe a 9-10" diameter. Given 34.5" counters, if the bottom of the light is 34" off the counter, I can have a 10" tall fixture with about 14" cord.

So, if I only have 2 lights and they are smaller, will glare still be an issue? It looks so nice in all the photos, but at this time of year, it gets dark at 5pm. What does this feel like at night?

I am also considering a seeded shade, like this, which maintains the openness but maybe cuts down on glare?:

or just give it up and go solid, and hope it doesn't hang in my face (this below option is (9.5w x 11.8" adjustable cord):

So what you are saying is that no one with standard 8' ceilings in their kitchen should have pendant lights over their island?

Just a warning. I just installed a matt black pendant with brass liner in my foyer and it gives a yellow light. I still like it in my foyer but it would bother me above the island because other light sources around are giving out soft white light .

I'm not a fan of any shades that are clear glass -- I would avoid if possible. They look nice and I know it's a popular look but I don't like the glare/harshness from them. I put a fixture with clear shades in my bathroom and wish I hadn't, and unfortunately I can't easily switch out the shades, they're not a standard fit.

I agree the clear glass shades look great in photos but I always wonder how often do they have to be cleaned? Grease from cooking and just ...dust. Hadn't thought about the glare but that sounds like a problem, too.

Perhaps the real light in a kitchen should come from recessed cans plus under counter lighting and the pendants are just for show.

Thanks @mihelene - how tall are your pendants? They look great...

I have the same pendants as @mihelene. I have NO issues with glare although plenty of folks on this site warned about that and said it would be a problem ----- it has not been. I will second, though, that they do have to be cleaned regularly and that is another task to keep up on; although I often wonder if I had something not clear, surely it would be getting just as dirty and need cleaning.....? Maybe I should just feel grateful that my lights make me keep a cleaner house. ;) Also, it seems to me that the height of your ceiling isn't such an issue as the height the pendants are recommended to be hung is 30-36" above your counter top regardless of what height your ceiling is. I have 9' ceilings and my globes are about 15.5" long. I don't think an 8' ceiling would be a problem. (My sister in law has 8' ceilings and she just installed fixtures similar to your posted picture. They seem bigger than mine (perhaps just in width) and they look good.)

J Pru, we sold that house a couple of years ago. I will look to see if I have the size/ manufacturer in my paperwork.

Just to add a little more info, I found some pics in my messages that might help. The kitchen pic is my kitchen with 9' ceilings and the Kichler Everly Pendant. The other pic shows the fixtures my SIL used with her 8' ceilings and her kitchen looks like a magazine! Sorry I don't actually have a pic of her kitchen to share.

I have 3 pendants over my 8’ island but I use them as accent lights only. My recessed LEDs serve as my functional kitchen lights, along with my undercabinet lighting. My ceilings are 10’ and the globes are 5 inch each so they’re pretty small. They’re cool looking and we put them there for aesthetic value only.

@K R, thanks for the visual. I am planning to use them as accent as well. Its nice to see that they look ok with a "normal" ceiling height. I like your dark backsplash. Unusual!

We suggest a Rectangular Canopy Chandelier with Hand Blown pendants. They will keep the space open while giving it a touch of elegance. We can do different hand blown glass colors to complement your décor.

All our products are completely customizable and we offer FREE DESIGN SERVICES so we can make suggestions as per your needs.

Let us know how we can help. www.galileelighting.com | 305-807-8711

Mihelene—would you mind sharing where you bought your glass pendants? I’d love to purchase them.

Kichler Everly pendant- they seem to be available from many vendors- we bought from build.com

https://www.build.com/product/summary/771493?uid=2157650&jmtest=gg-gbav2_1993417