Hi Jill! I would say to use recessed lighting, but to also add other fixtures such as pendants over the island or under-cabinet lighting beneath your upper cabinets. That way, if you need a little more focused light for tasks like cooking/eating at the island or chopping ingredients, you can use these other fixtures along with the recessed lights. Let me know if you have further questions!

I have no island but over the bar and the sink I was going to have lights then recessed in the rest of the kitchen. Would you put a single light over the stove or just use the light from the range hood? Would 6 be too many in a kitchen that size? I have attached a drawing but there are a few changes. We are thinking counter height bar instead of standard bar height due to ceiling is about 93 inches and it opens up to a great room.

I recommend having a light over the stove and use the vent light for when you need additional task lighting (like under cabinet lights). The photo is of my kitchen (working on ceiling and a mess, sorry) and I also have 8ft ceilings. 6 recessed lights isn't too many. Lastly, I wanted a taller island (I'm 5'9") and it is 39" to the top of the granite, which doesn't stand out like bar height.