Ahh the more I look at this the worse I think it looks now, pls help

What are your bench tops? Caesarstone "Sleek Concrete"?

Gallifrey yes sleek concrete, I love it! I'm thinking it looks modern mixed with country due to the stacked stone but it's clashing. Or maybe it's the large gap between the benches :/

We used Sleek Concrete in our recently completed holiday house. Love it too. We had an interior decorator who worked at the tile store we use, match it with tiles from Southern Cross Tiles.

The first thing I see is the big bare wall space above the cupboards - I always think kitchens with high ceilings where the cupboards just stop leaving bare wall, looks unfinished. We have a similar layout/plan in our kitchen but we got a bulkhead built down from the ceiling to close the gap - it changes the whole look - everything looks more finished.

Thanks Robandlyn (and everyone too), we are considering building one now, the other thought was taking the stacked stone all the way up the wall. Would you have a picture of yours Robandlyn that you wouldn't mind sharing?

I do not think you need a bulkhead above the cupboards. Perhaps if you had a flat ceiling and the kitchen went along the entire wall. Besides, to do this now would be very expensive, framing, plaster, paint........

You have a fantastic high sloped ceiling. Do not ruin this effect and open feeling.

Lol - everyone with their own opinion eh? Granted - our kitchen does have a flat ceiling and the cupboards go along the whole length of the wall, but I still think bulkheads look great and more finished whatever the circumstances, and eliminate all the dusting of the tops of the cupboards!!

I will try and get a photo downloaded - I have never had success with downloading photos on this site, I'll ask my tech-savvy kids to help me!

Good Luck with your decisions:)

In the meantime you could search 'bulkheads in kitchen' on this site - there are many examples of various different kinds/styles/sizes of bulkheads that have been built between the tops of cupboards and ceilings to give a more 'built-in' and finished appearance.

https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/mahia-peninsula-phvw-vp~21390824

https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/sigley-phvw-vp~22682332

A couple of examples of bulkheads with a sloping ceiling.

Can not see the stacked stone on the island front- might be nice to have lighting under the benchtop

Just need a nice colourful glass bowl

In my entirely non expert opinion I think you are lacking some colour! The walls would look nicer painted a soft green or blue and agree with what someone else said about baskets, or something else decorative like coloured vases, along the top of your grey cabinets.

Hey El G - once you have sanded your floorboards, are you intending to keep the same colour? It might be worthwhile to consider leaving the styling to afterwards, to colour match, if intending to change colour stain. If keeping as is, my only styling tip would be to place a colourful rug on the floor between the two benches (stove and breakfast bar), which would give a lift to the whole room. The other question I have is in regards to the shelving unit, to the left of the fridge. Is the whole shelving unit made out of stack-stone too? A pop of colour wouldn't hurt in this area also, either by painting just the shelves or by introducing some colourful pieces for display purposes. Either way, I think your kitchen looks great the way it is. The cupboards look great. I think because you have an angled roof, a bulkhead would ruin the overall effect. Good mix of texture and colour.

I think the plants to the right on top of the grey cupboards, and the one on the left are not proportional and a little isolated. Either fill the entire top with a collection of plants (of varying heights) / crockery or something if you would to provide interest or display some treasured possessions, or keep empty.

It's a great kitchen with a neutral colour palette. If you wanted to add some colour and interest you could get a beautiful wallpaper or mural for the back wall with the pantry door.

Thanks everyone for your awesome advice. We have picked up some gorgeous yellow lillies in a white vase for the bench & changed some of the styling, going to look for a bigger plant or oversized vase to go in top of the overhead too. we are thinking of making a stylish computer nook to the left of the fridge out of the same material as the wooden shelves, this might elongate the kitchen & we can play with colour. Does anyone have a computer nook/is it practical?

We bought an old solid wooden tv cabinet (approx 1.8m x 1m) off trademe , then took out the tv shelf. Then made a box for the computer screen to sit on and put some sliders and a shelf inside the box for the keyboard. It had cupboards underneath for storage and when not in use the keyboard is pushed in. These old TV cabinets are very cheap - about $100, because no one wants them now but they are great for a computer office, or put shelves in them and use for a pantry or linen cupboard.

Definitely a rug - it's very comfy underfoot...and a big bowl of lemons/limes on the end of the bench...some statement tea/coffee/sugar cannisters and a Breville kettle and matching toaster (the designs that have the multiple-button options on them) and your favourite colour in the shape of a KitchenAid Artisan - and repeat that colour in the rug?!

Depending on the size of the room, paint the back wall in a dark charcoal colour, put cane baskets stained with the same tones of your floor on top of the high cabinets possibly with hanging plants draped over the top in them, paint the wall over the pantry door in a bright colour like lime and then use a vase with flowers in pinks to brighten up the space. Pinks and limes would look amazing with the dark colours and wood floors in your kitchen IMHO. What colours do you like?