The white kitchen is ours and we have ordered the cb2 vapor barstools

These are the bar stools we ordered, hopefully they go... http://www.cb2.com/vapor-30-acrylic-bar-stool/s417915

Interior designers always talk about the "rule of threes" and advise against a even number of things, so I am thinking three would work best - although that picture of the two lights looks really good so if you really love the larger fixtures it could work.

I read that too, the rules about three ...I have been googling for hours trying to find the right answer ...ughhhhhhhhh

I like the two larger ones :)

I had same dilemma when we built our house a little over a year ago. I would look at the length of your island and figure out the spacing needed between 2 lights and then 3. Remember that when considering 3 - you won't place the 2 on each end, right at the end of counter, but in a little bit. Then consider what size the lights are that you want hung. Tiny, use 3, really large, use 2. I ended up going with 3 on ours. Also, You may want to consider that enough light comes from the 2, if they have a a darker glass or shade on them or something, (?) biggest thing for me was the look. Good luck!

Thanks. I'm going to go get the measurements for the island today. There is three rec lights in there already so we don't ness need more light but I would try to choose pendants lights as close to the ones in the photo(big clear glass).

My vote is for 3 also. Mid sized units. I think the 3 small ones pictured are 2 small.

I'm still very torn, we have to make a decision soon to let the builder know but every choice is feeling like the wrong one!

my opinion would be that it all depends on the amount of space available in your kitchen.

the first picture with the 2 pendants has a large open ceiling so there would be enough space for larger pendants.

if your kitchen space is limited in space, i personally would go with smaller pendants but more of them to increase lighting.

I prefer things in odd numbers, so I'd go with 3. @Genay Bell Interiors makes excellent points though.

Love Genay Bell Int. comment. I can relate to your concern about not wanting to make the "wrong" decision. After all the design aspects considered, to help you determine which one you "like" better .... A designer once told me to make a decision, and then see how you feel. (Happy or oh no I really want the other one.) It may help you clarify of which one you really like the best.

I LOVE the big two pendant option but I know that we are going to sell this home at some point so I'm trying to be careful....

How far into the future is "at some point"? In any case, as you see from the poll, it's almost even, so presumably half your potential buyers will like one over the other. Since you LOVE the 2 big pendants, I think that's what you should get. It's your house NOW so you should LOVE it.

Within ten years is when we will sell. It's a townhome, which is not ideal for us. We want a yard and a sfh but DC real estate is very expensive...so for now, it's a townhome.

Our island is 9ft 2in. Its larger than i remembered.

I like going with 2 larger pendants - it just has a bigger impact on the look of the room and is a little different from what most people do.

If the sink is placed as is shown in photo from model, then having the 3 lights does not light the sink, where having 2 should take care of lighting the sink.

So the vote is for 2, to task light for the sink.

Odd numbers are almost always better.

I know that there is the safe choice because that is what's in the model but I think I'm really loving the idea of two...

2 is the way to go based on pictures, but a picture or measurements of your island would be helpful.

Our island is the 2nd photo. White cabinets with the metal hood. It's a 9ft island.

Sorry! Misread that part. I still think 2 larger pendants would look great! The smaller pendants are a bit dated, imo.

see that is how i feel...i feel the three looks dated...

The three pendants seem to distribute the lighting better. But I agree that the two larger pendants bring an accent to the room. It's certainly a tough call!

it really is...

The power of odd numbers! Go for 3.

Just tossing out an idea here. I have no idea if it's a good one at all. 3 medium-sized pendants that will make a statement similar to the large ones, but proportionate to the space.

I think two. I googled pictures and two just looks better to me. I am not sure why. https://www.google.com/search?q=pendant+lamp+island&hl=en-US&source=lnms&prmd=si&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMI6pCQzsfOxwIVA82ACh1J0Q2T&biw=360&bih=525&dpr=4#hl=en-US&tbm=isch&q=pendant+lamp+island

We talked to the builder and they said they generally recommend two. They said that the placement over the sink can bother some people

We went with two larger. I found some at a great price wrong color...just need to figure out if I can spray paint them

I like the 3 small pendants because 2 large would visually obstructive. Pendants should functionally give light without distracting from your cabinets in back-round or be too much for those sitting at the bar or island. Of course, regardless of number you want them to compliment your decor, not be a focal point. Those 2 in your idea pic have a larger space under them.

@Danielle Lyn, I've had very good success spray painting light fixtures, I'm sure you will too. Make sure you put masking tape completely over all the sockets.

You know we all want before and after pictures, right?

lol ok i would not have thought about over the sockets...

You'll want to protect the wire, too. Put the wire in a plastic bag, and carefully tape it off where the wire meets the part you want to paint. Every bit that's not covered WILL get paint on it. See the picture below, but I also cover across the top of each socket so nothing gets in there. Stray paint drops will make it hard to screw in lighbulbs, or block the part where the bulb makes contact - so it won't light.

To avoid paint lines, hang the fixtures up so you can get all sides. (Note the drop cloth protecting the ladder). If you put cardboard behind it, you'll keep overspray from going everywhere.

Practice on something you don't care about first. It's not hard at all, just do several light coats and keep the can moving at all times. The first coat will not "cover". Don't worry. 2-3 coats will do it.

Thanks! I'll reference this when we get them and before I paint them lol

Tough choice but we like the two light option!