If you get a small flush mount fixture, it should be OK. Another solution would be to get a pendant fixture and swag the chain/cord over to the center of the island. I once had this problem in a client's dining room. We installed a chandelier centered over the table and used a ceiling medallion to hide the off-centered junction box. Does that make sense?

I'm looking for a light fitting for my hall way and wire pendant style lights have caught my attention, however my mum thinks that the shadows and lines they'd create on the walls would be annoying. So what do those you you who have them think? This is the style of what i am looking at: http://www.made.com/lighting/ceiling-lights/hive-pendant-soft-green Cheers!

My light casts it's frame shadow, but it's not that noticeable because it's way up high (see pic) mine is in a double floor height ceiling. I think if the pendant was lower, then shadows would be more prominent. Also, my light isn't as busy, so the shadows are less. Overall, my take is the busier the pendant and lower the height, you'll see more shadows. (don't mind the paint job, still in reno)

We are in the process of renovating our kitchen, including knocking through into the dining room and adding french doors from the dining room to the garden. It's west facing and doesn't get huge amounts of sunlight. I'm trying to figure out what to do about lighting. We have 3 pendants that will go over the peninsula but otherwise no lighting decisions - although as we are redoing the ceiling, recessed spots seem like a good idea. The kitchen cabinets will be pale grey high gloss, with an oak worktop. Other than the oven cabinet and the freezer/fridge/pantry wall, there are no high cabinets. My main issues are: where to place spots centre light in dining area: we tend to move the table depending on season/events/mood so don't necessarily want to be stuck with a pendant light that only works best directly above the table do I need spots interspersed with the pendants over the peninsula (they are heavy ceramic so will likely not cast much ambient light). It will be my main baking/food prep area so light will be important. (General plan of kitchen - not entirely to scale but gives a good idea of plans. About 30 sq m in total - the long wall with window and french doors is about 7 m)