Our kitchen remodel includes an 8 foot bump out, because of this I am already having to accept that we will have to have a dropped structural beam running through the kitchen to support the upstairs bay window. The KD and architect have found a creative (and hopefully unobtrusive:) way of tying one column into the island and the other into a half wall that will separate the kitchen and family room.

We have now found unexpected plumbing that may or may not be able to be moved. The plumber will be out this week to give us our options. If the plumbing cannot be moved (it can always be moved, but at what price:)we are maybe looking at having a soffit run right through the middle of the room. I was coming to terms with my dropped beam and learning to accept it, but a soffit in the middle of the room may just push me over the edge!!

Does anyone have a soffit that goes across their middle of their room? Has anyone placed a soffit over their island with pendant lights hanging from it?

I have attached some drawings etc. If we were to turn the island 90 degrees, could the soffit go over the island with pendant lights? The dropped beam has to be 14 inches whereas the soffit only 6 so incorporating them in one large decorative (wrapped with wood etc. or incorporating into a box beam ceiling won't work.....especially with 8.5 foot ceilings) Is that clear as mud, or what?

http://s308.photobucket.com/albums/kk337/Karalouise703/