While I am not an expert on this subject, by any stretch of the imagination, I've been doing a LOT of research about lighting in preparation for our build. I read that you should have 30 inches from the work surface to the bottom of the pendant. As for spacing, FWIW, our architect's lighting plan indicates 3 pendants over my 72 inch island: one centered and one on each side spaced 18 inches from centered pendant. That is just a straight forward division of the available workspace (4 x 18=72)...don't know if it correlates to any lighting guidelines.

I'm going to be the lone dissenter. Your space seems very nice, warm, comfortable and casual to me. The first fixture has a dressier feel to it than the room does. The second option down feels very heavy visually to me and since it's directly over your dark island top, I'd avoid that one. The bottom of your pendants will come 30-40" from your countertop. So as long as you have your fixture hit at that level, you're fine. That gives you roughly 22"ish inches to play with for the height of your pendant. And your length of your island is a good length to work with. I like the fourth option down. I'd put two those lanterns over the island or two of the other smaller PB pendants. I think they're both nice and casual and pretty and keep the warm feel of the space. I could see something like 3 working if the scale was right. But I'm not sure with the 8' ceilings. But I want it to have more than 3 lights on top yet not as many as 5 does. I've seen quite a few online with those same lines.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will be getting my Vetro B/S sample today (there was a mix up with the supplier.) I really hope I like it because I am really getting kitchen reno fatigue and don't want to keep searching for the right B/S. It's been chaos juggling work, kids and dragging my kids to endless trips to Home Depot, granite, lighting, etc. stores!! Fortunately, we have a much needed vacation next week! The discus pendant is nice, but at 10" in diameter, I think a bit big for my kitchen. Any other ideas? I have no clue what I even like in pendants?? I am considering a brushed nickel b/c of the hardware/SS appliances but also think maybe something glass or crystal would be nice. any other suggestions??? Thanks!!

I plan pendant lights in my designs based on what is happening at the space. In other words, if the counter top is for general use then I center them in length and width. If people are going to sit at the bar and eat food and/or read the paper then I center the lights side to side but when I position them in the width I drag them away from the person a little. So if you were sitting at the bar, you have a dinner plate on the bar, the light would not be directly above the person's head or the dinner plate. The light is forward of that. Without seeing a kitchen plan and the bar size, etc. I can't help you much more than that. By the way....I am a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer and with my husband own a kitchen/bath remodeling company. Have been designing and remodeling kitchens, baths, homes for over 26 years. In addition I am ASID (interior designer) Hope this helps