I think that ceaserstone or marble would compete too much with your tiles and could look odd because of that. In the examples you provide, the one lot of marble stairs are with a very plain tile and the other looks like it matches the floor exactly. Your tiles have a bit of a swirly pattern so unless you chose a very plain stone/marble it would clash IMO. Also, ceasarstone can chip and I don't think it would be a very practical option for stairs. Timber would add a bit of warmth to your whole sleek look while still looking modern, and be something to tie your front door in with so it isn't the only warm looking thing in your whole light coloured area.

Thank you robandlyn. I am definitely leaning towards the karndean especially for the kids. I might use it for a splashback?? hi the interior therapist. Thank you for your reply. The budget that was put into our build (by the builder) makes hardwood floors an extra $23k. Although the 600 x 600 are expensive to lay it still comes in at less than half the price including bathrooms. We had hardwood in our last house, I liked it but it scratched and dented with chairs and kids dragging their sandy bikes inside. i am worried that I will choose the tile and hate the cleaning and potential slippery accidents in summer but I worry about the look of karndean....... is it very plasticky? I have some samples but it's very hard to tell from such a small piece. Is the tile we have chosen too 'busy' for all areas? Maybe I have really bad taste and it's an ugly tile lol Thanks so much for all your help guys :)

I know this is an old post but just in case anyone is still looking for Sherwin Williams Sea Salt paint...... When Wattyle were still owned by Sherwin Williams, a couple of years ago now??, I asked the Head Office of Wattyl if they could help me get some Sea Salt in Australia. I'm in Sydney and they advised I needed to find one of their stores with a Hydrochroma machine(not all of them have one) to have Sea Salt made up due to the type of tint used in the paint. They also provided the tint mix. I went to Wattyl in Brookvale and they made me up 4 litres of Sea Salt paint. It's a great colour but looks pretty bland in the tin. I don't know whether the Wattyl white base changes how it looks either. Anyway, anyone wanting Sea Salt can have it made up at the Brookvale store because they have the name and tint mix in their computer. Now they aren't owned by Sherwin Williams I don't know if they can access any other of their colours as they don't have access to their database anymore.

Ta heaps, Jodes. 2 years post reno and we’re still lovin‘ it - it’s so practical and easy to clean. I’d have yours any day too btw. You’re lucky to have a sparkie on tap. We don’t. Our cabinet maker threw in the strip lighting. I thought it was a nice but unnecessary extra; something I wouldn’t have asked for. But like you, I’m so glad it’s there - no working in your shadow. It’s brilliant. An absolute must in any future kitchen reno now. The MW is good but a bit impatient - it beeps too much! We had a 20yr old Sharp carousel, so the new one was a bit of a tech leap. It‘s pretty easy to get used to. We use the combo function a lot, and the rice program does a great job. Wish it cleaned itself tho! Since seeing your fridge, I’ve been on alert every time ours makes a weird noise, hoping this is it - bang - ceased motor. New fridge! Keep us updated about your window coverings. It’s a lovely looking home. You and your hubby have done really well. :-)