@turner3477 YIKES! You already had the "aged look" and a very unique timber cabinet. wherever did you get it? I still think this trend of "paint it black or paint it black and white or paint it white is a psychological dilemma where people don't know how to use colour or are scared of it...or are afraid that they will not be "en trend" and keep up with the "Joneses". Don't mean to insult anyone's sensibilities but its how it looks and feels to me...everything old and genuine and beautiful being veneered to look trendy and plasticky. I'd be delighted to find a timber cabinet like that one as opposed to the the painted white version....and if I was at all tempted to investigate the white one to see what it was made of, my first instinct would be to have a feel and a scratch of that lovely decorative carved frieze above the benchtop....to see if it were made of a plastic mould and just stuck on. Sad to say this but what you have made of this cabinet is "what I call " fashionable fake". One redeeming feature though, whether it has any significance for you at this point in time is that at least under the paint, you know you have a genuine, solid timber cabinet that would have been worth something one day and maybe still will be when somebody, 30 yrs from now, recognises it for what it is and lovingly restores its genuine identity rather than mistaking it for junk and throwing it out to be replaced by the next lot of stage scenery. Wonder what the next "fashionable fake" will be made of when people have forgotten what solid timber and craftsmanship is? Don't know where you live....but would you like to sell me that cabinet at all ? I'd give it the life it deserves and I am sure you could find another one that would look every bit what you want to achieve in your space..(.In fact I could knock up a pretty good imitation replacement myself...not that I'd want it). I like watching` those antique shows in Britian where people bring old wares to be appraised and where antique dealers enter people's homes to buy collectables. It is on these programs that one learns the true value of the timeless pieces...some of which seem like old junk...but what surprises when what looks like junk turns out to be worth investing in! Apart from the above...enjoy your pristine French Provencale dream!

I would have your bench top supplier cut a thin batten of timber in the same 40mm thickness, and fix this as a front to a white melamine shelf. For a couple of reasons. Melamine is easiest to keep clean, whereas a varnish or oiled timber will require constant maintenance and resealing if it is used often, it will discolour and even with the sealant it does not like moisture, being natural, all timbers expand and contract in temp changes. Melamine is stable, and won't be seen from the viewpoint, and the timber front will make it look more substantial. Secondly, this thickness will be necessary to avoid shelf deflection, where lengths over 900mm will commonly sag under weight. Reinforcing your shelf with timber battens will avoid this, and the timber edge strip again hides it. If all this seems a little too hard, just invest in solid timber shelves of around 40mm, but have the tops laminated.

Thanks for your thoughts fiona_ab & ccwhatmough I'm thinking the same thing as far as wooden slats being a great fit for the room, there's a real fine line between creating an open space, allowing light in and keeping a spacious feel to the room. Good point about the reflection in the wardrobe mirrors. There is no specific reason for there to be a 'movable' wall expect to give the option for the room to feel more spacious. At the moment I am thinking about dark wood shutter / louvres. Either one or two panels (if 2 then the second would slide back). I found an example on Pinterest I really like - and have photoshopped it as best I can into the space to see what it would look like - and I think it could really work. The other option is to have the wood white - but I think the dark wood would compliment the other furniture / wood in the apartment. Appreciate any thoughts!

Give me the before any day ! Clean , uncluttered , highlights the wooden floors and door frames , has some colourful art and stools and cushions . I did wonder why you'd put a 1970's microwave on a table , but someone told me that was what TV's were like 100 odd years ago hahaha . More space ? A Bunnings gloss white cabinet on a budget would fit in , or a dark actual wooden one if your budget stretches into the $100's . Shelves above the couch for anyone over 1.8 metres to knock their head on ? 1960's green paint ? A 'nothing' couch ? A weird collection of pictures on a shelf ? A table that can't work out it its wooden or industrial ? That's okay in itself , BUT combined with a slightly strange wooden light / storage thing IN A DIFFERENT WOOD , and the floor different again , well . . . . . . . My quick 'vision' based on the before pictures -- leave as is , but add -- a large red rug ( actually 2 -- one in lounge , one in bedroom ) ; a larger abstract work of art ; a flat screen tv mounted on the wall ; possibly red subway tiles in the kitchen ( my current favourite wall tiles are a mix of 25mm tall charcoal , mid grey , aluminium and mid red tiles ) ; and new lights , but you'd actually live with the existing ones if you had to .