I love your countertop slabs, they are stunning. Based on all the criticism I looked at your layout and I see a lot of positives. You have a sink for cleanup near the dishwasher drawers and stove, and a second sink for prep work. That sink is not far from the fridge, so you can grab an armload of produce and get right to work ... and as you work the kids who just want a drink or snack from the fridge can get it without coming into the work L. This isn't a studio apartment, it is meant to work for a large family and so yeah, you may need to take 2-3 more steps to get around but that is somewhat unavoidable. For lights ... maybe something like this if you want something bold that isn't adding a lot of color: Huddardton Forge Erlenmeyer Flask Pendant Just a thought. Congrats on the new house. Don't worry about the people here who enjoy shooting arrows of doubt and dismay without offering to help identify ways to improve things. Some people naturally look for flaws and love to point them out (instead of asking why something was designed this way vs that way). It can't be a fun way to live life.

You can use whatever you want. No one says you have to use pendants if you prefer something else. I hear you on the seeing part. I reviewed lighting with our electrician on Saturday and my work area will be lit up like a Christmas tree!

ok I see now, you need working light there, that dome pendant would be overkill to the room, its a heavy piece, and also really pricy for what it is. Im really inclined to say leave the space open and put in another recessed light or a semi-flush, but its really about getting the light down to the surface, the room seems slightly underlit. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Grafton-15-in-3-Light-Coal-Semi-Flush-Mount-Ceiling-Light-25955/316723895

I don't think you necessarily have to have pendants or a chandelier in your kitchen. You're right, they will just interfere with the sightline. They work if your island is what separates the kitchen from the family room. If you look at pictures on Houzz you'll see what I mean. I don't have them over my island and I don't miss them. When it comes time to remodel I will not add them. My kitchen is roughly the same size as yours. I have four can lights, one in each corner of the room. They are 2+ feet from the walls. You want to put them so they line up with the edge of your counters. If they're too close to the wall cabinets they create an uncomfortable glare and shadows on the cabinets. Also install under and over cabinet lighting. The under is good for lighting the counters and over is nice to leave on at night when you're just walking through the room or popping in and out for a drink or snack. Put all of your lights on dimmer switches.