Bluemeeru, yes sink is on left next to dishwasher, which is next to the fridge. I never wanted a sink on the island for the same reason. Water splashes and there will always be something drying on the island. I like the option of having a totally clear island if I need it. Yes, I was worried the sink was too far from the cooktop but it works well for me. I did consider putting a narrow sink near the cooktop just in case I needed water during cooking but left it out in the end. The distance from my sink to the edge of the island is 1.5m. Dishes get taken out of the dishwasher and are put away in the drawers in the island nearest to dishwasher side, as my island is 3m wide. From there it is easy to take them out over the island to the dining table or serve the kids who sit on the island for breakfast. It’s 3.8m from sink to centre of cooktop, which could be considered quite far. I suppose I have gotten used the distance.

Thanks Nicole!! We actually went for white grout too in the end, and stacked them (mid century modern house, we thought it fitted better overall). I agreed with you that I wanted the detail of the tile to shine, not the shape of the tile. We still need to paint the rest of the room, etc., but I'm pleased. We had them sealed and used a supposedly more stain resistant grout (Davco Colour Elite). We loved the designs so much we put the 150mm blue jeans version in our pantry!! Thanks again for your reply. Enjoy your new space.

We used Caesarstone as a splashback in our kitchen last year. It is great but be warned that it is thicker than on horizontal surfaces. We didn't know and our prepurchased 5 burner cook top nearly didn't fit as the hole for it was machined too far back as the machinist didn't realise this. As a consequence ours doesn't meet the safety code and we have to be careful hot pots and pans don't touch the splashback or it could get damaged. We would use it again but would plan around the extra thickness. The knowledge of hind sight!

That must have been about 15 or more years ago when a colour consultant swore to me I would love it in my bedroom with a purple accent wall. I had told her I hated the current trim colour in there. Turned out that trim colour was pretty much hogs bristle. Which must have been painted probably 10 years before that by previous owners or more. I put up with it for 10 years till my husband went away for a week and I stripped the room and repainted it completely.