@ susan_66 ..precisely my thoughts on revisiting this forum! Just purchased a soft rubbery head rest designed to fit over the edge of these 'modern' baths...so have a headrest that is softer. On revisiting the PICS...YES that metal bath does look creepy and institutional-like but suppose somebody would think it the epitome of class.. PIc No 4...still reminds me of our half-a-wine barrel-tub we had as a make do as kids but the nostalgia would still not make me buy one. Am somewhat perplexed with some of the design features or lack of that are presenting to house-makers as the ultimate in style and trend. I think that some younger people with the idea of being "with it" and having perhaps little experience and more money than sense would go for any of these bath tub ideas. Whatever constitutes comfort to me...I'm all for it ! I really like the look of some of those free standing tubs with the high backs, many with rolled edges...that to me resemble ornaments. I wonder if they would also be comfortable...some seem very short and I like to be able to stretch out in the bath and relax. @ Luke Buckle...with susan_66...I do not like any of these tubs and would not trade my long, heavy enamelled cast iron tub set up against the wall looking out to the plants arranged on the northern veranda for any of these.

Agree with all 3 above, immerge - yes have pantry next to fridge and take bench all way to wall, so longer, take away those cupboard on the wall above bench to extend bench space, ea100 - yes you could extend bench so wider. If you have the budget I would try to change all the laminate to another more neutral colour like a very pale grey or antique white. Love bbean's suggestion of a taller table that can go under the bench or even be turned at right angles to the bench when you want a more sophisticated table arrangement or 4, using bench as extra serving dish area. Occasionally I will put our table under our kitchen bench if I want to serve food as a buffet for visitors - works very well - have done this even for a tupaware party and then all chairs faced the demo area, worked well.

And in the storms last week, we had a 24 hour blackout!! I'm with wuff - just how simple is simple. I think there is quite a bit of difference between labour saving devices and technology now. Labour saving devices became more and more essential as our lives got busier, women were freed from the drudgery of housework and given encouragement and the freedom to grow, seek out careers and a life outside the home. In many ways, I feel technology is putting us back in our homes and not encouraging us to explore the outside world. We are letting too much technology take over our lives and we are not interacting with people like we did in the old days. The other disadvantage with technology is its continual need to be updated and upgraded which can not only be expensive but also requires constant learning. Take TVs for example - in the olden days you bought a set plugged it in and that was it, now they have to be specially installed and set up and for the average person to know how to do this and understand it is not easy. Older people are being disadvantaged by all this technology too, they were not raised with it like the young ones today so it is constant learning, even learning a whole new language, and quite frankly there comes a time in life when head space just reaches saturation point.

I'm really happy with all these areas, I guess because I was able to create what I needed and if and when I run out of space, I reassess and downsize. I actually made my kitchen smaller because I felt I needed roller skates with the running around I did in it.