I've noticed a recent trend of the vertical color on the island matching the vertical color on the splashback. Liking that trend. So I would say go with the turquoise glass splash back color. Deepen it a little so the hue is closer to that of the floor. Cant tell from pic whether island cupboards are the same color as cupboards above the splashback. If they are, all the better. That then brings the turquoise/white combo forward into the room and gives some unity.

I'm about to put a cooktop on the 2.3 x 900 peninsular (island with only one free end ( in my new galley kitchen. I am using an induction top so it can be fitted flush with the benchtop surface, allowing me to use the whole area as benchtop when not in use. I intend to have bar stolls on the living room side for entertaining. My joiner has suggested making a beautiful, thin timbercover to go over the glass induction surface for added protection. I just need to decide on down draft induction hob or a ceiling casette. My main aim is to remove the smelly cooking smells from my unit. The smell from one evening of cooking indian chicken curry currently lasts at least a week! Any advice?

Ah, so your new bench would come from out from wall like the existing one? How about doing something like this (see pic) but using a normal mirror as the back piece. It would reflect the floors and make the island (or return bench?) appear more open then it actually is. I'm not sure if a smoke mirror has been used here or just a high gloss panel. I would actually allow for more storage anyway, even if you don't envision you'll use it at this point. As they say, "you can never have enough storage".

Thanks for posting this dilemma - I am facing the same predicament! I have been stalking pendant lights over kitchen islands for about 18 months now and have noticed that there are a lot of interior designers, in new builds and online etc. who are using two pendant lights instead of the very common ''rule of three''. This is more so the case when the lights are quite distinctive or a feature. You don't want to close in the space or obstruct the line of sight... yet you do want to opt for functionality and balance. I have just sold (argggg!) my three medium solid black pendants and have opted for a ''lighter'' feeling material that are larger, to ensure they balance. sit above a 2.8m lenght bench. What did you decide to go with.