Hi Angela. If your existing kitchen works for you, then replacing your benchtop and splashback will definitely work, as well as save you money. Whilst the Caesarstone's Linen is nice, I would recommend Smartstone Amara - it has a marble look, and is one of the more reasonably priced marble-look engineered stones. I have seen it installed and it looks fantastic. With the money saved, I recommend that you invest in some really beautiful tiles for the splashback (even if they are subway style, get really nice ones), some gorgeous new handles, as well as change the colour of your blinds to match as closely as possible the window architraves. A nice new sink and tap (think carefully about undermounted) will also help. Finally, if you can match your existing fronts exactly, then it may also be a good time to change the dishwasher to a fully integrated model. You could also replace the freestanding canopy, etc., as Design Fusion recommends, but that will cost you a quite bit more (it will require not only the new cabinet, but also redoing part of the bulkhead and cornice work), and you may have an issue with the new fronts matching the existing. All the best!

And in the storms last week, we had a 24 hour blackout!! I'm with wuff - just how simple is simple. I think there is quite a bit of difference between labour saving devices and technology now. Labour saving devices became more and more essential as our lives got busier, women were freed from the drudgery of housework and given encouragement and the freedom to grow, seek out careers and a life outside the home. In many ways, I feel technology is putting us back in our homes and not encouraging us to explore the outside world. We are letting too much technology take over our lives and we are not interacting with people like we did in the old days. The other disadvantage with technology is its continual need to be updated and upgraded which can not only be expensive but also requires constant learning. Take TVs for example - in the olden days you bought a set plugged it in and that was it, now they have to be specially installed and set up and for the average person to know how to do this and understand it is not easy. Older people are being disadvantaged by all this technology too, they were not raised with it like the young ones today so it is constant learning, even learning a whole new language, and quite frankly there comes a time in life when head space just reaches saturation point.

Besides the fact that it isn't my style (and thus I agree with oklouise to sell on ebay...), the first thing which strikes me, is the crammed working area: stove/ sink/ prep. How can you operate in that space? Other side appears to be too far away to be practical? Then the fridge! If you have an expensive and very ornate kitchen, you can't have a free standing fridge! One way or another your fridge has to be integrated, which brings you back to the style question. Either you like the style and just want to i.e.white wash it (liked that option, if you are into beachy, country), then you need a matching door made up (I'd calculate 2K) and buy an integrated fridge (A$ 2-4K) or you don't like the deco, lay-out, impractical space and want to replace it all, then you can possibly get away with a free-standing fridge in a much less ornate kitchen. If you basically don't mind the kitchen and can work well in the crammed working area, or your budget doesn't stretch to a new one (think about $ 25k+), I agree with the white wash solution and taking off all the excessive ornaments and trims, putting in a flat SS or glass range hood. Also install rails with hooks next to cook top and hang your utensils, you need every square inch on the counter! Microwave to be incorporated perhaps under oven and off benchtop. Maybe spend the money and buy a matching Miele microwave, will look nice with the oven. Look into brightening the gloomy kitchen (on top of white wash) by changing the black bench top and splash backs with light ones. It might save $$ if you just get the ex one covered ( I guess about A$ 6-7k). If it was my kitchen I would definitely sell it, before spending all that money on bench tops, fridge door, integrated fridge, m/w integration, removal of trims, painting, splash back etc. and still end up with a mediocre and impractical kitchen. Would be very interested to see more of your actual style. Can only make out an Ikea shelving unit on one photo... Your decision has a lot to do with the longevity (and cost) of a kitchen, your actual style and the practicability of the ex kitchen! If you can afford it, think long term and maybe save up for THE kitchen you want. If you want some tips on how to keep costs in check and still get a great result for a new kitchen, just contact me. Good luck.

While looking at benchtop options, I mentioned to a supplier/kitchen designer that I had experienced problems with granite discolouring. He said that in his opinion, granite was the best choice for kitchen benchtops, but it MUST be a dark colour. My son has black granite with white cabinetry and it looks stunning. I have always preferred light benchtops, but I think I'll compromise, keeping cabinets light and benchtops dark.