To stay in keeping with my 1920s douse I used 2 flush mount schoolhouse lights but then put 2 cans over the sink area to provide task lighting when needed. If you do cans only you would likely want two rows with the cans above the countertops so you don't block light with standing. You could certainly do cans with a pendant above the sink. It really depends on what decorative lights you like and how much you like cans. I like having a couple in our space but we almost never use them which I prefer aesthetically in our space.

You don't want to put a single row down the middle, that won't give you the best distribution of light.

I think cans can tend to be more a modern vibe, 4" ones even more so, but also can fade into the background and not really be a factor in the overall feel. Perhaps a mix of 5" or 6" cans in the center space and a fixture or three (maybe wall sconces?) over the long counter and sink to draw the attention.

We decided to go with articulating track type lights. One longer one in the center of the kitchen, one matching round light over the sink, I have ceiling fans at each end which also have lights. I really like it and I can move the lights around wherever I need them. I have very few uppers just one on each side of the range with a microwave bridge and on each side of the sink window.

It can be one long stretch or something like this.

putting them dead center down the room is probably only going to give you a nice distribution of light if you have one every couple of feet so that no shadows develop between the lights. I do recommend that you have at least one light directly over your kitchen sink and that it be on its own switch. I personally dislike pendant lights and I feel like they are a fad that we've seen the end of already, although they remain appropriate for use over an island. The new fad is the articulated light... I would go to a large lighting store in your area and spend some time looking at fixtures and seeing what you like. You may decide that they are all too fussy and settle for the 4" can lights referenced above.

Thanks for all your comments.

I don't know how to do anything but a straight line? The aisle will be about 36"

Then there is space down the long 13.5' counter.

We currently have two boob lights, but I think if we go flush(or semi) mount again we should do 3. But photos I have seen make me think 3 seems so repetitive? Below is two, so picture one more.

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Here are some recessed and pendant, or mount and then recessed over the counter

Thoughts?

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This last picture seems to me the best layout. Cans should be positioned just above the edge of counters (instead of one row down the middle) to best illuminate the work surfaces. The schoolhouse lights give more diffuse and more decorative lighting. But, cans can be left out if the space is smaller and you use large enough/bright enough decorative lights.