I assume you've tried frosted bulbs already, right? Pendants for task lighting are always tricky. Your lights look really good in there when they are off but I think you need to replace them with something more like what Nancy used. An opaque shade--even thick frosted glass--is what you need. If you feel crafty, try putting frosted window film over the sides of the shades. Swap to LED lights in case it doesn't respond well to heat. Once you can't see through the shades, these disguised or new ones, you can use any ugly-but-practical bulb you like, like spotlight style bulbs. Once I swagged an old Tiffany-style stained glass shade over a cooktop. I bet that's not the look you want. But I needed light. :)

Kelley - you’ll probably get lots of input here :) - my island is 5x10 (so a bit wider and a tad bit longer) but my pendants are “tiny” - but they’re our style (modern) and I’m sure some would say they’re too small. I say pick what you like!

Thx, Beverly. The rough-ins are 32 inches center to center so the spacing between the lighting would not be 30 to 32”. It will be less. Do you still think 32 inch centers on an island this size is good spacing? I’m thinking 12 to 14 inch wide pendants is the maximum I should go. Just wondering if they will be too small considering this oversized island.

Once I saw the light with the island I immediately ordered the next size down. I’ll be sure to show them once they arrive. Counting down the days until we are in our new home.