cant do open treads-need the storage space underneath. cant do cut outs in walls, as it is positioned between a bathroom and a kitchen. no pictures, as it does not exist yet. And can someone tell me, do we have to have a handrail or not?

It's a bit difficult to tell with the range hood light reflection on the wall, but could you add some kind of small bench top cabinet or perhaps a floating wall cabinet between the cooktop and the sink to put/hide your Nespresso and other appliances, plus the powerpoint? The raised bar/mess barrier will also help.

Thanks once again oklouise for your comments. I have already been told by the draughtsman that I cannot put in skylights. No idea if this is true but he seemed quite sure and it was he who 'designed' the layout of said ensuite with what I consider a too small window because of ease of plumbing and drainage. He says that can be changed...............Supposedly only put like that to get the oversize plan in fir consent. This department is only interested in the outside view and the effect on the neighbours, which I actually dont have any. The positioning of the ensuite and WiR has changed too from the first plan as I had to come 'out' of my bedroom into a corridor past the WiR door and then into the ensuite. Technically they were both in my bedroom as had not entered the hallway but did not seem like it. So the wall you have now suggested for the door is a small lobby to the bedroom and I had planned to put furniture on it and a full length mirror. I will now look again at the whole space with three zones to see what can be done. I used the word solar tube as I thought that was the generic name for the 'tube' installed which reflected light into a room. Do they cause draughts? Have had no experience of them but will probably want to install one in my scullery (or Butler's kitchen) but am going to work in it a few months before deciding that. I am really quite a novice about function of installations and of building code.

opposite the railings I painted my desk top BM "Night Horizon" - similar to framesEverything was/ is golden oakI was thinking I need to draw the eye around the corner via railings to the kitchen. I like to change accessories -lime green, cobalt blue, red and thus I was considering a neutral palette as accent wall but last night as I lie dreaming, I thought maybe I should just do a blue wall and go blue through that whole floor-the trouble with open concept Easy to change up accents