just viewed your imagined dilemma - the jade colour of doors - are they a laminate - if they aren't - yes if you desperately need a change - have white laminate (like the whole neighbourhood). but if the jade cupboards are definitely laminated I would not replace - for the jade is stunning. Furthermore, you would make a good move to extend the black high-gloss laminate to those floor-level cupboard doors which currently have a wood strip (which the previous owner did (I presume)I would suggest you have a single black strip definitely 2inches high inserted as a line in that area. (this job must be done by an experienced laminator - to perfection (this will eliminate the eye-sore strips of wood.( but it must be applied as a continuous band (from a to b) - not bits - Furthermore, the high-gloss black floor-boards will look good so close - meeting each other. I NOTE YOU WOULD DO WELL WITH A LARGISH SLEEK KITCHEN SINK ( YOU SEE BY DOING THESE SMALL CHANGES YOU ARE GETTING A WHOW KITCHEN. Am I imagining the green which seems to extend to the ceiling line is not cupboards up there if that is so do not take the green up to the cornice - the cupboards are the feature not the walls - the cornice in that room should be taken out - having the plastered wall reaching the ceiling without cornice. Your kitchen cupboards are the feature.(it would be good to paint upper walls and ceiling. Just "off white" I am reluctant to tell you the kitchen window should be wider as the kitchen has a message but the window is like a poor relative. If you carry-out these changes - the kitchen should be free of everything else - no utensils on the stove, nothing on benches or on top of other areas - the colour and impact - that is all that is needed (plus it has become modernised) - despite your belief that white is in - maybe in hospitals. Good Luck

Cheapest thing to do would be to paint the doors put a bit of timber benchtop from Bunnings and perhaps mirror the back panel, but where's the Bar Fridge going or are you planning a bigger fridge nest to this. As Louie suggested it might be better to get rid of the old as there's no place for a much needed Bar Fridge, A Barn door of whatever style suits you would work well, you can pick up second hand doors with character for this. Then again some Bunnings timber benchtop , (Mel) fitted & supported by beams screwed into the rear and sides of the nook and hidden by a strip across the front as your bench top. With a bar fridge under this, floating shelves above on the wall for bottles /glasses and DVD player etc, much easier to use the DVD when it's not in a cupboard love the room.

Hi, I know this is a long time after your first notes but I can't help but comment. I love the idea of the shallow wall that goes to the ceiling with a ladder. We lived in a home where the refrigerator was outside on the porch due to lack of space. With very few cupboards, I did a couple shelving units built between studs like that. I measured the height of each shelf away from the one above it with my canned foods. Turned out great and it is amazing how much those 2 little shelves could hold. I also want to say that I don't know building codes in your country but I agree that you should get at least 3 other quotes. With a concrete wall you can put electrical in that area. You can just have them use metal, electrical conduit. It does show (toe kick works, too!) but it is very non-invasive and should be cheaper. I really love the kitchen that Edith Martins posted. It is such a little gem. I can just picture myself working in that lovely place. Go slowly with your renovations. Listen to all thoughts and suggestions. In the end, this is your money you are spending and your home, so be sure to do what makes you happy. Lastly, there is NO box that you have to work within. Look online, watch Tiny House shows, go to architectural websites for ideas. Do YOUR thing. And, please post pictures when you are done! Best.

Hi It depends on the fridge as they all have different depths and swing requirements for the doors. For example we installed a Liebherr fridge which was only 610mm deep and required approx 100mm at the rear for the water power and ventilation clearance. It was a wider shallower fridge so we only needed 710mm. Other fridges require much more (up to 900mm) With an integrated fridge, you will need to allow for a vent above and below the fridge for cooling. It can be a grille fit into a kick board but one also needs to be considered above. You also need to allow for the door swing against the wall ie the thickness of the door, together with the thickness of the mount and panel that the door contains. The angle you want to open it to will also need to be considered otherwise you restrict access to the fridge. This will change slightly depending on whether you choose a frameless or inset style of look (door panel within frame of box or covering the whole face). Whatever brand you choose will have a diagram showing the installation instructions (which you can download from the internet) and your cabinetmaker will be able to do all of the above with a minimum of fuss. Cheers