I've noticed a recent trend of the vertical color on the island matching the vertical color on the splashback. Liking that trend. So I would say go with the turquoise glass splash back color. Deepen it a little so the hue is closer to that of the floor. Cant tell from pic whether island cupboards are the same color as cupboards above the splashback. If they are, all the better. That then brings the turquoise/white combo forward into the room and gives some unity.

I'm about to put a cooktop on the 2.3 x 900 peninsular (island with only one free end ( in my new galley kitchen. I am using an induction top so it can be fitted flush with the benchtop surface, allowing me to use the whole area as benchtop when not in use. I intend to have bar stolls on the living room side for entertaining. My joiner has suggested making a beautiful, thin timbercover to go over the glass induction surface for added protection. I just need to decide on down draft induction hob or a ceiling casette. My main aim is to remove the smelly cooking smells from my unit. The smell from one evening of cooking indian chicken curry currently lasts at least a week! Any advice?

We are planning similar and have 4.4 m to play with on the back wall and are going to fit in the fridge, double sink with detachable drainer and 800 cooktop with under bench ovens -it only leaves 1m of prep space between the sink and the cooktop -but we think will be fine (less than we would like tho) as we have a 3m bench behind for prepping too. We were really keen not to put an appliance/sink in the island. If you have 4m it will be tight perhaps -if you were happy to put your sink in the island it could work

big project - as siriuskey has questioned such an expansive reconfiguration and extension under and existing upper level is not going to be cheap, but sometimes it's the only way to achieve the project requirements, like here accommodating large living/entertaining areas...... There are always many different ways of achieving project needs. Without knowing the full context/space at the front and/or garage requirements hard to suggest specific options, but for example the garage could be repurposed for the extra space you're after without needing to go as agressively with changing existing structure and consider alternative / cheaper vehicle housing out the front i(f this is possible but depends on setbacks and the project priorities & budget limits). As a start suggest you get accurate sized furniture on the plan so you can see clearly how these spaces are going to work and flow - they may need to be bigger or smaller than you initially think - when designing resolve internal function and planning/flow/paths of movement etc first and then build in the structure, walls etc around the function (think "inside-out" rather than "ouside-in" - this way you'll get a much more balanced and more aligned outcome in regards to your goals/needs good luck PD www.pauldistefanodesign.com