Having lived for years with a front loader in the kitchen under counter and now with a good sized laundry I am resenting the laundry for the space it wastes! I would rather have a "european solution" and a good en-suit and walk in :) really it is a matter of how you want to live, in reality if you spend your life considering resale you won't enjoy your home, prospective purchasers will love or hate whatever you do, those that don't want a space solution will be the ones who want the big ensuite and robe anyway! Do it with love then others will love it too, good luck

Couple cases here Luke, I taught my son how to cook at least the basics that he liked, steaks, salads, veggies he loved. I also taught him how to do his own laundry and certain minor repairs and improvements to his clothes.. 7 years ago he and his girlfriend of the time were up. He got very upset, because he said she did not need operating instructions. Apparently all his women think he does not know how to do anything. Hubby #1 and #2 have both had me cook for them for years, 10 for the first and 21 for the second. Don't get me wrong, they both chop, nobody likes to see me with a knife in my hand. hubby one liked salads so he learned to make dressing. he probably did something else too, but i do not remember. Hubby 2 same way, a way too hot chili, washing up, chopping, spaghetti sauce, steak. He had to do all the cooking for over 3 years due to Big C. I forgot how many things i don't like til he started his short order navy cook ways. Uggh I am so glad that I am well enough to at least start the meal, he normally does the last couple stirs and serves. In the summer, i actually would cook the whole thing sometimes. Now I guess when you divorce you have to take parting shots, especially if you are the one in the wrong. First hubby made 2 "There is such a thing as being too good a cook" and the other one was equally ridiculous in my opinion! Serve we now our favorite foods... Making sure it sweetens our tudes.... Falalala lalala!

I spent ages figuring out the lay out of our kitchen and am really happy with the result (four months in). We put the sink on the back wall, under a window and love looking out. Make sure there is a bin drawer next to the sink. Ours goes bin, sink, dishwasher, drawers, stove, drawers, oven stack. I think the passages in your kitchen area are a bit narrow. We have 1300mm between the benchtop edges. People can then pass each other easily and it doesn't matter if the drawers or dishwasher is open. The island then has drawers holding the plates and cutlery. You can unload the dishwasher straight into the opposite drawers which the kids love. You have two lots of corner cupboards in the pantry and might be better off with one straight line as I don't believe you gain much more and it will feel more spacious. Consider leaving a space on the kitchen side of the island so you can sit too. I hate standing while entertaining and everyone else is sitting at the island! Hope that helps.

Go with your gut Tracy..... it is a big investment but I have found that if it makes you smile every time you walk into your kitchen you'll never regret it!!!! I've recently moved into a smaller downsized home with my 3rd black kitchen, with drawers, no cupboards, except for the pantry which we use as the crockery and wine glasses stash. Mine is matt but no handles = no hip bangers! I chose to use snow white stone bench tops, the walls are painted natural white while the floors are pale oak hybrid vinyl.