"We plan an island with a seating area and the kitchen sink will be there, facing into the open area."

We will hope for one table in addition to the island overhang for stools, Stilly. It's likely it will be a multi-functional farm table sort of thing. As for lighting, we are looking for LED lights wherever possible. I need to avoid visible fluorescent light fixtures, and the halogens generate too much heat.

Some of this conversation is a good way to plan our needs. Some of it is whistling in the dark for me. It's a struggle to keep our chins up.