Think about soft close drawers and cupboards and think about going handless. A pyrolitic oven is a must (truly one of the best kitchen innovations EVER!). Oh, and as you gaze longingly at the expensive European ovens - think about oven capacity - I recently needed a new oven and Westinghouse made a 60cm oven with the largest internal capacity Easy maintenance splash backs - I like mirror (clean them with diluted vinegar or metho) , and you can always have a stainless steel section behind your cooktop for super easy cleaning. Kickboard drawers are a clever way to deal with trays that aren't used every day. Incorporate your appliances where you can. LED strip lighting (warm white) for under your cabinets (upper and lower - upper helps with task lighting and under base cabinets is very stylish and means that of an evening you dont have to put on overheads if you want a snack after dinner. If you decide to use tiling for splashback or floor - go with rectified tiles so you can get a smaller grout line. Think about an undermounted sink and have your "drainer board" if you want one channelled into your benchtop assuming you're looking at a solid benchtop. Think about engineered stone - while natural stone is gorgeous it can be a lot of work if you have a busy family as acids and food colours can mark lighter natural stone easily. To look at basic options check out http://kaboodle.com.au they do standard sized DIYer kitchens but their planning tools can help you fine tune your ideas and what works for you even if you end up going to a kitchen designer. If you do go to a kitchen designer - use the ideasbook facility on this site - just put in all the images you like to allow them to get the feel for your style and likes. Good luck

Try to relax, Carol, it will all be alright. Once you get your things the way you like them, and layer the rooms with decor and the detritus of family life, the things that are glaring at you now won't be noticeable at all. We tend to be picky on this site because that's part of what we do, but in real life, you and your visitors will only notice that you have a warm and loving home, with laughter, and good food and drink. Just don't overcapitalise, so you have some money left over to afford food and drink! Relax, it's difficult now, but it will pay off.

Update: This is now going before the Tribunal as after months of broken promises, shoddy workmanship and numerous attempts to just get the job finished, work is still not complete. Apparently this builder is not licensed and no contract was provided before work started. He also has most of the full fee not just the deposit. So, can anyone please advise how the Tribunal may judge this case given there was no contract and no builders licence? There is email and text message evidence of the agreement, cancelled meetings, negotiations etc. Should my brother retain legal representation? Who would be responsible for legal costs? Any guidance on this matter would be very appreciated. Kind regards Lisa

I'm definitely a tea towel changer! I have a bazillion of them. I have a few knick knacks and salt pigs and things, a couple 1920's/30's art deco plates on the wall... I can't stand the 'magazine' look... it's like no-one lives there, so I obsess about NOT having the 'The Block' or 'Grand Designs' look.