I prefer the upper and lower cabinets to align vertically, especially as you are contrasting them with color. You can adjust widths slightly to achieve this. A ceiling mounted fixture from the same line/family as the pendants over an island will also help the design cohere. As far as backsplash, maybe keep simple by using the counter material, again, since you already have the contrasting cabinets.

Good advice, thank you. We are past the point of changing the cabinet layout. We set it up that way so to space constraints in our small kitchen. The other wall has evenly placed cabinets around the stove though

Do you have task lighting planned to get 450+ limens on counters and sink where you'll be working. Recessed leds and undercabinet led strips are the most common options. 4" recessed cans 3-6 inches in from the counter edge with two offset to each side of a work zone will avoid shadows.

I’m hearing more and more about mixing metals in homes. Wondering if we could go with a brass lighting fixture. We have not purchased pendents yet for the island either

We are past the point of changing the cabinet layout.

Is that just the spacing of the cabinets OR are you able to change some of the door cabinets into drawer stacks? You've commented that it is a small kitchen - drawer stacks would be much more functional re: storage of items vs. a cabinet with shelves/doors.

I see. We have multiple drawer stacks in the island and on the other side of the kitchen