House Beautiful this month showed an idea that might help... The house was on Lake Michigan, I think, if that helps you locate the article. As I recall they used a screen above a low wall, I assume between support columns. Think Moroccan screen. A wine rack that you can see through sounds cool too.

yep, stunning. I been drawing something similar for a while and it's awesome to see your ab fab results after your OP. I got interested in some ikea solid timber benchtops, not nearly as nice as yours, and thought I'd combo them with black cabinets, white stone and white walls (just a "what if" design). so I totally love your kitchen. it's great how well the tiles look now compared to when you first posted, they really excite me! and the lightshades against the black wall. and what's that dining area I see? that smoked glass table top with timber trestles and black chairs and that black and white rug? where you get those?! I want to see more! congratulations, it's hard not to gush! big ups to Mldesign too.

Hi there Dave, sorry for not responding sooner, I have been a bit unwell. I would like to add the following ideas. 1) You mention going to a kitchen company and showing your current kitchen plan, the better thing for you to have done would to have taken your floor plan with measurements and asked them what they would suggest, as long as they didn't want to charge you. This way you would get more ideas, not just them politely agreeing hoping to get your business, and why not, 2) I would contact several builders to come on site and give you their ideas of what needs to be done and advise if you would need to involve council and the building costs involved in doing this. The builders will have their own trades electrical and plumbing that work as a team 3) You mention flat packs, they are a great option and can save you a lot of money, Bunnings will do a kitchen plan and cost in store at no charge, Ikea will do the same but not sure about any charges. You can also go online to both and work out a plan, but I would strongly suggest you speak face to face them as they know their product. Bunnings run in store programs where they show you how to assemble their cabinets, both stores have video tutorials, believe me it's worth watching as flat pack anything can be a nightmare. If you can assemble your own cabinets in your own time it will save you a.lot of money, starting sooner than later would be a very good idea I didn't get up to mentioning in planning the layout of your kitchen that the larger the cabinets you use will also save money, ie 2 x 900 as against 3 x 600, the cost per unit plus instead of paying for 3 cabinets to be installed it's 2. It's also makes for a simpler looking design. Most of our Bunnings kitchen is made up of 900 units 2 x Drawers & 900 units 3 x drawer. The exception is 800 cabinet for the sink. 5) Cook top, I would strongly suggest you work a 900 into your kitchen (this would mean having to use a smaller cabinet either side or just between the cook top and the wall). 900 cook tops give superior space to use especially when using large pots/woks and fry pans, they also help to protect laminated bench tops from accidental put down and burns, 6) Range hood, the best look for your kitchen wouldn't be a large stainless wall mounted unit and that's good news as the intergrated ones in over head cabinets would not only look better, give more storage and would cost less. 7) The Island, you have been trying to decide what size, well if you don't have plumbing installed, the island can be free standing with or with out plinths and can be moved if you decide you need more space. You do need to have a couple of power points but make sure they have a longer connection. Our Island is 2.7 x 1200 and has both a cook top and oven with power points and can be moved approx 500m in each direction due to having longer connections. 8) Bench tops, you mention laminate due to cost, we had that problem what with the size of the island. So we went with Plywood (not Marine) We went to Mr Plywood who when the next delivery came in chose a piece with a beautiful grain, had it cut to size and delivered. The plywood sheet came in a 3 meter length but not all do, we had enough to do the sink bench and a top for a tressel table & legs my better half made. cost with delivery 2hrs approx $400. We did a shadow line bench top which had a smaller size white set back under lay. You need to use a good two pack pot sealant on the Plywood. Finally I don't know where I got the picture of the retro coloured kitchen cabinets, but look online at both Bunnings and Ikea cheers

Firstly, thank you all for your contributions! Very much appreciated. CP yes the floor plan has been quite divisive, it is quite a significant change from existing (kitchen currently at dining, stairs currently where powder room is) but my preference is for an open plan/kitchen as this is where we like to congregate as a family. The weird gap is to allow for separation from the cooktop as I am not sure if the 100 gap is wide enough and practical, as well as extended space for appliances (toasters etc) - though I do agree that storage in the island is probably just as good. The double doors I agree are troublesome. This is a strata complex in a heritage area, so getting approval to change these would be cumbersome, and we’re aiming to start works in February next year… Jess, a galley style certainly is an interesting idea! Would allow for a lot circulation and a lot more space. I think The island would be Provide for a bit more seating, correct? Though I guess I’m open to it, ultimately I think you are right - some advice (beyond everyone’s here which is so great!) may be needed. Dreamer, I think I am okay with 900 for circulation around the island - can always just go the other way! Siriuskey thank you for all of the input. Yes, it is a townhouse. The first designs is exactly what I was thinking, but a steam oven instead of a microwave oven. One thing I have always wondered is whether a 600mm bench for 600mm cooktop is enough? What about for pans and handle lids that might extend beyond the 600mm and therefore be hitting the back wall? The side wall (the one with the column) is also a concern. I like the idea of putting pantry/oven/fridge all on the left hand side, it will push everything on the wall side down. I would like the ‘dish washing’ sink to be on the cooktop side and the smaller sink to be on the island. Dishwasher on the cooktop side as well, which I think can fit.