Under sink drawers are a wonderful use of space, giving you easy access to what always gets pushed to the back & forgotten or can't be found. Drawers for plates etc. I find overhead cupboards hard to access what is at the back be it glasses or cups or foodstuff, so having these too deep is not practical. Pull out vertical shelves for your jars & packets. I like the idea of under cupboard & kick-board lighting. Have you considered a dust vent that you can sweep all your crumbs etc into? They are similar to ducted vacuum units & fitted at floor level under a cupboard. Also incorporate storage for all your appliances to hide them away. If you go with a glass splash-back, make sure it is clear glass as some is green tinged can ruin your intended effect. Enjoy your new kitchen.

Lovely kitchen you have, and a butlers pantry is heaven. I think the shelves next to the fridge make the kitchen come undone. Why not extend the shelves along the wall. You can add books, style the shelves and have practical and design options in the space. Once you put a rug, I would do a round one like armadillo and co make the floor feature with a small round table sitting on the rug. Just search small round table and everyone from Kmart, Ikea to custom will have something in your price range. I think you need to soften the look with wooden chopping boards, a few rustic elements and maybe a collection of similar items on the top of the cabinets. Happy styling

Hi love the new house, 1) all I could suggest is that first of all don't have a new entrance/gate in line with the front door, off set it. You could replicate another post next to the drive way and if council would allow move one of the original panels across that opening which would move the gate even further along then build a new stone wall beside the driveway. (Or use the new stone wall to swing a tall wide gate from the left hand side which would close to a new timber? post attached to the old stone post) 2) Are you planning on leaving the verandah open to the driveway? you could make this the entrance with a lockable gate and possibly only one timber step up to the decked area, to get access to the courtyard timber steps on the RH side of the deck would work really well leaving a lovely large space for table and chairs etc 3) plant the courtyard with screening plants, clumping bamboo is very popular at the moment

Just my opinion but I think either the stackstone or the above from Bunnings would suit I feel the stackstone gives a little extra texture without being 'in your face' and it does not offend me with your balcony tiles at all I kinda like it. I am all about asthetics and as a retired art restorer (still keeping my hand in a little though some people don't like me retired :) ) I have always been about asthetics and symetry , I like things to match but not too overdone, a bit of restraint as long as you look at it and it just works BTW you have a great view lots of greenery and trees that in itself is art to me. I am sure if you choose either it will look good I prefer the stonework that should never date but then neither would the composite decking, I think that the part you wish to do can take a little extra texture without 'fighting' the asthetic but that is my opinion, I realize we are all different and have differing ideas the main thing is YOU have to be happy with your decisions. I am sure you'll get there:)