Hi White Elk, that's helpful although not exactly what I was wanting to do. What I am hoping to do is have a microwave above a double oven. Don't want microwave to be higher than 1450mm at the most, and preferably at 1400 and double oven is 895mm, so base of oven would be at about 500. There some photos in houzz which are bit helpful, but I was wondering if anyone had a similar set-up to what I'm describing. Thanks MmQc

Besides the fact that it isn't my style (and thus I agree with oklouise to sell on ebay...), the first thing which strikes me, is the crammed working area: stove/ sink/ prep. How can you operate in that space? Other side appears to be too far away to be practical? Then the fridge! If you have an expensive and very ornate kitchen, you can't have a free standing fridge! One way or another your fridge has to be integrated, which brings you back to the style question. Either you like the style and just want to i.e.white wash it (liked that option, if you are into beachy, country), then you need a matching door made up (I'd calculate 2K) and buy an integrated fridge (A$ 2-4K) or you don't like the deco, lay-out, impractical space and want to replace it all, then you can possibly get away with a free-standing fridge in a much less ornate kitchen. If you basically don't mind the kitchen and can work well in the crammed working area, or your budget doesn't stretch to a new one (think about $ 25k+), I agree with the white wash solution and taking off all the excessive ornaments and trims, putting in a flat SS or glass range hood. Also install rails with hooks next to cook top and hang your utensils, you need every square inch on the counter! Microwave to be incorporated perhaps under oven and off benchtop. Maybe spend the money and buy a matching Miele microwave, will look nice with the oven. Look into brightening the gloomy kitchen (on top of white wash) by changing the black bench top and splash backs with light ones. It might save $$ if you just get the ex one covered ( I guess about A$ 6-7k). If it was my kitchen I would definitely sell it, before spending all that money on bench tops, fridge door, integrated fridge, m/w integration, removal of trims, painting, splash back etc. and still end up with a mediocre and impractical kitchen. Would be very interested to see more of your actual style. Can only make out an Ikea shelving unit on one photo... Your decision has a lot to do with the longevity (and cost) of a kitchen, your actual style and the practicability of the ex kitchen! If you can afford it, think long term and maybe save up for THE kitchen you want. If you want some tips on how to keep costs in check and still get a great result for a new kitchen, just contact me. Good luck.

Look at the range of timber bench tops at Bunnings. Nothing better than a timber look, with real timber. https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/kitchen/benchtops/timber

I’m in Perth, and have never seen a gap between cabinet and bench top like that, we don’t tend to use substrates here. I DO NOT think it is correct. Any load on the bench, may crack the bench top because it is not sitting flush on cabinets for support. I have attached a photo of the underside of my cabinets. I have checked all the cabinets and bench, they are all sitting flush, no gap.