Just to throw another option into the mix – look up Marmoleum for your kitchen floor – it's a modern version of linoleum (not vinyl!). It comes in the most amazing range of colours and looks (about 300 to choose from – from very bright primary colours through all the secondary and tertiary colours, marbled or stripey or plain), has all the green credentials (97% natural components like linseed oil, wood flour, jute etc; nearly 50% recyclable content and 100% biodegradable – it even smells great when it is first laid), extremely hard-wearing, easy to clean and maintain, comes in either sheets, tiles or planks and it is quiet to walk on. It is used in hospitals and schools because of it hygienic characteristics and doesn't give off volatile gases like vinyls. We have put it down in our new kitchen about six months ago and I love it. One of the things I love most is how quiet it is – no clicking, clanking noises as people walk on it. It sweeps clean easily, wipes clean (for spots), mops beautifully every now and then and looks wonderful. Highly recommend it!

I think the bench/breakfast bar along the deck - with bi-fold windows is a fabulous idea. The storage space under the stairs makes more sense to me than a faux fire. An extendable table is definitely the way to go, especially if it is just the two of you most of the time. As for the kitchen sink - I can only suggest that you move your wall cabinet further right - extending the bench and then the sink can be placed further to the right. Downlights above kitchen bench - we have downlights about a metre apart and they provide excellent coverage. With regards to the cupboards being different in living/kitchen areas. I personally think that if you are going all white, they could be identical - creating continuity.

Thankyou so much for all the feedback and ideas. I really appreciate you taking the time to look at it. Annb1997 here’s a photo looking around to the other side of the wall. We have a big sliding door which will provide a good view out to the pool. There is currently a tall bookcase on the other side of the wall but I will move that elsewhere (not in the dining room). I may buy a low cabinet to go on the other side of the wall for storage down the track. My main reason for wanting to see the pool is to be able to see my kids in the pool whilst I’m in the kitchen (washing up, cooking etc). Plus I like the idea of being able to see through to the dining room instead of it being a more ‘closed off’ room. To the right of the dining room is a lounge room. The dining room is about 3mx3m. Down the track we’d like to do further renovations (ie. new kitchen, new flooring which would need to be done at the same time) but that may be years away till we have the money. So I was trying to be practical I suppose, and achieve what I want for a smaller price. However, I don’t want it to look stupid . Juliahocking - interesting idea about the 30cm slots.... you’ve got me thinking... I think that might look good, but I think I want a better view outside. Oklouise - I hadn’t thought of a window. Do you think that would be a more modern way of achieving what I want?

I like to image sent by Kate and I agree it would look good if the splashback was kept at cabinet height above the cooktop then dropped down to half that height for the rest of the room.