This is a very interesting question and one that comes up quite often. The standard height for benchtops is 900mm from finished floor level. this has been the standard height for near on 100 years. Now, the issue is that over the last 100 years, the human race as a whole has increased in height. Even a small increase in bench height can have a huge impact on the usability of the kitchen. Have you ever stood at a sink and your back starts to ache after 5 minutes? Most of our kitchens are installed at 920mm, but some will go in higher "IF" the owners are taller

Don't 2 pack anything. Think of it like a plastic bag covering the wood. If there is any penetration to that bag the sub straight is unprotected and can not be repaired. I have a scratch on my jarrah bench that I will repair in the next day or so and will post the outcome.

Hi Vicki, I would like to put if my two pennies worth too, please: And go back a step..... The scullery: you have a sink and dishwasher in there? If so why not have the 1 1/2 sink and drainer in there. On the island have just a little sink for rinsing veg, filling kettle, topping up saucepan, rocks for the scotch water supply but with no drainer in the island? Then the major dirties will go straight to the scullery and island sink is for smaller usage. And I would put it not right at the end maybe but towards the dining end to allow the longest usable bench for prep. The design of the scullery does not seem quite right to me. There is a dead corner: yes I know that is one of my pet hates. But also is this going to be a pantry for store of foods and or do you envisage using it with appliances on the benches? If it is either of these do you want to dirties mixed with the food prep and store? Solution: have two benches facing each other. the one backing bedroom(?) use for sink, DW and second 'frige. Separate. The other for appliances on bench and food store above and below. I would incorporate the pantry cupboard into pantry room bringing the door along to the front of the main fridge. Then put the oven tower next in the kitchen: it is in a safer place and close by to mix master (on bench in pantry) for slipping a cake into! The high things are then altogether and the bench will slip down to the day bed being a more relaxed aesthetic. I know I hear it you want the cook top centred to look lovely! Possible you still can do that but as long as there is at least 1200 benching beside it for a USEFUl piece of bench. Yes as someone earlier said you can use an under mount sink and have grooves in stone for drainer but I wonder about the cleanliness of the hidden seal. The stone will chip on the edges of the sink, the outer edges of the island and all benching if the boyz are not careful: a school ruler or wooded spoon handy for clumsiness might be a good disincentive for rushing!! I hope this helps and doesn't thro a turkey among the souffle! Cheers, Margot

Think about the usage of the space. Do you want to face the dining room or alfresco when in the kitchen.? When using the cook top do you want a full bench for placing items opposite or just a metre of bench.? How will you use the space inside the large window? If the island is at right angles, would it be in the way of any potential view through that window? Your house....you have to work out what is practical to your household.