@turner3477 YIKES! You already had the "aged look" and a very unique timber cabinet. wherever did you get it? I still think this trend of "paint it black or paint it black and white or paint it white is a psychological dilemma where people don't know how to use colour or are scared of it...or are afraid that they will not be "en trend" and keep up with the "Joneses". Don't mean to insult anyone's sensibilities but its how it looks and feels to me...everything old and genuine and beautiful being veneered to look trendy and plasticky. I'd be delighted to find a timber cabinet like that one as opposed to the the painted white version....and if I was at all tempted to investigate the white one to see what it was made of, my first instinct would be to have a feel and a scratch of that lovely decorative carved frieze above the benchtop....to see if it were made of a plastic mould and just stuck on. Sad to say this but what you have made of this cabinet is "what I call " fashionable fake". One redeeming feature though, whether it has any significance for you at this point in time is that at least under the paint, you know you have a genuine, solid timber cabinet that would have been worth something one day and maybe still will be when somebody, 30 yrs from now, recognises it for what it is and lovingly restores its genuine identity rather than mistaking it for junk and throwing it out to be replaced by the next lot of stage scenery. Wonder what the next "fashionable fake" will be made of when people have forgotten what solid timber and craftsmanship is? Don't know where you live....but would you like to sell me that cabinet at all ? I'd give it the life it deserves and I am sure you could find another one that would look every bit what you want to achieve in your space..(.In fact I could knock up a pretty good imitation replacement myself...not that I'd want it). I like watching` those antique shows in Britian where people bring old wares to be appraised and where antique dealers enter people's homes to buy collectables. It is on these programs that one learns the true value of the timeless pieces...some of which seem like old junk...but what surprises when what looks like junk turns out to be worth investing in! Apart from the above...enjoy your pristine French Provencale dream!

Thanks midesign. If you search under Advice for the topic "Asian Eclectic" you will find another post from me that has more photos of the same space. This may help you to orient more. The Cambodian screen is against a half- height wall and is dividing (non-intentionally) the living room from the dining area. There are 2 steps up to the dining area-still within the open plan first floor but also separated by the small "half height" wall I mentioned that the screen is resting against. I had already thought of placing the screen behind a bed. In fact - this is one of three screens I have throughout the house ( this timber carved Cambodian one, a Chinese black lacquer inlaid one with mother of pearl -currently in my home private music studio downstairs in a lower floor of the house - and a Japanese gold leaf screen with Kutani Cranes, which is behind my bed in my master bedroom as headboard centerpiece. ) So, you see- too many beautiful things all fighting for feature space. There seems no other place for this timber screen other than this living room! The kitchen is behind the armchairs in the current arrangement. The sofa is against that wall under the large triangle so it enhances flow of visuals between people in the living room and straight into kitchen. The windows are in fact floor to ceiling sliding doors across the entire back of the house- currently not seen in this post which is why I made a better post with same title that I've referred you to - there I added more photos of the various aspects in the living room. The sliding doors are directly across from the timber screen in these pics. There is a spectacular view from the sliding picture window doors in open plan lounge/kitchen of ocean view looking out across rainforest. The house is quite elevated- being 3 stories and 3 levels built on a hill with large covered decks outside wrapping around 3/4 of the house and views from all decks. The main issue with too many things and all vying for proper space to let them stand alone and show them to full advantage is that the wall space is very limited throughout the home on all levels due to the full length doors covering the rear aspect on every level. The house has wonderful quirky angles and less pure white wall space than most houses as the doors with all the views are the real feature. These are good difficulties to have, I admit, but I really think I need professional advice such as yours to let the house and its contents fully shine. If you are familiar with the pole home style then you will understand many of the challenges designing in such a home to bring out its full potential brings. I will post more pictures of other rooms too if you like? I love your suggestions already! What you say makes sense- I just would love someone to be able to see various things in my collection and know more intuitively in which room and with which other things they would make the greatest impact - yet harmoniously too! Thanks again

I have only seen one wooden bench top that has managed, over time, to keep the wet out and avoid that black mouldy creepage where the water splashes behind the taps and around tap inserts. It was built by a carpenter and then the owner applied oil to gain the colour desired before applying several coats of marine epoxy (several = at least 5), sanded back before every new layer. It was burn proof and the colour locked in by epoxy coat with no maintenance required (until a visitor put a burning pot on it and left it there while attending to fire on stove, still... only left a black ring. That said, the owner promptly got out the sander and ground back until black ring was no longer charcoal texture, then reapplied oil and layered epoxy until black ring looked like it belonged (can't do that with any other surface I can think of?). After 15 years there is no sight of the insidious black mould from water penetration so I suppose it is the same recipe as with most thing successful projects in life, research, research, preparation, preparation, preparation and don't falter at the finish line.

Hi Emma, Lots of great ideas, love the idea of a larger fridge to fill that large space, build in s/s microwave, shelf or shelves either side of range hood , timber but I think stainless steel would add a bit of glamour, fill with beautiful items, then stand back and decide if you want to update cupboard doors, if so plain would look great, some great stools ... gorgeous