thanks how2girl, but I guess my question is more about polishing concrete that has been sealed/oiled than it is about concrete benchtops (hence those threads were a bit generic). A bit more research suggests to me that a sander is the tool to use. I'm thinking of attaching some used carpet to a sander. I'm still unsure of whether to use a polishing cream - I think it perhaps can't do any harm though, and may add to the shine. Then the question becomes whether it makes sense to add bees wax over the top. To me, it seems it would protect the shine. But I'm guessing all of this.

Thank you everyone! I love how it turned out. Pictures don’t do it justice. The stone is granite, fantasy brown. We had it professionally painted. Not sure on what color gray. The contractor brought us samples and we just picked one. They glazed them with a darker gray to bring out the grain of the oak.

I tend to lean towards a relaxed coastal look. With your colours I’d add some warmth with wood and texture. These stools are very comfy and would look good with your kitchen colours. A taupe or grey sofa over a neutral large rug, sisal or wool blend, with a wooden coffee table. Do you have colours you like? Do you have any art to work with? I would recommend assistance if you’re outfitting a whole house. Have a look at Katrina Chambers on the web and Instagram. She’ll put together mood boards for your rooms and do a shopping guide. Her prices are good and she doesn’t recommend furniture that you sell an organ to buy.

I’m in Perth, and have never seen a gap between cabinet and bench top like that, we don’t tend to use substrates here. I DO NOT think it is correct. Any load on the bench, may crack the bench top because it is not sitting flush on cabinets for support. I have attached a photo of the underside of my cabinets. I have checked all the cabinets and bench, they are all sitting flush, no gap.