Avoid colored light pendants so your kitchen doesn't look too much like Starbucks - to add some traditional charm, I might try two (or three, depending on the space) Schoolhouse pendants in a finish to match your hardware (I think a satin nickel would work). You can find them anywhere, but Restoration Hardware has a nice one in this finish ( http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1157700&cm_ps=modal_add_to_cart-_-none-_-other_items_you_may_like&categoryId=cat1701013)

I agree with Brent- keep the lighting simple with no colour. Have you looked at lighting that allows you to have the track system you currently have with pendants that come down. Depending on the space, you might need the extra lighting. I'd go with a white metal and clear/frosted glass. Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a pendant is how easy it will be to clean.

Thanks. I am not a fan of the lighting track that is in place right now. I am open to having some type of fixture in which I won't have to make another hole or two, but really am picturing pendants.

I Liked Brent's suggestions and Chandani is also with him so Why should I not agree with Brent , since your kitchen style looks quite Dated , I'd suggest two pendants on the Island like these , and keep the track as well , when you want dim lights , shut off all lights and just switch on the Tracks !

Pendants would look fabulous in your space and cast a glow throughout the entire kitchen rather than the current task lighting. If retro or vintage lighting appeals to you check out schoolhouse electric, www.schoolhouseelectric.com. They have some fantastic glass globe pendant options that would really work for you. Best, Angela.

I love all the pendants thus far. Thank u. We have plenty of lighting besides this. I just do not like the track and really want to help the kitchen look updated

Should I be looking for a billiard/island light instead?

I think these would work in your space and the wiring would be simpler. Sorry... the picture doesn't show the mounting. It is one bar from which the lights hang. Click on firefly pendant to take you to the link.

I agree with chandani on the lighting, your kitchen is not outdated just a little mismatched , I think some modern pendants over the island while removing the tract lights will make a huge difference!!!! Remember personal style makes a home ....... Home!!!!

Do you think the mount will look fine even though it isn't brushed nickel?

The pendant might be a bit too modern for me. ...

Perhaps you'd consider more double or triple shade pendants (I see you have some already in one of your Ideabooks). I'm attaching an image with a double I've used in some projects, from Lucid Lighting. There are many choices out there that could work like this, and might not require adding boxes to your ceiling. Though it is hard to tell from your image as to where the current electric connection box is aligned over your island.
Another suggestion... Consider under cabinet lighting (if not already installed and just not visible in your picture) since your countertops are dark, they absorb so much light.

I really like your kitchen. The style is strongly defined by the slate backsplash. ( I also love that you put wide pulls on the base drawers, it adds to a clean, modern feel). Your style seems best suited for Hubbardton Forge fixtures. The are hand forged metal available in a variety of finishes. Check out their product line.

Hi, I would add a simple glass bulb pendant, and paint the ceiling the same as the wall, but cut it with 25-35% white. If you look by the cabinets they just dead end to whit with no transfer. I think it would change the room totally.

Completely agree, Bobbi!

Thank you feeny, it's getting old. I wish he'd stop.

Thanks. I don't mind. My kitchen isn't changing! Only looking got the best pendant/island lighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that the slate tiles and wood cabinets in your kitchen have a subtle Craftsman inflection to them, so either using schoolhouse pendants like the one Brent suggested in the first comment or the Hubbardton Forge pendants that Chroma suggested you look at would be my choice for consistency with your kitchen's style. I particularly love Hubbardton Forge's designs, BTW.

Thank u. Fenny. Any particular hubbardton fixture u like best for this area... I didn't think this would be such a hard choice. I am wondering if my choices are limited because. I only have one electrical box.

This mini-pendant cylinder style I think is particularly pleasing to the eye. Good luck
http://www.lightinguniverse.com/mini-pendants/quorum-international-882-65-mini-pendant-satin-nickel_g138866.html?isku=770422&linkloc=cataLogProductItemsImage

I think the biggest issue is I don't want something too funky. When we moved in to this house, i said this fixture needsto go. I am such a visual person it's hard to imagine what the fixture will look like before it's up. :)

Take a look at the Toledo collection from Troy Lighting. The line includes a pendant and a 3 light billiard type fixture. Using an Edison bulb would give your kitchen a vintage/industrial feel. http://www.troy-lighting.com/contents/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2438&idCategory=56

Here's one I like (probably in either the burnished steel or natural iron finish for your kitchen). I would prefer three separate, individual hanging pendants, but it also comes in a 5 light billiard fixture if you can't add the wiring for three: http://www.hubbardtonforge.com/ProductsInfo.cfm?Design=18660
http://www.hubbardtonforge.com/ProductsInfo.cfm?Design=136605

Or, since you say you want something very simple and not "too funky" this one is about as simple as it gets (but again the problem of adding wiring if you want to do three):
http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/coronado?category_id=4dfa41ac9a8665545200000f

@carlyabbey - once you have narrowed your choices to just a handful, working with a designer who could Photoshop them into your image would give you great visual evidence and steer you toward a final decision.
I have experience in this area, if you'd like to explore this option, please contact me via brilliant-ldi.com

I received an email asking for a different view of the kitchen. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to help me..

Hi there. Here is a site I think you might find useful. There are lots of ways to narrow down the search - pendant-style-finish-price range. When I was designing our kitchen, I found it very helpful. I didn't want to order lights online, but I printed pics to take shopping with me. Good luck.
http://www.lightingdirect.com/

i use track lighting all the time, the ones you have just don't relate to the space. if you were to lower the track say 18" and straighten it out, it would look much better. then if you think you want pendants, then add them to the track. but with the track lower, it will look like a large pendant fixture.

I agree, you have a very nice, workable kitchen and the only change needed would be the area with the above bar lighting. The pendants would liik great..

I finally had the opportunity to look at Hubbardton Forge pendants for your kitchen.
I suggest Fullered impressions, Axis impressions, or Erlenmeyer. They are all new products in the 2012 catalogue, viewable online. I'm currently on my iPad and I am not able to copy photos to here, sorry.
Also, seeing the added photo showing a different perspective of the kitchen was helpful. I think three individual lights is best.
I hope this helps.

Here's an idea I used to decide on length and placement of pendant lights. Go to the grocery store and buy 6-7 helium filled plain balloons - white or clear if available. They should have long ribbons on them. At home tape them to the ceiling where you think you want the pendants and adjust the length. Live with it a few days. Readjust as needed. The balloons will drop as the helium fades.

I did this and discovered pendants weren't going to work at all due to a cabinet door opening into one of them. Used small recessed lights instead. So glad I tried it with balloons first!

sueschus - brilliant idea!

Thank you, Bobbi P. Another thing to remember about pendants is that they will stop the eye. In Carlyabbey's kitchen photo, pendants will be between the viewer and the 'view' - the vent hood and the tile work. If guests are standing, the lights will be between the guest and cook, etc. Be aware of 'views'.

In my kitchen (above) pendants would close in the space, plus get hit by the cabinet door.

No matter what lighting you decide to use, be sure to put it on a dimmer switch!

I would suggest you go simple. You've got alot going on with the backsplash from one angle and the lines of the glass doors from the other angle. Maybe a simple coffee-can shaped light

What might a coffee can shaped light look like?

Would u suggest white globe lights or clear?

why not use LED lights with a dimmer switch. Expensive initially but very economical to run and seem to last for ever. Then you can dial up how much light you want for different tasks or ambient lighting.

These are coffee can shaped lights (I think I'm dating myself!) They are the same shape as your upper cabinets and the same shape as the sliding glass door panels. I think repeating those shapes would give your eye a rest.