I hope you plan to re-hang the ceiling fan. I would also suggest motorized shades for those windows in the sky.

Your space is nice and open keep it that way and do not add pendants. Also since your kitchen has 2 ceiling heights just add more pot lights.

The thing is, do you want it to look like this?

A nice alternative might be a fixture with a single chain element that branches out into several lights.

Where's the exhaust?

@Louise Smith, I think it’s a downdraft.

You can see the new hood/exhaust against the wall in the elevation drawings the OP posted. Looks like the whole kitchen is being gutted.

Thank you all so much. A bit of background, house was built in 1985, post and beam construction and we just purchased it. Lots of quirks, ceiling fan included! This is a total remodel, relocating plumbing etc.

Lulu and Chispa, ceiling fan will be brought closer to where the ceiling opens up. This was a wall (non-supporting) separating kitchen from living/ dining area. We still do not know what the coiled and wrapped up vent on the floor is or what it was used for. Probably an exhaust fan, just not sure where it was exhausted to. It was hidden by the now removed wall, go figure!. We will find out tho, when we remove the floor to relocate and install new plumbing. There is absolutely no exhaust currently.

azline, I was thinking of just adding pot lights, however, just a bit concerned re not having enough light close to the island.

@eam, love the inspiration pics you posted. Definetly something to think about.