How tall are you and how tall are your ceilings? I'm sort of the perfect height for pendant lights to be right in my face when I'm working unless the ceilings are tall enough for the pendants to be hung high without looking weird (our ceilings are not tall). I just did recessed lighting above my peninsula for that reason.

It's also nice having that space open because my husband (who is similar in height to me) often stands on the other side of the peninsula while I'm working and helps me or just talks to me, and I'm glad we don't have something exactly between our faces during those times too.

Do you think that there might be enough room for 2 pendants, one to the left and right of the sink, in front of the bay window? This way the light wouldn't be lighting the top of your head, but would come across your shoulders. That would be my preference. I'm pretty sure I'm shorter than Jillius, but I don't really like lights "in my face" or in my "head space" either. We did a 2 light chandelier over our island. If I had a do-over I'd probably leave it out. With the number of LED cans we put in, the chandelier is unnecessary for lighting, and tends to collect dust and webs if I don't stay on top it (and I don't...). YMMV. We do occasionally use the chandelier for when we want softer lighting, but we could have done without it.

8' ceilings for the kitchen.

Everything -- lights, cabinets -- is over my head.

I'm in between two choices, I think:

- All LED cans, which I find rather dull, but it is functional, and it seems to be what most people are doing.

- As Laughable said, two pendants flanking the sink plus one more over the peninsula.

Lighting is so important – and confusing! Here is a
great guide: Let
there be Light!