yvonne.. re sanding cupboards I had mine professionally sanded because they were looking worn. timber is American Oak and it really didn't lighten very much by sanding. so depending on your timber you might not achieve much. i would change a few upper cabinets with glass doors, white perspex or remove a few doors, paint the back of shelving and hang wine glasses or whetever and break the load that way. I replaced my range hood with a pull out chrome one and that in itself made a difference nt tying in with the chrome handles. see pictures. maybe you could paint the legs or reupholster the stools to white...all part of the kitchen.

Wilson Art also have a range of matte anti-fingerprint laminates. I just discovered them through my cabinetmaker. Not sure of price but I believe these laminates (and those of Laminex Industries) are in their 'premium' range. I, too, am curious to know how cost compares to other laminates and even 2 pac

I'm merely seconding a lot of opinions above. So, I would paint the cabinet, the window frame and also the inner side of the door a dark shade of aqua/blue like Resene Astral, Bismark or Blumine. Paint the walls a dove white. Paint the mirror in antique silver and lower it, remove that strip of gold tile above the white and try something else to match the walls or tiles. The taps are lovely, so leave as is and try to match the cabinet handles in a similar style. I'm sorry to say this, but after changing some of the other stuff, the floor needs to be changed to a lighter shade of tile. It's too dark. Good luck. Hope we get to see the finished bathroom.

You are kind to say that, Julie. Hubby also washed and polished the floorboards in the two rooms we decided to retain. They look much better as well. This has been fun project; don't quite know what I'll do with myself after it's completed! :) although, in saying that, there is the garden here to keep us occupied...!