Hi Petapea, With the colours you already have in the kitchen, a white ‘marble look’ caesarstone that has texture, streaking or specking in it would suit very well. You wouldn’t want to go with one that is predominately white; it might make the room look too clinical. Regarding marble instead of caesarstone, definitely be careful, marble WILL stain from coffee, red wine, acidic foods (tomatoes, lemons) etc. despite sealing, which is fine if you’re happy for a seasoned look, but if you want a clean unmarked surface, stick with the caesarstone. If you wanted to make the kitchen stand out even more and it was in your budget, you could also consider matte black cupboard handles – this would look good with either type of bench top, or painting the door to the kitchen black. Hope this helps!

I wouldn't have timber around a sink or other wet area but I do have a large spotted gum island bench that I just love. In a previous kitchen I had a very deep timber island bench with the stove top into it and, again, that wasn't a problem – because all the things you have to do to maintain the timber bench are just the same things you need to do to have a clean kitchen work area. Maintenance is wiping it over every day (and often several times a day depending on activities) but isn't that what you'd do regardless of the material? Once a week (or even a fortnight if it's been a quiet time) I polish it which means tidying away everything that has collected on it – but, again, regardless of material the tidying away part has to happen regularly and then you may as well give whatever surface it is a good rub. So I don't really understand the chorus of 'But timber takes too much care and maintenance'. The issue of a natural material showing its age and use (patina) is another furphy in my opinion – timber looks better and better as it ages whereas many other materials just look shabbier. The timber glows in daylight and under lights, is quiet, warm and welcoming making it a natural place for people to gather and chat, have a cuppa (or something stronger) and something to nibble on, read the newspaper, make a phone call, do a crossword, whatever ... And it becomes more beautiful as it ages.

Hi iggs85. I see your point re cost and how you think it may look. I'll attach a photo of one of my semi-recessed basins in stone. We had to use semi-recessed due to space restrictions as well. The benches are 440. Are yours narrower? I did Google stone benchtop offcuts. eBay has some in marble and granite. There appear to be businesses that do sell offcuts. Anyway, I think you would certainly be able to find a beautiful laminate you like. There is such a wide range. There are also some that look so much like stone. Will you have vanity cabinets/drawers under the benchtop? If so, what are your thoughts there? Same laminate or different? Have you visited any shops yet to look at samples?

Hello dear, I believe it is to choose and arrange colors to match existing furnishings, or possibly in some cases to even choose furnishings as well to give a certain 'look' to a room or rooms. But, an interior designer is someone who plans, researchers, coordinates, and manages such projects. An interior designer evaluates and designs interior living and work spaces to make them functional, appealing and well-suited to an owner's needs. Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. Recently I have done interior design in my office from HTS Interior Design LLC, who offers an interior solution to meet specific needs from concept design to turnkey Fit Out solution.