this is a dish that I wouldn't contemplate making it's crepes that's made of rice flour..today wasn't so good..a bit disappointing usually the crepes are thinner..today's looked more like yum cha ones Chinese not Vietnamese ..our filling is usually spread evenly . traditionally they would steam them..over a fabric stretched on a steamer..that way they are very thin.. these days there's lots of recipe to do them on a non-stick frying pan..it doesn't turn out the same..you really need a steamer.. thus that's why I don't make them..it's one of those dishes that you would go out to eat..take away from Indochine..I wonder if they had a different chef today?

Hey Nik Star, I've had a PowerPoint play with oklouise's edits. This is what I meant about garage entry to the pantry and a laundry in the garage. The red arrows are to stipulate to the builder that level access is required. I added extra garage depth to allow for the garage, that would definitely impact your facade elevation. If you remove the wall between the butler's pantry and mudroom you would have a SUPER PANTRY! But a true butler's pantry in that it was supposed to be where you would land with the veg from the garden so you would kick your shoes off inside the door, so I've noted a little bench seat there, then head in and wash it before heading over to the actual cooking area. Then if you get rid of the sliders and reduce the storage to shallow shelving on the middle wall you would have plenty of space to manoeuvre with mobility devices. For the washing labour machines - washer, dryer, dishy - try getting those mounted on plinths so the load on your poor back is reduced. I have dodgy joints so I am researching all the ergonomic ways to design work spaces to help me when I get to the awesome stage you guys are at with getting to build!

There is nothing wrong with laminate benchtops, except when they are trying to look like something else. A plain, solid colour laminate bench looks much classier than a laminate bench that is trying to look like a natural stone (and failing). Natural stone benches have different edging and a different feel to the touch, so they never fool anybody, and make you look like a try-hard. I probably wouldn't go with a white, as the whites that you currently have won't match (there are hundreds of different whites), and by introducing another white into your colour scheme means that one of these elements will look cream, or dirty, or too grey. A plain black, or charcoal. laminate bench, with square edging is simple, understated and classy. If you can't live with black, consider some of the darker, concrete coloured greys, unless you have the colour confidence to choose something that pops. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

You have a complex set of requirements that won't be adequately addressed in an online forum of opinions. In addition the photo of the style of kitchen that you like is in a much larger space than you have available, and the size of that kitchen contributes to its presence. Without borrowing some space from adjacent rooms for a wider, larger kitchen then I would consider a G-plan with the end of the G being bench height seating with half the stools with their backs to the view, and the other half with their backs to the kitchen, as in this photo. I would engage a design professional to visit, take your brief, measure up and come back to you with a few concepts for the layout. Think hard about how important the symmetry is to your kitchen as it can really hamper creative solutions that are outside the box. It is still possible to have a Hamptons style kitchen, that has presence and is of a formal nature that is asymmetrical. The rest of your home is not symmetrical, and forcing a symmetrical design into a pre-existing space only ends in compromises to the functionality. A good design professional (not necessarily a kitchen designer) will look outside the three walls that are constraining your thinking and options to create an elegant solution, but you will need to pay for this creative service. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits.