Thanks everyone for all your feedback and tips. Below is the plan I have come up with. Not sure how clearly it will show up. Have wrestled with the position of the ovens and sink - thought about swapping them and about having them centred but then think there would be too far between fridge and cooktop/ovens. Cooktop is 600m gas, then two below bench 600mm electric ovens, 900mm rangehood. Sink is double drain, double sink (1550mm in all). I know this seems excessive and against trend but I could not live without my double drain as always defrosting meat, bottles of milk etc and like to have one clean side and one dirty side of the sink. I love the idea of a bi-fold door appliance cupboard for toaster, kettle, microwave but not sure how practical it really is. Will the doors when open be painful and stick out near the fridge???? Do like the idea of having all that stuff tucked away though. What do you think of dishwasher position? Think I will make that gap between island and bench with dishwasher 1300mm as suggested. The only drawers I'm planning on having are a bank of 3 x 3 800mm in the island. I know that are more economical space wise but trying to keep costs down. Should add that behind the L-shaped benches will be windows as much as possible. Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks greatly.

Hi Some floorboards can have a finish applied as they come raw whilst others cannot without work. It depends on the brand and finish. I suggest you speak to the installers and get hold of the manufacturers rep to ask about the finish if it is not readily available at the point of sale. You should be able to just have the floor lightly buffed after it is installed (ie scratch/rough up the existing polish) to create a purchase for the new polish without actually sanding down to the timber. You do need to know what type of finish it is ie oil based or water based on the original boards as they can sometimes react with each other if you change. Then your sander can apply the new finish. Cheers

We ended up sealing our slab with a product that was recommended by our local decorative concrete supplies store. However, long story short, we have been sold a product that is failing. We need to try to remove the product and start again. Our friend, who also has a burnished concrete slab and has sealed it with another product, his floor is looking beautiful, the sealer is holding up the the rigors of family life and he is very happy. I should have used the same stuff as him, in hindsight ;-/

In The Marble Man's 27 years working with and loving stone surfaces - we have found many various issues with stone. In particular etching and staining to marble surfaces. There have been various ways to protect stone from the everyday effects of living with stone. Basically marble does not like acidic liquids. The use of lemon, wine, vinegar, dressings, wine, spirits on a marble benchtop can scratch and etch the stone. The Marble Man has always tried and tested various ways to protect stone surfaces to keep the stone looking as you want it - either a honed, matt finish or semi-gloss to full gloss finish can be achieved. At his time and place, 2018 The Marble Man would like to recommend stone benchtop sealing with TuffSkin is an alternative to using a liquid penetrating sealer. TuffSkin is a laminate film designed to protect the surface of marble, travertine and onyx benchtops, bartops, tables and vanities from staining and etching. TuffSkin is made from ‘hard coat’ technology and will resist the daily wear and tear associated with high use surfaces TuffSkin will prevent etching on stone kitchen benchtops, cocktail tables and bartops exposed to: wine, lemon juice, coffee and tea rings, oils and food TuffSkin is ideal for bathroom vanities and will prevent etching from: make-up, toiletries and perfume TuffSkin is available in a gloss or satin finish, which allows a matt, honed stone surface to be transformed to gloss without being polished or a gloss finish to a satin. TuffSkin can be removed if it is no longer required, without damaging the stone TuffSkin is easily cleaned with REJUVENATA and a soft cloth TuffSkin has no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) so there is no smell The Marble Man 1300 627 626 professionally applied TuffSkin - will enhance the look of your marble, limestone or onyx benchtop, bar top, table or vanity. TuffSkin coating comes in a matt/honed and gloss finish to replicate the stone finish you originated with. Your stone will be protected and look magnificent for longer. www.themarbleman.com.au