May we have more pictures of this space and the area around it. I am assuming this is part of a kitchen not a dining area? are those counter height stools? What are the main 3 uses of this space? Are there any other colors in the house? It is all pretty neutral so any color would work in here.

Lighting is such a personal choice...it really depends on what your style is.. What do you have in other parts of this space? Here are a couple of options:

The counter top does look nice. Maybe some curtains on a close to ceiling rod and some art? fresh flowers are nice.

first thing is lighten the walls. the medium gray should be changed. then you'll start to see things that are possible. nothing wrong w stools.....a set of side panel curtains and/or a valance can be added to the blinds. if you are tired of the blinds look at cellular or solar shades...plenty of styles. light fixture change is whatever you like and have money for...they are all over the place with options and price points.

Hard to give examples without seeing the entire space, as there are so many options.

Window: Roman blinds in a light linen will allow light to filter through and will also provide privacy if needed.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/810799461/linen-roman-shade-gray-privacy-sheer?ref=listing_page_ad_row-2&plkey=548ac30900c4858769c2c209db465c9f56f5fc69%3A810799461&frs=1&variation0=1386886862&epik=dj0yJnU9VVFEbVg1bEljZUYwWXBhWEQ4UWVfOHVuSkNwaUM3c3QmcD0wJm49NFdaeHlGMlhTYTBNYnRGcXlaeUJtQSZ0PUFBQUFBR01vTm40

Lighting: maybe complement the cabinet‘s hardware and be sure proportions are suitable.
Stools: If changing, consider ones with backs for more comfort, but don’t take a lot of space.

Accessories: I’d add artwork on the large wall and reflect your color and style choices. Think big picture to define the look you want, which will help with pulling everything together.

Here are more pictures. The stools are counter height. We do use this area to eat. We would like stools with a back just not bulky.

I was gonna change the handles to gold.

(I’ve edited my original comments, after seeing the entire kitchen). I’m not sure brass hardware is the right choice and would suggest black. If possible and interested, can you move the handles to the corners. It would mean wood filling the holes, sanding slightly and touching up the area; cupboards will look more modern and your stools will flow nicely if keeping. Will you be adding a backsplash?

being the only light fixture in the space...I'd at least swap for a trac fixture w directional capability. forget how the space looks and decor right now.....you need lighting which is critical to anything else you do. pay for a lighting plan....personally I would have to change the gray walls but maybe you like the gray.

A 3-way switch controls down light in central columns for task lighting when you need it // Uses 6 x 60 watt E12 candelabra base bulbs (not included) + 3 x 50 watt GU10 base bulbs (included); LED compatible

Dimmable. W 39" / D 13.5" / H 24.5"

Lumos 9L Bronze Linear Chandelier Island Pendant Light Fixture · More Info

This has some flair I think, and goes with your kitchen as it is now... :)

Maxim Lighting 38497CLGS Entwine - Eight Light Chandelier · More Info

Great job..love your new countertop! Sounds like you are thrilled! I think you need a bit of warmth so I would suggest adding light wood woven shades…add light wood counter stools and add in your brass accents…so pretty!

Thank you! I really love those ideas.

Looking good! I like the countertops.

you kitchen reminds me of this one.

also, switch out the mini blinds to something w/some warmth or pattern. the current ones are just blah.

ditto that dated ceiling fan. it's a weird place for a fan. In a kitchen it just cools off food and blows the grease around the room. do a floor fan if you need cooling

maybe something like this style if you're going w/gold.

of course you could always do some type of pendant lights like the first pic

or something like this.

warm wood chairs, white fabric lighten up that corner and the wood tones down some of the gray tones. if you only have the one hole and can't or don't want to do another one and patch, then you could do a double or triple single head pendant

replaced the mini blinds w/woven wood binds in a soft gray. you could also do a color that matches the legs of the chairs

these lighter wood woven loom chairs would add some warmth. so would woven wood shades

you don't have to do these exact colors, just showing you what the windows and pendants would look like

Corless Zebra blinds in a neutral color (they have many colors) neutral stools that are similar to yours, but lighter, and some brass glass pendants.

(you could also spray your stools a diff color w/lacquer spray paint if you're on a budget. You only need two pendants if you can make another hole and piggy back off the current electric where the fan is.

get some type of art for the wall behind the seating area. a picture, or,

what's popular now is a gallery wall of cutting boards. This addition of wood would look cute, and add the needed warmth to all the blue/gray

don't forget countertop decor too

This bluegray backsplash tile is pretty. see how the wood warms up the gray?

tons of ways you can do it. you could look for second hand boards, sand them new again, oil them and drill a hole to hang.

or you can buy some cheaper models and create your own hanging piece like they did here^

(I love this dark accent wall against the wood)

Add in some plants too I think it's a cute idea

or maybe you like something along this line w/a chalkboard wall

(I like these woven chairs)

make your own framed wall art

(were the holes in your doors already in the middle like that? wondering why the holes weren't filled when painting)

Stop: before you go decorative lighting, looks like that is the only light in the room. I would really really really suggest that you have an electrician put in a few can lights. If you hang pendants here you will have very poor lighting in the rest of the space. If you do not want to go recessed then perhaps a rail/track light or at the very least a 3 light flush mount fixture.

RL. good catch. I didn't even notice there was no other lighting.

Socorro, absolutely get some cans over in the main kitchen area. that one ceiling fan w/those old lights isn't enough for you space. you need some retro fit canned lights w/LED bulbs in 4000K (anything below 3500K is going to be rather warm and yellow, above 4500K is going to look overly blue and hospital-like). Costco carries those retro fit lights, with the trim kit, for a really good price. I've used them. Then you just need someone to install them.

I'd prob do 4-5 around the room, and do 1-2 pendants over the island. Put those on a seperate switch.

If you really can' swing the cans, then do a light in the center of the room. (and another light over the island)

you could do something like this w/4 LED bulbs at 75-100W each. that should give you some decent lighting.

I see you have an under mount light over the sink, Is it a LED? don't do a bulky florescent light. switch it out for something thinner w/LED lighting

put a few more under the rest of the cabs

Absolutely under the cabinets lights are fab - such a difference.

Wow these are such amazing ideas! I will be adding canned lighting to the kitchen and 2 pendents. Shoud I still add under the cabinets?

I would. it's a darker corner. I have one that I leave on 24-7. most the time I don't even turn on the overhead lights

This is my work spot, that corner, so the light is very usefull. it's an LED, natural daylight

Im still not sold on two pendants, because you will mostly only see them passing buy the entry, I think a single fixture would be better and look better from all angles.