Checked out Hubbardton Forge, nice stuff, not exactly the right sizes or colors. But a very nice line. While at Lamps Plus I did see the Kichler Montara Collection 24 1/2" Wide Pendant light with umber glass. It's a bit old world and might have to be shortened but the price was certainly right! I've also seen ONLINE this porcelain fixture, but I hate to buy something like this sight unseen! I have about 114" from the beam to the floor and a pendant will spread the light better as well as look better mounted on the beam. That leaves about 7 ft from the floor and this will/should sit over the large square glass/wood coffee table. Here is a link that might be useful: Fixture choice

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.

Yes! I looked just for lights in English bronze, but you can certainly try out a different finish too if you like. These are just a few suggestions, but we have hundreds more pendant options available as well! Kichler Everly Savoy House Banbury Kichler Larkin Sea Gull Havenwood Millennium Lighting 3000 Sea Gull Westminster

There are some good rules of thumb for this that you can google - I also suggest blowing up balloons to approx the size pendant you are interested in and hanging them from ribbon at the correct length, then live with that for a few days to see if the scale is right, whether it blocks anything in your line of sight, etc..