We've ended up choosing Yokor Windows & Doors. They're a Chinese import company with very high quality product. A builder friend of mine recommend him who used them in his own house. We are yet to order though. They were about 8k cheaper than The other company we were tossing up between. The only issue i don't like their flyscreen product so we'll get that from someone else.

Hi Sharon .. Saw your post .. I would recommend using a linear LED light in your rooms. They are compact and low height, which looks like will help with your solution. Also, great light output! You can bring the power in at the same location of your existing light points too. Hope we can help. www.kiiko.com.au

Hi nayb, I think this entirely possible - in our practice we often need to work with 2.4m - 2.5m high ceilings and so we have a range of pendants we use that can work in this space. For living areas you generally need to allow for around a 100 - 150mm drop/clearance from the ceiling, which generally limits the pendant overall height to around 350mm max, so that most people can walk underneath without hitting their heads. In a bedroom scenario such as the one you are describing, you have much more flexibility. Take note of the pendant hanging height in many bedroom photos, where pendants are often used as bedside lamps. Here the general rule of thumb is from 1.2m - 1.4m above floor level to the underside of the lamps (or lower if the bedside tables are lower!). With your pendant however, I am assuming its a 'normal' central one which happens to be located near the foot of your bed. You could chose a medium-sized one at around 1.9m above floor level so that you didn't feel as if you were walking into it, or you could choose a more sculptural statement pendant as a feature - like the bedside pendants - and hung perhaps as low as 1.7 - 1.8m above floor level. You would be advised to choose one that was not glary, and preferably on a dimmer. This is a good article on pendant light heights; http://stylecurator.com.au/what-height-to-hang-pendant-lights/

Wait till you get the cabinets and benchtop in and reassess once you see how they bounce lights. You can always add more downlights. The pendants could be hung lower but won’t spread as much light then.