I would vote for the top example here. Itr gives an earthy tone to the room and yet is still bright and wont show every piece of dust or food.

Have you worked out how you will stop the hot summer sun coming into the kitchen? I have lived in a couple of houses with west facing kitchens, and the hot afternoon sun in summer makes life difficult when trying to cook dinner.

i have not looked into the splashback pricing yet, as i am still stuck onto the colour fr the cabinets. we have to decide it tonight. I have been looking at warm whites, as suggested earlier in the thread. Antique white USA in 1/4 strength i think will go with the grey colored stone. I have read tht in full strength it throws cream tones. NOt sure if this colour scheme will work. i still have to decide the wall colours for the kitchen. We have finalised hog bristle1/4 for the living area with natural white for ceiling n trim.

As the fireplace has the bricks visible , I'm guessing it isn't actually used ? I'd be tempted to have the TV directly above the fireplace -- almost where the mirror is , but probably the top of the TV at the level of that frieze or whatever it is called , and angled downwards . The mirror I'd have where it is height-wise , but to the right on that same wall . And I'd leave that drinks trolley where it is , with nothing above it , or maybe a period wooden framed picture or photo above the drinks trolley .