Both options are valid methods of construction. Using a concrecte base is called a Rigid Pavement and does provide a more solid and reinforced pavement structure. It allows you to mortar in your pavers and achieve a very accurate and neat finish. It also allows you to lay thinner tiles, slate or pavers on the surface layer as the strength is provided by the base. It is a more expensive method however. Laying pavers on crushed rock and a bed of sand is called a Flexible Pavement. The weight load is distributed through all the three layers to provide stability. The surface layer needs to be thick enough to be bound together by sand. Therefore your pavers would work in this method. The downside is that you often don't achieve the crisp lines, or the longevity of a rigid pavement. Over time it could settle and move unevenly. Most landscapers I work with recommend paving on a concrete base, however for the pavers you are using, I suggest that it isn't neccessary.

I wouldn't go those dark laminate kitchen cupboards. I have the exact same and I absolutely loathe them now. I use to love the darker colours but now I wish I had just done them white, light gray or even the dark blue (although dark blue worries me a little too!). That dark laminate brown is such an absolute pain to keep clean. They show up every mark. I like your stone bench tops though but would look at other options to create the look you're hoping for with the joins and waterfall benches etc. Goodluck with it all!

They are very nice. Where did you see/find these photos originally? Can you contact the person who posted these photos and ask them where they got these tables from? Otherwise I suggest doing a Google search for small round tables and see what appears. You could be lucky and find them online as you search through furniture web sites. Good luck :)

By finer details, do you mean the aesthetic finishing of rooms eg: skirting board profile, cornice profile, window profile. You have said this is a renovation, with stated only aesthetic changes, not structural. So make a listing of your requirements, then drill that list down. Start from the floor in each room, what type of floor needs installing, what profile skirtings etc etc. what wall finish are you after, what ceiling needs to redone, what cornice profile, what electrical power points need to be installed or removed? Then start on the kitchen, what type of floor is being installed, does the existing flooring need removal? What profile kitchen, what spec of finish for cupboards and bench tops....laminate or stone? What appliances are required, existing or new?? Once you have this list with all your requirements for EACH room, then go to your chosen builders and SPEAK to them so they can cost the work that is required. If you know the level of specification you are after, the builder may have different choices to stay within your budget. Are there special aesthetics you would like included in this renovation...include those in your overview of each room. When you are presented with a contract from your chosen builder, make sure the details are as per your WRITTEN requests.