I so agree with Alphen Construction - on first glance, it is definitely the handles that are drawing the eye to changes in height. I would definitely try Alphen Constructions' suggestion re 'blocking out the handles with tape' to see how you like the effect. Take a photo when you do it, you can then compare. I think I would remove the handle from the cupboard over the fridge and the cupboard over the stove. I wonder if a steel extractor fan that would take that cupboard to the same level as the other cupboards might be an effective trick, it would also tie in the steel of the fridge, oven and appliances. Under cabinet lighting is needed in my opinion. I do hope you will be able to enjoy your kitchen because it is lovely. I wish you all the best.

Hi Lil, I believe your original plan works much better than the revised version. While the notion of ideal working widths is great, the larger problem here is the post. I worked on a project very similar to this last year where a post could either be connect to, or separate from the island. What we found was that by separating the island the space between island and post became very awkward. It's not enough of a space to comfortably walk through or be seated at the island in front of. Instead of your room feeling open and generous in proportion, it is going to start to feel cramped and awkward. We have a kitchen in our showroom (Kitchen Studio Tauranga NZ) with a 6ft gap between bench and back wall and it works wonderfully. It allows someone to work at the sink and a second at the island with ease. Stick with the original plan. It will feel a lot more spacious, without compromising work flows.

Thanks annb1997. I'm looking into the swag/rope style pendant lights! The splashback tiles are acually a shade of brown, the wall paint brown, the floors and cabinets cream and grey ( I hate this combo) which extend unfortunately into the living area as well (but not into the rest of the house). I have thoughts to re-laminate the cabinets in white, leave the bench top black, change the splashback to something (they are actually cheapo bathroom tiles and not actual splashback) and figure out placement - the tiles currently don't blend in well and extend past the cabinet and like a step down to the cabinet bench. I'd love to replace the grey and cream floor tiles with wood floorboards or wood-look tiles. Not sure how expensive this would be or if this should be done first or at a later date. I should also note the door you see in the first photo is a big walk-in-pantry.

Oh this project grows. I’m thinking the kitchen/laundry access is probably worthwhile (light, access, etc). I’m liking the more contemporary layouts, compared to the u version that I liked at an earlier date. Siriuskey your comments about that version being too wide were important. (I eventually remembered design issues with my mum’s last kitchen which was a u and too wide and while it felt spacious, it was a bit ‘not quite right’). oklouises’ wed 5.26pm (2nd option) is probably my preferred option at this stage. I think that would be functional and satisfies my wish list pretty well. Layout and furnishing the greater space is still on the go. I must say, I’ve found everyone’s input with this project so creative and helpful.