Hi Sue, I think it would look amazing if you used some tiles with a bit of texture. The wood look tiles that are popular at the moment would be an example. If you chose a colour that toned in with your floor you would get a really nice cohesive look but with a bit of interest. I've attached a photo of a recent design of mine as an example. Just a suggestion!

what a beautiful house, could you look at using sliding glass doors/louvered panels etc on the alfresco area to close it off during winter, it is Melbourne, this would enable you to use this space all year and would enlarge your space for entertaining, might have to re think doors though. I would have a door/s off the kitchen and not windows Tiled step over to shower needs to be removed to make the floor all the same level. The high ceilings are a great advantage adding to a feeling of space. The large dark sideboard in the entrance makes that space look smaller, so you will be able to improve on that Absolutely love the flooring We have friends who had one dining table and chairs which they moved between the indoor dining and the alfresco area, depends how formal you want to be, this allowed for more indoor space when needed. Bear Gully Coastal Cottages Victoria. Remembering parties we have had in an open plan design, everyone ends up hanging out around the kitchen, if you had an open fire it would be there. Perhaps move the study upstairs As the following idea, knowing that there are load bearing issues to address

This is an Australian site, we work in centimetres. So 30" is 66cm,and 36" is 90cm. Assuming the oven is on the 18ft side, then I would definitely go 36". Do you get a 24" oven or 60cm oven where you are? You could install two 24" ovens. Then you only need to heat up a small oven for everyday use, and you have the option to run both ovens when cooking for a crowd. All the best.

For drawers I would suggest one shallow drawer and two deeper drawers below. The following depths. 120 internal 180 front height 240 internal 290 front height the width of the drawers will depend on the best measurements for your kitchen space. i would do two sets of drawers next to your existing 450 wide bank of drawers. Keep those drawers for cutlery etc. new drawers can be used for cups and pots and plastic ware and food, whatever you like. if installing a freestanding oven, you will lose the other cupboards, keep the existing drawers that are under oven, convert oven to another cupboard. leave cupboards under sink. Or if budget allows have the same set up as above, with cut out allowing for sink plumbing.