Luv yr ideas as I'm doing my kitchen exactly the same colours and same natural oak as a contrast except I have existing black granite bench tops ,so doing large drawers in a matt black!! Just getting quotes now! Have u had yrs done yet? I'd luv 2 c it!

Are they structural or decorative? If not structural it could be time to remove them and replaster a more contemporary ceiling. Or you could clad them in a gorgeous recycled timber to give them a more organic solid look. Easiest way would be to continue the charcoal paint to the beams... but lighten the feature wall to a complimentary steely gray. Some chunky timber shelves either side of the stonework with books, ornaments and lighter pictures with a pop of colour will soften it.

Depending on your taste of course, I would introduce some colour - either as tiles or a glass splashback. Personally I think you will need to fill the entire area otherwise there are simply more lines to take in and will create an unwanted feature. We've had a glass splashback painted back and it was super easy to clean. For one kitchen, we've gone for a bright yellow to give it some pop. You can also have photos too but it's not as easy as the file sizes mean that they need to be taken/supplied by a professional photographer. If tiles is your preference, there are many great patterned tiles out now. Good luck!

Hi Linda You'll have to weigh up the cost of painting the doors or completely new fronts as with existing you are stuck with design feature. (Unsure whether you can turns cupboards inside out.. after painting and patching?). Love the idea of white door with frosted glass - slider would be better but that's getting structural. I would get rid of the cream so replace splashback with new fresh tiles, glass etc If go with a paint spruce up, paint all the cabinetry white EXCEPT the built in unit with the fridge, oven and shelves in it, paint that dark like your beams in the living space. Some nice pops of colour accessories on the shelves would look funky. It will be a feature. Lighting pendant as mentioned would be white with dark feature. If you decide everything white, then black pendants. If you paint the back wall cabinetry white you could also put some wallpaper at the back of the shelving for fun. Paint existing walls in kitchen area white as well (the living area looks white?). Best of luck. Please post end result.