Do you see what I mean about my imagination my skills. My drawing look oh so like yours (not). I really love your idea of the island bench. Connie I've had Others warn me off a sink on the island, but to be honest I don't mind if there is a dish in the sink (not dumped everywhere - I'm a stickler) the house is to be lived in I guess. With the suggestion of the border that mldesign gave I think the problem is solved. Still leaves me with two metres give or take for plating up etc. I did consider the sink on the other wall but just didn't feel the flow. As my pantry door and the window wall are are right angles - ie not stepped behind I was still thinking I would have a tall cupboard as per my sophisticated drawing above for small appliances and keep coffee cups etc in there. In saying that I was thinking I might swap the fridge from left to the right so the tal cupboards, pantry door and second tall cupboard are all grouped. Love your idea re the mirrored kickers. A big thank you for taking the time to draw these up. I will most definitely be using most of your ideas!

I, too, like the idea of the fence being painted in Monument, or something similar. You look like you live in either in the tropics or subtropics, judging by the photos. Apart from looking attractive, you also want to the plants to have low leaf drop, be fairly hardy, not have an invasive root system, be reasonably low maintenance and sun tolerant (the pool area looks very hot and sunny, and you didn't mention if the palms next door provide any shade during the day). Anyway, here is my 5 cents worth: native pigface "Aussie Rambler"; blue fescue; bromeliad Neoregelia sheba; philodendron Xandadu; sun-tolerant cordyline species; dwarf ixora; dwarf frangipani. Bambino bougs also look lovely near a pool. You'll be picking up the old bracts as they drop but they look so gorgeous its worth it. Touch of Class have recently introduced some beautiful new varieties of dwarf oleanders (we have "Isabella"). Oleanders have been given a really bad rap about their toxicity, and yes, they are poisonous, however, they have never caused a human fatality in Australia and are no more toxic than many other plants we put in our home gardens. Apparently, they are a more of a threat to livestock who seem to eat them despite their bitter taste. Having said that, I wouldn't use them if you have young children or pets that like to chew everything. You'll have noticed that most of the plants I have suggested are of the "dwarf" variety. This is so the plants don't become too big for the pool area, and to help keep maintenance down. A self-cleaning palm like the golden cane, foxtail or Alexander could provide some overhead shade, but only if they were planted at least 1.5m away from the pool (preferably more). I would also be mulching with stones to minimise it ending up in the pool on windy or rainy days. Although I love natives, I have not suggested them, other than the pigface, to keep maintenance and leaf drop to a minimum.

Yes, it does come down to personal taste, but the overall look of your initial kitchen that has the concrete look tiles is beautiful. It would appeal to a wider audience too I think than the navy blue. If you concrete look tiles looked like those in the picture it would look great (as compared to a more matt look concrete tile which may not look as good). I say no to the herringbone look timber in your whole place downstairs. It will probably cost more to lay and I think it adds complexity that you don't need in a home as beautiful as an old queenslander. If you do decide on timber, I would stick with it being just straight planks. (Herringbone is flavour of the month now and I love it for tiles, but it makes a very big statement that not appeal to everyone if you are putting it in a much bigger area like kitchen etc). Good luck.

Hi Antionette, hopefully I can offer you some advice on this. 1) visually having the 2 ovens below the counter top in the centre would look better, although if you are planning on staying there for awhile or have older people living with you having them as a wall unit is easier for access. Also in saying that do you want your microwave on that wall also? or can it go in the scullery? If you do want it on that wall it is probably best to have it above the ovens, but not to high (a good height to the very top of the microwave unit is between 1650-1700mm. 2) Love two tone kitchens! I think doing the woodgrain on the overhead units and the island back would be perfect. I did a VERY rough pic to show you the colour combo, works well with the concrete flooring. Glass is great for a splash back however with this size you may need a join in it so just double check that. Otherwise Tiles is another option that would suit that idustrial theme and work well in your kitchen a feature. Maybe hexagon tiles, marble coloured etc what ever you feel looks best. 3) This really depends on if you need the storage although as your scullery is open and you can see it from the kitchen might be good to keep it cohesive. Also if you are working in there at night time this is a great opportunity to add in some LED cabinetry lights. I also noticed that the window isn't centre of your scullery wall I wonder if that could be moved. And also I thought it would look nice if the builder built in a bulkhead above your cabinetry (so there are no gaps between the ceiling and upper cabinets) and make them the same depth as the wall either side. It looks really nice if you can also add LED lights in there too, and make your kitchen really pop! I hope this helps you out and isn't too much info. Best of Luck xxx Tash