If you have screw in recessed can fixtures and want to visualize the mini pendants without doing the can tearout first--you can pick up a couple of recessed can/mini pendant light conversion kits--Lowes carries a couple (nickel Model #: MPA-1PNK or antique bronze [Model #: MPA-1JBZ]) with no bulb or shade that screws into the existing edison socket, has a decorative base that covers the recessed can. You can play with different light shades as well. We did this for our remodel, and never bothered to do the formal can tearout. I think there may be other conversion kits at Lowes, but the cover and the shade did not match our kitchen. Hope this helps.

It might be helpful to post a photo that better shows the spacial relationship between the island and table (like maybe from the other side of the half wall). That said, I will offer that in my former house I had pendants over the island and a light over the breakfast table that were from the same collection. If you're concerned that the pendants you're considering are too busy, you could certainly go with a very simple stick pendant with glass bowl as long as the stick is in the same finish as your light.

I disagree that the pin-type fluorescent bulbs have "uglier" light than the screw-in fluorescent bulbs. I think it is about the same. I still prefer the look of incandescent lighting, but here in California we are required to use fluorescent or other energy efficient lighting for over 50% of our total wattage in kitchens. I also feel a moral obligation to conserve where I can. If you get the "warm white" color spectrum bulbs, they are okay. In my kitchen, I have mostIy 5" diameter can lights with 26 watts each. They take the pin-type bulbs. I would recommend them. I would definitely not go lower to the 13 watt fixtures. I do have a 5" can over the sink that uses a PAR bulb, and it puts out MUCH more light. I wasn't happy with the amount of light I got over the sink with even a 26 watt fluorescent bulb. The advantage of using 13 watt fluorescents is that you can use a 4" can, but then you will just need more of them. You trade off smaller holes for the swiss cheese look, so I don't think it is worth it. In my office, where I am usually in a seated position, I put in 6" can lights that take screw-in fluorescents. I am happy enough with them. There are fluorescents that dim, but they usually dim to an ugly shade. Think about whether you will want to dim your pendant lights over your island. Also, with a pin-type fixture, you only have one option of wattage to put in it. I don't see any advantage at all for you in choosing island lights that take the pin-type fluorescent bulb. You will be paying more and limiting your options. The fluorescent bulbs do use mercury and may be replaced some day with an even better technology. I would just buy regular fixtures and put fluorescent lights in them.

@ RL - very good points re: cleaning. @groveraxle - goodness, I love your candor. Here's the thing. Those are knock-off Beat pendants and they're served me over the last 5 years but I'm ready for an update. They are also very low wattage so provide very little down lighting. I'm also SUPER fussy about finishes matching, and I'm doing chrome faucets and pulls. I don't like brushed + chrome look lol. I'm picky-picky. We have vaulted 16+ foot ceilings and the space feels large at over 20 feet long (even though the island breaks up the middle), I really feel like we need pendants over the island to break up the space. But I am definitely going to hold off on the pendants over the eating bar. @Patricia Colwell - i love that look but probably for another room. Thank you so much everyone!