Kitchen design looks great! I'm pretty sure we can offer some expertise on Lighting for your consideration. Firstly totally agree with you partner that a grid of recessed light looks a tad boring. If you do opt for recessed a more modern and practical way to use them would be to use them in a row against your high cabinets, just in front of them. This will not only show off your featured cabinets but also bring some much needed light to the ovens and in cupboards. I'd urge that you do have lights above the peninsular. Take your point that you don't want to block out the view or features but smaller pendants in a row are good, https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/original-btc-fin-natural-white-bone-china-pendant-with-braided-flex-p11330 maybe glass so they are not to heavy and solid looking. https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/the-lighting-collection-empire-ceiling-pendant-with-antique-brass-suspension-and-clear-glass-shade-p10433 If you looked at the website? You may notice we are running a sale just over Easter weekend, if timing is right for your project, it could be a good time to bag a bargain! If not sign up for the newsletters as we'll let you know when there's promotions or discounts available. Also you will get a FREE quarterly magazine sent to you inbox. This is the copy of the latest https://issuu.com/lighting-uk/docs/into_the_light_spring_2017/1?ff=true&e=8047055/45589588 You'll find lots of inspiration in here. If you just fancy chatting it through you project with one of our experts, we have a chat function on the website LightingCompany.co.uk which is really simple to use or email sales@lightingcompany.co.uk As far as positioning task lights should go above tables countertops etc. If you have recessed place them just in front of you tall cabinets groups of 3 or 5 in a straight row. If you can switch different circuits separately, if you can't use dimmer switches where possible. Stick to a common theme between you lights e.g.: same colour metal or similar style but they do not need to be all the same. In a larger open plan area different lighting help things look interesting and zone the area's. Above you table you'll need a light but if the light hangs in front of the TV that will not be so good, reflections will drive you crazy. You didn't mention ceiling height but we do have lights for the tallest and shortest ceilings. Do speak to us, we do so much that may interest you, we have thousands of options and can even make lights in your choice of colour, maybe to match the colour of your kitchen? What an exciting project and a chance to be creative with you lighting, you are doing the right thing thinking about alternative to a grid of spotlights. Did this help or not really? Good Luck with it all and remember we are happy to help. Contact us.

Hi Nicola, I have a passion for lighting. I love to layer lighting. This means we have the cans so we can see what we are doing when we need it. We should also have mood lighting. I agree that the can lights should be zoned from area to area and should be on dimmers. Over the bar area, I may want some pendants. If there is view to consider, (not known as the photos were taken in the evening), we want to make sure they do not obstruct the view while working in the kitchen, also on its own zone with a dimmer. I believe they should be an accent but shouldn't steal the show. They should be slightly understated as they are serving a purpose. Keep in mind that while fixtures create ambiance, they should also light the surface they are over and without glare. For this reason, the pendants would want to be either a semi-opaque glass if you want the light to pass through them or can be a metal shade, where light will simply light the surface. Additionally, I like to have a light fixture over the dining table, also on its own zone with a dimmer. The dining fixture should be a show-stopper and should create ambient light as well as light the eating surface. Those shades want to be semi-opaque. As an added layer of light, I like to use under-counter and above cabinet lighting using a strip light. There are many good quality LED light strips in a 2700K Color available. I believe these two areas should be switched together on their own zone. It's nice to walk into the kitchen and be able to see in the evening without bright lights as well as for ambiance when entertaining. The LED light strip won't heat up the items in your cabinets as did the old Halogen under-cabinet lighting. I recommend using a standard incandescent can with Soraa LED light source in a 2700K color for the cans. Love their Vivid series and they available in a Par30 and Par20 if using small 4" which, I recommend in your remodel. You can use a standard incandescent dimmer with these as well. All other bulbs want to be Phillips LED in the same 2700K color. Don't mix color or you will find you will have shades of pink and blue together with a nice "like sunlight" color. This is just one opinion and as we know, everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Lighting is very important to me. Lighting is often overlooked as just something we need. It not only allows us to see what we need to, it also creates atmosphere and warmth and will truly affect our moods. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts, Stacey Michael, Interior Details Specialist and Managing Member of Timeless Interiors, a To-the-Trade Showroom and Design Center in South Reno, Nevada. stacey@timelessinteriorsnv.com, 775-432-2500

Seating needs to be central really as we need some sort of sideboard/dresser against LH wall. If more space is needed could always reduce length of the kitchen unit run along back wall. That offset pendant looks interesting, thanks - I'll look for one in brass.) I was wondering if such a light existed that can be hung both sides of the window to meet centrally and hang below it (I've been unable to find such a thing though!). Another solution might be to replace the two Velux windows with a larger, single one in the center. But from a design perspective, may this look awkward?

How tight is your budget? Having an internal staircase would create some really nice flow between indoor/outdoor but I would consider the complexity and cost of digging up beneath the current ground floor. Have you thought about knocking through the kitchen wall adjacent to the dining room and having an entire open-plan space between the 3 areas or do you want some division?