I recently completed a renovation of my laundry where I have grey tiles on the floor and walls. My benchtop and side panels (floor and wall) are a timber look laminate. The cupboard doors are white. I was a little concerned it would be too dark, however I installed LED lights beneath the overhead cabinets and it makes quite a difference.

Mark, thanks for your question, it's a good one because we're constantly bombarded by shows like The Block that are all based around trends and that can make us unsure about how our own home can fit into the current trend...or not. Firstly, can I reassure you that pendants are not a trend item, they've been around for ever (thank you how2girl for your image). When designing an interior, the rule is to design or decorate the 3 levels - the upper ceiling level (ceiling details, pendants etc), the mid height wall level (think artwork and tall lamps) and to decorate the lower level (rugs or decorative flooring). The most beautiful and interesting rooms draw your eye around the space, from floor to ceiling and back again, making pendant lighting an important stimulating feature in a space. Pendants also anchor a space. They say, I am here over the meals table or island bench and this is where we gather to talk, laugh and eat. I love them and use them and wall lights in preference to downlights whenever possible. Now just make sure that you still have adequate task lighting in your kitchen for the important things like preparation, cooking and cleaning up. Downlights serve this purpose well. LED strip lighting under overheads is a popular choice - I've done it under island benchtops and kickers as well to give that floating feeling and it looks amazing. But it doesn't provide you with overhead task lighting, and that's why I would use downlights as well. In answer to your question about whether to have an island bench or not, please forget trends unless you're reselling and even then you need to consider how much space you have and the flow of the room. If you could provide a sketch it would be easier to help you wth that specific question. Here are a few photos of one of our recent projects (still in construction mode so please excuse the surrounding mess) which show LED strip lighting, pendants and downlights in a kitchen, bar and casual living room (all in the one big open space). Hope that helps, Yelda xo :)

You need to remove link it's got your address on it.

If your painting the cupboards, I would paint them in Dulux Whisper white. The bench tops I would get granite transformations in and choose the lightest grey from your slate. Backsplash I would also keep light, maybe a light grey or soft khaki subway tile. There is no need to add something to bring the dark colour from the floor, plenty of white kitchens with dark floors. I have used granite transformations before, they basically come in and built a nice crisp stone bench top, squaring of the edges etc...too easy. With regards to cupboards, I would stay away from creamy whites . If your painting the cupboards, that involves a lot of prep work and undercoating. Buy sample pots, paint on large pieces of cardboard, then when your happy with the colour just get the undercoat tinted in the colour you like...then if you still think it needs changing it’s easy. Also I would paint in satin, not gloss.