Netty, firstly thank you for posting your question because we are stuck on splashback ideas also and the only difference between our kitchens is that you have opted for gloss on your cupboards and we have gone satin. We are currently waiting on our shi*take bench tops to be installed.... hopefully within the next week. After much googling, hubby has decided that he likes the glass bullet style in a neutral tone (much like the tile you have gone with but in glass obviously) and I am liking the bullet style tile also, just not sure whether glass or a mix of stone, glass etc would work. At least I know we are on the right track now, so thanks again! Can't wait to see a photo when your done (hint hint ;-) )

Yes I agree about the ceramic butler sinks but I've read negatives about the functionality - chipping, staining and breaking glasses etc. I thought the ss would give me a good compromise with the look (sort of) and the durability. Is it the look of the ss that you're not keen on? I thought it would give the kitchen a 'different' look. I'm going for a Hampton style kitchen - white cupboards with either marble or very light granite bench tops. Thank you very much for your replies. Any more advice or opinions are VERY welcome. PS. All the new appliances will be ss.

I would put a food grade plastic liner inside, with holes punched in it at the bottom for drainage, if your planters are large. If the planters are small enough, just plant into another planter and pop it in.

I redid a whole mustard laminex kitchen once with the wipe on stuff from hardware that binds paint to any surface. It looked amazing ..like brand new. I wouldn't do the bench tops though. Rather.... paint walls a warm white and all cupboard doors a really nice pale grey ( be careful....no blue grey, pink grey or green grey) A soft warm grey. The bench tops might then looks OK for replacement later. When painting...wipe on stuff, follow their instructions, coat of enamal paint, wait 24 hours, light sand and another coat, repeat and then final coat after 24 hours. Remove door handles before you paint and chuck in bin....get new white handles with a rounder shape. Should look good and not cost much. .