I think that they can be very good to let in natural light and give off a view, so if you have something nice to look at like greenery; then absolutely. If you'd be looking concrete or a busy street, then no. If you need something nice and bright you could put a patterned wallpaper or mural behind glass, maybe even with LED strip lighting.

It sounds good to me. I would just double check that 3m of space will be enough to plant the trees you want and still provide a passageway by that side of the house. I like the way that "wood" was incorporated in the picture you originally posted (i.e. under the bench). Or you could do the whole island in timber, like this: [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~85701[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~85701) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~85704[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~85704) A timber bench for the island only, like this: [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/pavilion-house-contemporary-kitchen-sydney-phvw-vp~11003779[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/pavilion-house-contemporary-kitchen-sydney-phvw-vp~11003779) Add a timber light over the bench, like this: [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/northcote-house-contemporary-kitchen-melbourne-phvw-vp~11773106[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/northcote-house-contemporary-kitchen-melbourne-phvw-vp~11773106) Or add some timber shelving at one end of the island bench, like this: [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kalymna-grove-modern-kitchen-melbourne-phvw-vp~4501573[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kalymna-grove-modern-kitchen-melbourne-phvw-vp~4501573)

Hi ysteb1 I found a tile that looks like a light beach style hardwood from National Tiles. They are long (1200mm) and narrow but I think the look will be nice. They are suitable for a bathroom so going to try them out.

I'm going to suggest these grey Montage tiles. I think the Como tiles are nice too. Dark grey will add drama and balance out the dark sink. The mixed tones will tie in the variations of grey and silver in the bench tops, appliances and glass door frames. The stone/slate look will add a natural element to complement the wooden floor and balance out the laminate. If you do go for colour, I like Bernadette's suggestion of complementing the glass colour. A tile that looks like pale jade might be nice.