Hi chook! Just a quick pop in to see what's going on and I see where your daughter is getting a new bed. It is very nice and she will love it, I'm sure. So glad you got the winning bid! Exciting, huh? Talk later. :)

Here are a few photos for inspo!

My Home Stylist - I really appreciate your feedback. The Noguchi coffee is really nice. I think I'm getting closer to finalising the colours. I've done my research and found these. Do you think they match? Coffee table I did my research and found something similar to the noguchi coffee table but in white (thought it'll suit the white ikea table). It's aFreedom's Stockholm table . Dining Chairs I really love the chairs with timber legs but I've decided that since my apartment will be occasionally rented out I'll stick with a more conservative look. Dark Grey frabic will match my sofa. The steel........ It's similar to one of the photos on houzz. Bar Stool: Now that I have chosen a dark grey/steel leg dining chairs and an oak based coffee table, would a standard white barstool with steel leg still work well with everything else or is it starting to clash? I found some possible but more expensive options if it's starting to clash:

Hi Mel, Kitchens are an integral part of any home and particularly a busy family, so much to consider. I personally think an Island clear of any sinks or utilities makes for a more workable space. It lends itself to food prep, kids homework, meals, guests perched on a bench whilst you prep. Sinks always accumulate mess so I think a sink put to the side works better. Gone are the days where you will stand at a sink hours at a time. Think about how you like to cook and use a kitchen a cooktop not far from the sink works best think straining pasta pots, vegies etc.. As for butler's pantry's I'm not a fan, why spend money on a lovely kitchen only to be cooped up in a small kitchen off to the side, very unsociable. Houses are made to be lived in and sometimes that comes with a little mess particularly in the kitchen. Don't hide away in a butlers pantry embrace your home and kitchen and all that it entails. I recently completed a kitchen with a similar colour scheme to what you are suggesting black, white and timber, I anchored the kitchen with the black Island and used white cabinets for the rest of the kitchen. Matt surfaces are on trend at the moment as opposed to gloss or semi gloss, matt finishes hide finger prints and children's hand marks better, dust will show up on darker surfaces so be mindful of this. I adore natural materials and feel that a timber floor really adds warmth. Take a look at the kitchen I recently designed for my clients, would love to hear your thoughts. Happy to assist you any way - Good luck with your renos. Thanks Collaborative Interiors