Hi Mike and Emma Hope you are slowly but surely getting there... may I make some comments/suggestions that you may or not take on board, but hopefully it may at least give you some ideas/options... Going through a new build ourselves at the moment, and for what it's worth, here's what I personally think: A. Work with what you've got: - additional plumbing work, gas work etc may not be necessary and (particularly gas) can be costly when you're trying to work around existing walls, floors, etc, and as much as possible utilise the existing connections... after whatever you can save here and there, you can spend on nicer cabinetery, gadgets, finishes, etc :) B. Avoid unnecessry structural work: - removing the kitchen/living wall is a must (more space, light, etc) but removing the laundry wall is an unncessary added cost (may even require costly additional strutural support) - putting up a plastered wall on the other hand is inexpensive, allows you to redefine different zones and relocate doors/openings where required (*note: avoid hinged doors in small spaces as you have to allow for wasted space to open door - suggest cavity sliding doors, easy to incorporate in a new wall) C. Don't sacrifice functionality and natural light for design - love full height floor to ceiling cabinets, very much on trend... but they also tend to bring the walls in, which you want to avoid in an already small space... they will also block out more natural ligtht from the only window to the living and breakfast bench (meals area)... not to mention seated guests would be staring at a cabinet tower and fridge - on the other hand a walk in pantry (not that much of a walk in a small space) is also very much on trend, provides more storage and... as entertaining guests in open plan livings tends to happen more in the kitchen... it provides a good hiding place for unsightly items, including frigges... (an underbench bar fridge in the kitchen can easily keep those beers cold... though do consider that means sacrificing some cabinet space) - constantly wiping off the floors from dripping wet dishes across the kictchen from the sink to the dishwaser on the other side bench would personally drive me mad after a while... the dishwasher can easily be connected to the existing sink water and waste points through the cabinerty... any half decent plumber should be able to do that... ON THAT NOTE... or should I say those notes... I know I got a bit carried away :) ... if it were me, here's an idea of what I would try to achieve ...

they are listed at the end of the article as timber look tiles floor tiles World of Tiles -TIMMAR 159M - timber look porcelain tiles

What specifically are you looking for? Blum hardware has amazing drawer systems that would be perfect for your tall pantry pull out system, if you were after a full design feel free to give us a call and we may be able to help you out further, with the first quote being free and then it is up to you whether you want to go ahead with out design. If there are any more specific questions you are welcome to post a reply, are happy to answer any queries about different layout designs you are considering. Feel free to give us a call on 03 423 99067 if you would like professional in-depth help :) http://www.blum.com/nz/en/01/80/10/

where are the existing kitchen cabinets and exact position of the sink (and dw?) stove and fridge? ..please include the length of all walls for better understanding of the total space available......but, assuming that the whole end wall is about 3.6m and the existing kitchen cabinets run along the bedroom wall about 3.6m? (with stove sink and fridge?) having matching kitchen cabinets installed under the window with a matching tall 1m wide pantry cabinet in the corner (no more than 60cms deep to allow doors to open without projecting past the corner) would give the best results ...anything else is just a free standing cabinet and with the new cabinets (and new counter and doors for the old kitchen?) you'll have a streamlined new kitchen with three times the storage and counter space with patience and enthusiasm the new cupboards could be made out of flatpac cabinets available in most Hardware stores