Oh yes - forgot to clarify two things:

- The little puck lights are under cabinet lights.

- The ceilings are 9'

Is there a certain rule to where a can light should be placed over a prep surface before it starts creating silhouette shadows while prepping food?

Think about 4" rather than 6" recessed.

I love the look of the three pendants. If it is to overwhelming for the space Kichler has 3 sizes in these pendants. Beautiful floor plan. We are in the post construction clean up phase and I wish I would have installed pendants over my island. Hubby says no more changes!

No specific rule for distances off prep surfaces but we typically install can lights roughly 12" off the edge of counter tops. With a sufficient number of lights you will not have shadowing issues. Good under cabinet lights are invaluable for prepping surfaces. I recommend LED. If you use LED keep in mind the Kelvin rating, (i.e. the color temperature of the light), is a pretty important consideration.

3 pendants and 2 recessed is all you should need over island, stagger it to avoid "swiss cheese" appearance on your ceiling. Move out recessed as others have recommended and be sure your dining room fixture/box is centered over your table.

Move your can lighting out another foot from your counters on both sides of the kitchen and remove the cans over the island if you want three pendants. Move your pendants to put down the center of the island, rather than just the seating area. Place another can a foot out from your frig.

Here is an updated plan based on the feedback. How's this?

I have to do some more reading up on lighting types. Are 4" LED's the way to go these days? And do you typically need more of them since them don't give off as much light? What's the fall off like? I know you can't dim them which is ok, but I would like to dim the pendants. Do I mix and match and just go for the same kelvin range?

I prefer 6" Bulbs are cheaper, too.

You don't need those cans over the island. Just move your pendants to center over it lengthwise. I'm a lighting over-doer, and that is overdoing it. You will have plenty of light, especially with your under cabinet lighting in your kitchen.

imhofan has it right.

@jo, 6 inch is just fine. but 4 inch is just as bright.

by dimmable LED. most are dimmable with the correct dimmer. DO NOT buy non dimmable .

you are over killing the island lighting, and under doing the working lights for the rest of the space, or at least pushing them too close.

since you have undercab, you have plenty of fill light and task light in working areas. be sure to give yourself path light and as many options on levels of light as you can. you only get to do it once.

also give yourself switch options, maybe you dont need all the cans on one switch.