What did you end up choosing Sanyukta? Would be interested in seeing what you chose to go with the greeny-white.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am amazed at the response! I think we will go ahead and change the benchtops, replace the cooktop with stainless steel, a new rangehood, splashbacks and new door and drawer handles and possibly a new sink and taps. We will consider painting the beam and post and add a modern blind to the window. Then if we are still not happy, maybe we can rethink the painting of the cupboards? Actually, I like the timber, so if these changes work I will be more than happy to leave them as they are. Our floor tiles are relatively new and are throughout the entire downstairs area. Also, the wall paint we know is not the right tone (for the floor tiles) but is in good nick and will be remaining until we are ready to repaint. Rome wasn't built in a day but I will add photos when we start the process and you can follow our progress. Thanks again

It's a lovely tile! I'd go light-mid grey (basically like the picture!), if you go dark then it's pointless having the interesting hexagonal shape and the veins will look a bit odd stopping and starting, and if you go too light it will compete with the veins in the marble and look to busy.

The warm timber original skirtings, architraves and picture rails are a wonderful feature of the home which provide lots of visual warmth and character. Why buy a period home then destroy the character that makes it so special? Once painted it is really difficult to unpaint them. There are thousands of similar houses where somebody has decided to "modernise" by painting over the original timber and after ten years it looks a bit tired and daggy. There are not that many homes where the timber trim all looks in such good condition as yours. There are lots of ways to give a home a more up to date feel rather than destroyng its original character, and getting the balance right between 21st century living standards while preserving what makes your home special. Through my work I see lots of houses where the timber work has been painted. Nobody ever says "wow, look at all those painted skirting boards", but lots of people are complimentary of original stained timber. Please consider lightly cleaning all of your timber before repainting - you may be surprised at how much lighter and better it looks when freshly cleaned. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls