Hi! Are you talking about the panel underneath the breakfast bar? I'd need a little more info on the style of the house and your planned staging to be sure, but I'd suggest something like painted pressed metal or a wallpaper (something robust that can withstand being kicked occasionally!). You could repeat this theme in your splash back (in the case of the pressed metal, not the wallpaper!) or back wall, or even on the door (if that's actually a door and not just an archway), depending on which you went with. Here are some pressed metal pics for inspiration: http://www.pinterest.com/roomtomoveint/pressed-metal/ ...and here are some fun wall paper suggestions that might work... http://revivalwallpaper.com.au/WallpaperPebbleLeaf http://revivalwallpaper.com.au/Wallpaper/WallpaperDenver http://revivalwallpaper.com.au/Wallpaper/WallpaperClassicStem Is the wood ridged paneling or just flat? If it's ridged (as in boards), once painted that will be quite a nice effect in and of itself, especially once you add some stools in front of it. As an aside you've also got a nice opportunity to improve the ambience of that room quite cheaply by swapping out the overhead light fitting. Something like this could work nicely: http://www.beaconlighting.com.au/lighting/pendant-lights/modern-pendant-lights/florida-580mm-wicker-pendant-in-natural.html ...especially if you splashed out a little (perhaps next year when you move in) and added some complimentary, low-hung pendants over the breakfast bar and some sconce-style task-lighting over your benches. Let me know if I can offer any more help, and have fun with your reno this weekend. I'd love to see what you end up with :)

I would paint all the brick everywhere warm white...satin for occasional cleaning. That done I think everything else will look OK because the colours are natural. New doorknobs are always good. You could if you wanted paint all the bench and cupboards white or rich cream as well....MUCH more spacious effect. there is a product you put on first and wait and paint...Hardware will knw...something like PSo

Lots of people treat handles as an after-thought, yet they make so much difference to the overall look of your kitchen. When choosing handles on cabinetry, you need to decide on size and location of the handles on the doors and drawers, as well as the style and finish of handle. Yes, you need to be 100% sold on the handle you choose. You need to get a couple of samples and see what they look like in situ. Don't just buy them all and get them home and find they are the wrong size or finish. I think the big doors on the right need handles, otherwise they are too hard to open with push catches. The ones in the pic on the doors could be a little smaller if you don't want them to stand out too much. If the doors and drawers in the pic are the new cabinets, then your handle positions are fixed. Because the are positioned quite close to the top edge, you shouldn't get a thick handle like the one you proposed, otherwise they will appear too close too the edge. If you want something less noticeable and modern and still a bow handle, I would go for a handle like this: http://www.furnwaredorset.com.au/Handles-Knobs/Breda-Bow-Handle It is thinner and simpler than the one you chose, so these will stand out less. Choosing handles is a balance between practicality, appearance and good positioning. I wouldn't let $4 or $10 get in the way of handle choice. The kitchen is a large investment, so to skimp on the price of the handles would be a false economy.

Ok so after all the feedback I made some changes. After looking at it, I would like to make entry point from garage on the garage wall, so you still enter into pantry, but you dont have to walk through pantry to gain access to the house. I would also like to flip bathroom and bed 3 so bathroom is centred between rooms. Also not convinced I should have entry to lounge from kitchen, should I have kept it entering from the entry. My only issues now is, do you notice how the bathroom steps in? This is because the ensuite is a bit bigger. Will it look ok once built or do I take that 30cm from my ensuite/main room to level it up? If so do I take 15cm from ensuite and 15cm from main bedroom? Also I really wanted the compartment bathroom that oklouise suggested. But its not big enough. Any ideas? My current bathroom is 3100 x 2600.