there is no min for celing height for pendents.....i'd stick to the low volatge pendents they look much better also hang on a thin coax cable as compared to a thick rod or thick wire....check out some of the applacation shots at lbl lighting web site and tech lighting web site.....pm with any questions i'm a lighting designer so can help out.....remember that pendents hang about 2.5 ft off a counter top....just above eye level.

Her photo show 12" beams. The LR justgotabme posted looks like 6" to me. My kitchen is linked below. They are 6x6 and 4x4. Against the wall, the trim piece is 2x8. The large beam you see in the 2nd picture dividing the kitchen from great room is structural and it's 6x12. Hope this helps: Here is a link that might be useful: My kitchen - beams

Here are a couple of photos of the way we transitioned our bowling alley. View of the bowling alley from the lower-ceilinged dining room: View of the transition wall (we also painted the high ceilings a dark brown to help the volume ceiling feel less intimidating in comparison): View from upstairs (you can see how the loft hung out over the foyer): View of the living room part of our bowling alley: Hope that helps a little.

Thank you Jan! I’ll get back on the info of the island size. Another dilemma, I’m painting the kitchen cabinets SW extra white on the uppers and SW Cascades a dark beautifully rich green on lowers and island. I have a section where the double oven and fridge nook are connected. Do I paint that whole section white or cascades?