Nice work everyone. I'm always torn with the use of water in the landscape. I think labeling it natural looking or man made gets us in trouble. Its all about the design and placement of each element. That's the first step in pulling it off. There is balance and symmetry to this feature that suggests man made. The surrounding architecture and space available demands that. As you show us the look of a more natural feature is with the materials. Labeling it man made or natural is only a debate that takes away from a job well done. Very Cool!!! Craig

The total cost of the project was $24,000 which included removal of the old kitchen and all trades to install the new kitchen and appliances.

Fantastic job Julie, well done to you both. Love the dramatic leaning posts at the front door. Love the bottom bathroom :-) You've created one of the best free-standing bath situations I have seen. The kitchen is sleek, your colour and texture palette has loads of variety but pulls together beautifully. I love the happy face windows on the end wall, and that you swapped out the two windows for four above the garage. And that you took the screen beneath the three small windows all the way from window to ground, again, great drama at the entrance. Good luck staying under the radar if you keep putting talent like that on display.

If you want Scandi or rustic then an oak benchtop on your existing kitchen and new door handles will do wonders. I know you don't want wastage but your kitchen is already 30yrs old so it's hardly that. It's the colour of the benchtop that dates the kitchen the most. A solid oak benchtop is a very minor update that will last at least a few decades to come. If you update the splashback then use a composite board or pressed tin over the existing tiles it's economical and fast with impressive results. I'd go pressed tin in brick or traditional geometric if I wanted rustic. You can have it powder coated any colour you like before installing and they do look great in modern homes. Easy to clean as well. Here's a smart modern example of a final look....Oak and pressed tin on white kitchen I would see painting either tile or laminate as a last choice. Unless you have it done professionally (they use an acrylic resin not paint btw) and spray it on with professional spray guns, it generally looks terrible and wears even worse. Having it done professionally is surprisingly expensive and you may find the upgrades above are the same or similar cost. I wouldn't change your top cabinets for open shelves unless you love cleaning and the look of clutter. It looks fab on Pinterest but that's because they've got those shelves styled with rows of uniform bowls, glasses and canisters. I have in them in my current home the only way they look good is if you do exactly the same. I bought sets of canisters and changed all my glasware for that reason. With the usual mishmash of items in a normal house they aren't a good idea.