There is a great material called Forbo "desktop" furniture linoleum. It comes off the roll so can be made any size and has a great range of colours. It is also comfortable as a base to write on, We often use it to protect timber, painted or glass work surfaces in home office applications. You can find details of the material here: http://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-au/products/marmoleum/furniture-linoleum/b58s3s

Hi Deanne, When you say you are doing the kitchen, does that mean you have to do the planning (design) and specifying of it also? I would have thought Storybook supplied a home with the (kitchen) plans included? If not, your builder will be able to guide you, however here are a couple of tips... 1. Choose your appliances early AND STICK WITH THEM. Often individual appliances have specific needs outside of standard eg power requirement (over 10amps), rangehood ducting direction and type, clearances to overhead cupboards, water to fridge etc. 2. Using the appliances, work out the layout (design) of the kitchen and where you want the cooking, cleaning, fridge etc. From there you need to work out power point locations for all appliances (many people forget the microwave) plus the everyday items like phone chargers, toaster, kettle etc. 3. Go to kitchen display showrooms such as Laminex. They have completed kitchens on display where you can understand the difference between a waterfall end (benchtop style), a shaker profile door (Hampton's style cabinet front) and play around with colours and finishes. 4. Put it all together in detail and you have created a specification! Re finding a builder, I agree with the above. Get a couple of names from Storybook as you don't need beginner mistakes, and go with the builder you guys are COMFORTABLE with. Price is only part of the journey. Good luck with the build.

Kitchens are the heart of s home. You need breakfast stools at your bench so people can chat to you whilst prepping/cooking. Or kids helping or eating brekkie. tables are lower so don’t work as well. It’s not about the view for these purposes. 4 stools at least with backs hopefully and allow them to tuck under bench top to clear circulation to sliders. I would keep all within current footprint. Island: min 900 (at ends) & 1200 from other benches. If u go too wide it makes it more difficult to work. Too many steps. I can stand next to my dishwasher and unload into drawers opposte without moving with 1200. And can work on island whilst someone at sink behind Up to 1500 from sliders if having stools there. Love to see finished pics I like your style. Good luck

this is'nt a wooden rangehood....it's a simple framework with added trims built to resemble a fireplace with a very high opening and a built in exhaust system ...a more elaborate than usual wall cabinet that can be built by a carpenter or cabinet maker...talk to the plumber and electrician for advice about a suitable rangehood or exhaust system that will function at the higher level than the standard height above the cooktop...you may have some luck with a commercial product designed for commercial kitchen then, once you have a suitable rangehood the cabinet can be built around it