Looks like a lovely remodel underway! On the left it looks like blue tape is too close to the cabinets which can obstruct the light path. Typically I see the recessed lights more along the outer edge of the counter so they can aid in helping to light the tasking areas. With your undercabinet lighting should provide great balance. Good luck!

I would recommend several things…

1)Changing the under cabinet lighting to a quality tape light in a deep track (to avoid glare and spotting) with a diffuser. By doing this you will have a beautiful even light across your counter tops that will provide great task lighting and you will not need the recess over the counters. Im guessing the existing UCL’s are some sort of puck lights now based on the scalloping effect on the backsplash ?

2)I would still use the recess lights (I would use no bigger than 4”) but I would put them centered in the space between the island and countertops on the sink side all the way wrapping around on the other side of the island between the island and the floor to ceiling cabs as well. (Im guessing 6-9 4” recess )

3) Definitely add a recess over the sink

4) I would also put pendant lights over the island. Im guessing 3 based on picture. Or you could use (1) long minimalist pendant (try not to block the view across the kitchen). you could use semi flush fixtures if you want to

5)I would add tape light in the glass cabs running up the sides on both sides. That will really make that pop. If the shelving is glass you could go with a couple 2” recess shinning down

Bonus)You could add the tape lighting under the seating side of island and even on bottom of cabs. This will tie everything together and give you a nice layered lighting design that is not only beautiful but does the job lighting is supposed to do

Bonus#2)Dimmers on everything. Each group of lights should be independantly switched/dimmed. Dont forget to get an ELV dimmer for the tape light. Try Lutron Caseta or Ra3 dimmers to create scenes for different times or events (cooking, entertaining, kids homework, dining, etc)

Hope this helps or gives you some ideas. Good luck

looks like a great plan, to me. GO for it!

Does that hanging fixture go over a dining table?

it should be 30 to 36 inches off the table top.

I recommend not moving the can from their current positions above the counter edge. You need that task lighting. You space will be more crowded feeling with pendants in a row. I'd skip them in favor of recessed cans over the island.

mcarroll i appreciate your point of view.

We do this quite often and a good quality high output tape light thats roughly 4 1/2 - 5 watts per foot installed on the bottom of all the upper cabs will light up the counters enough to do anything you need to do or see on the counter. They shouldnt be your only light source but they work great

If there was no way to have UCL then I would agree with you that the center of the recess should be in line with the edge of the counter top (roughly 24”-25” off the wall) as that would be your only way to light the counter tops. But When you install a recess there the beam spread is definately going to hit your head, shoulders and upper cabinets and will create shadows.

As for putting recess in the walking path around the island, there is nothing wrong with that. Think about a hallway, people walk under recess all the time.

We have done this many times and it works great.