You just can't beat timber. It's real and isn't trying to be something else. The timber look tiles do look quite ok but they could be unfashionable in 10 years time. Bit like tiles laid in the diamond pattern at the moment, just out of trend.... Tiling isn't cheap, mine charged just under $100 per sqm. It is pretty good though and was sandstone theres a bit work involved when compared to ceramic. Go with the real deal if you can afford it, will look great for decade's.

I really like the pic that LesleyH posted. The wooden rail will be 'warmer' to the touch too, show less dirt and tie is with the stairs beautifully.....I thin it will 'ground' the whole look because, if I remember rightly, the stairs and front door are the only wooden features and the rest is a lot of very modern light grey/white/shiny features. I think another touch of warmth in the wood will be beautiful.

I mean WOW Joanne, what a view! I think no-one will be worried about the board direction, honestly, their eyes will be feasting on the horizon!! Obviously this is your personal decision at the end of the day, and the more I look at this design dilemma the more I think both options would work. However I would keep the boards the same dimension throughout. Imagine entering at the front door and moving down the corridor space into the living room - you want a seamless flow as the eyes look towards the outside, and once in the room you won't mind at all the direction of the boards. I assume you are selecting a tile for the alfresco terrace - just match the direction of the boards and you can't go wrong! The link below is from the TonguenGroove website, showing a project with a corner aspect to a water-facing deck with fully glazed doors - so both conditions! They both work, right?! The main orientation IS long boards parallel to the water though.....also attached a photo of a Nicholas Murray project from Mafi website with short boards across the hall......looks good.... Good Luck! ..http://www.tonguengrooveflooring.com.au/projects/ventnor-beach-house/.

Hi Vanessa, if you were happy to do away with your small dining area, then you could build a narrow butlers pantry into the 2.2 mt meals area which would be around 1300mm deep continuing the kitchen wall across as the divider with door one end and then orientate your kitchen like the top two images and extend the island bench a little further along into the remaining area which was the "meals" space. You could add a glass panel in above your overheads, running this glass up to the ceiling, which will help bring in some extra natural light. This approach provides you the Island and seating that you were hoping to achieve as well as giving you the Butlers Pantry that you have asked for. If you position your Sink, Dishwasher and Cooktop on the back wall this will also then provide you with a generous unified prep and plating space along your island. Hope this helps, regards Malcolm.