We would recommend using the same timber as the floor if you can. This would make sense and keep your material palette as simple as possible - there are some fantastic timber finishing treatments available that will provide a durable surface that is easy to maintain. There may be a way that you can introduce a separate timber element say 40-60 thick that sits on top of the existing solid top... perhaps a bit like the kitchen in this image by 'Beef Architects'http://www.contemporist.com/2013/06/21/riverpark-apartment-by-beef-architects/ap_210613_07/

I havent tested this myself, but a Ceaserstone Rep recently told me to add a little bit of bleach to the cream cleanser they supply and soak the area. Apparently they do it all the time! Like I said, I havent tried this myself. Maybe try to replicate the stain on a sample piece first and see if it works before trying anything on the benchtop. Also beware of getting 'biro' on engineered stone benchtops.. its evil! Good luck, I feel your pain its awful when expensive ticket items get damaged before you even have a chance to enjoy them. :-(

I think a clear (Lucite?) console table would work well, with perhaps a plant in nice timber plant stand and possibly a decorative basket underneath. A smallish bowl on table could serve as a holder for keys, sunglasses, etc., unless you already have a drop-off point in entryway. I do like idea of other for potted plant in hall upstairs, but perhaps not in path of stairs, esp with those two doors located there. Here are photos to give idea.

Wow...you’ve all given me so much to think about! Kate Partenio - I hadn’t even thought of garage fumes...definitely something we will consider going forward. Re: traffic through pantry/kitchen..this doesn’t bother us so much given we don’t have kids but worth thinking about for resale down the track. Oklouise - I love your sketch but upon redrawing it myself I realised that the kitchen bench will likely be the same size as it is now, as we would want it to be flush with bedroom 2. Also in your sketch (and in relation to marie4509’s suggestions) the pantry would have to be a straight line pantry rather than one that has a bench/shelving going across horizontally - unfortunately that space is just too narrow which is why we were thinking of it for the laundry. I don’t know about all of you but I feel like a straight line pantry still feels like just a pantry, rather than a full out butlers pantry! That all being said, we will consider moving the internal garage door to lead straight into the main hallway, rather than through the butlers. This would eliminate concerns of fumes to kitchen directly + problem of foot traffic through kitchen. It would also give us more counter space + storage in the butlers. I must say I’ve never been a fan of garage entry doors being visible to guests, but it seems this would be the only real solution. Looks like I’ll have to let go of my dream of a bigger bench :( Thanks all for your suggestions and sketches - what an amazing community I’ve walked into.