Aside from how you want your kitchen to function, you need to consider what depths and hues can do for a space. Basically if you have high ceilings, darker cabinetry for your overheads can really draw the eye upward and highlight the feature but if your ceilings are standard it can feel heavy and encroach the negative space. Lighter overheads will reflect the light so the negative space will feel larger. Dark colours are also used to create depth in a room, to draw it back further visually. In my opinion darker lowers would work if you like the two tone look, it will break up the light flooring. Keep in mind you don't have to use colours that are contrasting, try pulling samples together that are a few shades deeper in harmonious hues, much like your picture provided. When it comes to the splash back you can opt for a texture in similar colour family to create interest without adding too many colours. Perhaps a penny round, hexagon, hand made subway or the same stone you choose for the benches. Don't stress about paint colours right now as there are thousands that you can choose to complement your kitchen. Hope this helps!

I’d be careful using other wood pieces (like the coffee table and the one in the corner) which don’t match the floor tiles. Too much contrast. More white furniture (like white dining chairs or a white side buffet) should be added to help balance out / soften the dark floor. Avoid any large black pieces though. A cement top coffee table would look nice colour/texture wise, and would offset the dining table nicely. More texture and colour can be added through cushions, throws, table runner, and rugs. Teal is my favourite so I’m definitely biased, but it goes well with natural elements like what you have. See if you can find a large picture for the wall with a dark wood frame which matches (as much as possible) the floor tiles. The picture itself should include some teal colour. That will really start bringing the whole room together.

Hi siriuskey I apologise for not replying to you earlier but I have been reviewing your last plan over and over wanting to use the layout of the kitchen but concerned about the other changes. My main concern was the wiw/laundry area and the loss of a room, either the study or bed 4. But the idea gave me food for thought and I have been trying to work out a solution. Where there’s a will there’s a way! I can see exactly what you mean about having the Butler’s Pantry in front of the window which was a major concern of mine even though I thought the servery was a really good idea. Thank-you for taking the time to point this out …and in such depth which would’ve been very time consuming for you! I must admit it was a surprise to see the kitchen placement in your last layout. I would never ever have thought about doing that but loved the idea! I have tweaked the plans a little by simplifying some of the changes and adding a few of my original ideas and I think I have come up with a solution. I will be very interested on your thoughts! I placed the existing furniture (to size) into each of the rooms to see how it works with the new layout. Oh… and I love your suggestion about being able use the dining/family rooms as either! I have also left the wall between the family room and lounge to see how it works before removing it completely but opened it up with double doors allowing entry from the front door to the main area...and a view of the fireplace is always welcoming. It’s a great idea for a toilet and shower to service the pool area under the deck downstairs…I think that would work as there’s no limestone there (and no we’re not in SA) but I’II look at that once I get organised with these plans! Thank-you again for your time and help…your feedback on my ‘tweaking’ would be greatly appreciated!

my suggestions are based on zoning the areas for multiple cooks and helpers and has a bar open to the living area from both ends with an optional privacy door between bar and pantry and no door between kitchen and pantry, the island should be much narrower for quick meals and the arrangement of drawers and supporting post under the island allow for cook's stool spacebtw, unless you prefer to iron in the laundry the laundry and mudroom seem a little generous at the expense of the small study that could also be a useful downstairs emergency sick room