Hi Claudia I love your material choice so far for your new kitchen. Tiled splash backs are certainly on trend and allow you to add that pizzaz. Glass splash backs are a little dated in my opinion. Tiles are always fashionable and add texture and interest, you don't necessarily have to choose a coloured tile as this may date in time. I used a simple subway tile laid in an elegant herringbone pattern recently for a client and the effect is stunning. check out my website for images

I love that look too - it's bright, clean and classic without being stark. Think about a warm white as it'll pick up warmth of Creme Brulee caesarstone. Perhaps look at Dulux Antique White. Remember too if there's a colour that matches your caesarstone and you like it you can do it in half or quarter strength so that it tones but isnt the same. If you can only get small paint chip samples grab a bunch of them and tape them together and put them in the space your cabinets will be with a sample of the caesarstone - paint colours change depending upon light. Good luck.

Have you worked out how you will stop the hot summer sun coming into the kitchen? I have lived in a couple of houses with west facing kitchens, and the hot afternoon sun in summer makes life difficult when trying to cook dinner.

There is nothing wrong with laminate benchtops, except when they are trying to look like something else. A plain, solid colour laminate bench looks much classier than a laminate bench that is trying to look like a natural stone (and failing). Natural stone benches have different edging and a different feel to the touch, so they never fool anybody, and make you look like a try-hard. I probably wouldn't go with a white, as the whites that you currently have won't match (there are hundreds of different whites), and by introducing another white into your colour scheme means that one of these elements will look cream, or dirty, or too grey. A plain black, or charcoal. laminate bench, with square edging is simple, understated and classy. If you can't live with black, consider some of the darker, concrete coloured greys, unless you have the colour confidence to choose something that pops. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls