I had the same problem too. I rang Dulux and had a paint consultant come in. I have chosen the white exchange full strength throughout the double story house as we have a lot of natural light with vivd white ceilings and WA white doors and trims. The bedrooms I have 1/2 strength white exchange with vivd white ceilings. I wanted my white kitchen to pop with the wall paint colour. Our kitchen cupboards are polar silk white with moose silk contrasting and ice snow bench tops. Hopefully it all blends with the spotted gum floorboards. We have not installed the kitchen yet. I hope it all comes together. Good luck.

Thanks for your congrats and comments guys! I would appreciate any advice about the rooms! I'll pop a pic of original kitchen so you can see. The things that stand out are probably the Ceiling Roses- those suggested lights are amazing. I would looove to get those for above the dining table. Budget might stop me though. Any suggestions for something less pricey? I have an industrial type cage cluster light I was thinking about (photo below) There is two sets of columns, maybe I could make the most of them buy painting them grey

my suggestion would be to keep the new kitchen in proportion to the size and scale of the whole house so i prefer option 2 with cabinets only as high as the top of the window, tall narrow fridge (less than 80cm wide) next to the back door with wall mounted mw and wall cabinets all round, no tall cabinets, more counter on the fridge wall then stove, sink and dw along the window wall to make sure that there is counter on either side of the stove and sink and locations for a toaster, kettle and other appliances..but exact location of appliances depends on budget and sizes of all the cabinets you want to use.. but, if you plan to remove gas in future, why not start with electric appliances and best insulation ready to add solar power at a future date? ...eg check out the electric air sourced hot water heaters and consider an electric flame heater for the kitchen fireplace and save the gas heater for the hew rear living area although it may be possible to have one heater with hot air connected to the other rooms with an in roof ducting system and, if you have long term plans to alter the rear lean-to research options for renovating the whole house and then plan all the work in stages...eg i would have the new laundry/bathroom next to the refurbished bedroom (master suite?) and have the future new rear living area with the north aspect

I really like the ceiling, as others said it gives it atmosphere and frames the view. When you say pine, I'm thinking you mean the finest of all the pines - Oregon which is fine grained and a warm honey colour. I have a cathedral ceiling and I would gladly swap my bland white faux Hamptons look with you any day! I would look at a large rug for the floor - if the budget is small, find a carpet that you like and get it edged as a rug - my favourite hack. I agree to bring in some black in the curtain rods and swap out al that cream/yellow paint for a neutral white. Your kitchen reminds me of mine circa 1998. Change the splash back to something neutral. Even white painted glass or a white textured or interestingly shaped tile. Swap out your bar stools for timber and introduce some timber elements in the kitchen to match the roof. Think chopping boards,, timber bowl for fruit, utensil holders, pot plants. Paint the walls white as well. All the creams in the world won't help the ceiling look better. you need to work with it not against it. Good luck and keep us up to date!