Here's a video of an area of water damaged bamboo being removed and replaced Joyzzz. Maybe you'll consider replacing the area in front of your fridge. Like you I also have bamboo in the kitchen (and pot plants throughout the house), but haven't had any issues with spills marking the floor. It's a shame there's so much variation in the manufacturing process resulting in some floors tolerating spills and others not at all. I do have a damaged board though thanks to a guest leaving a tap running causing an overflow...that I wasn't told about until days later, grrr. Fortunately the damage is in a shadowed corner and the sealer is still intact, so it isn't noticeable, just a wrinkled surface to the touch. Which is lucky, because our home is earth-covered and there is nowhere for water to drain out of the sub-floor as we "tanked" it with a sealer to ensure no moisture can make its way in. That board sat there in a puddle for days! I still wonder why only one board suffered damage, very strange...

Alenka, thanks for sharing those photos. How wonderful. When I moved up to the Macedon Ranges I swore I didn’t want exposed brick or wood paneling. I’d only lived in Victorian, federation or cal bungalow houses in Melbourne, though I appreciate mid century modern design. Then I fell in love with and bought the house in the photo (but hate the light fitting). Even though our family circumstances changed and we had to sell I still love the authenticity of the materials, the attention to detail and the connection all of the rooms have with the outdoors, including main bathroom and toilet. Really bad orientation though so it was cold and dark and very hard to heat in winter. Cool in summer however. Our new build will draw on some of the best aspects of this house, and will include internal recycled brick walls in some rooms for thermal mass and interest, indoor outdoor flow and courtyards, raked ceilings etc, but 8 star energy rating and oriented to take advantage of northern light. I love your house.

I will be the loan naysayer and go: Vinyl Plank timber pattern tiles. I did these in my kitchen and they helped make the room. Used Karndean, but any European brand should be fine (avoid American and assume they are using American or worse if they don't say the country of origin). http://www.karndean.com/en-au/floors/landing-pages/new-looselay-longboard?gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kQ7eEFPH5FlK2IwV3o7ZsbbmJ19srG0OM_tWK5dhPMNyDdwxGPUr4BoCoYcQAvD_BwE Caveats: Ground must be FLAT. 100% flat, ruler FLAT. If not you will have to level. If flat, you can lay them yourself. Our floor had to be levelled and it was tough. still got a few high patches and gaps because of that. However I have done it on a concrete surface myself since and it's beautiful. Benefits: Nice and soft on the foot. (less ankle pain) single tile replacement. Looks fantastic. No PVC glue fume issues and fairly resilient. Do be wary though of metal chair legs scraping the floor. Waterproof! when installed right with no gaps! (why I would choose them in a kitchen over timber or Eeek carpet!.... Yes previous owner installed shagpile carpet in the kitchen).

Jodes, the reason why all of the good kitchens on Pinterest look like they have been photoshopped is because they have. Some of the larger manufacturers (such as Ceaserstone) have a great sample chip service where you can order samples for free to be posted to you. Your perception of your white benchtop will be influenced by the other colours in your kitchen such as the splashback and cabinetwork, as well as the lighting, so making your final decsions at home is always the best. If you are looking for whiteness don't consider a natural stone for your kitchen as these marbles are softer and more porous than the reconstituted stones. You get a more durable surface that is easier to live with a white reconstituted stone. Never base your selection on a photo or an internet image as they are indicitive, and these images lie! Finally when ordering a reconstituted benchtop there is a fair bit of back and forth for the stonemason. A good stonemason will visit to get an template for your kitchen benchtop, then return to his workshop, then cut the stone to match the template, then revisit to install. If you are in a regional area it is worthwhile finding out what brands your local guy will work with. There is no point is making a selection from a brand if the nearest stonemason who will work with that brand is 500kms away! Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls