My 10c worth: If I was to make a door like the one in the pic, I would use a piece of 38mm thick Triboard. Having a good-looking exposed track system is expensive for a larger or heavier door. Also make sure there is sufficient strength above the door in the right place to hang the door. We sell these sliding track systems in NZ, Id recommend the Henderson Rustic 80 system. Looking online overseas, theres some pretty good deals, but there's always the quality risk. Nor sure how much you are able to do yourself, there would be lots of savings to be made there, as usual!

I am just wondering whether it is a good thing or not to go with solid colours like the dark blue (prussian blue), grey floors and white on other walls all in tiles. I see that a lot of designers seem to do a pattern on one wall, but I haven't found one suitable and whatever I do, I just don't want it to look out of date in 5 years time. I am not sure how about much of the prussian blue tile is appropriate in order for it to be noticeable but not too overpowering.

Go with your gut Tracy..... it is a big investment but I have found that if it makes you smile every time you walk into your kitchen you'll never regret it!!!! I've recently moved into a smaller downsized home with my 3rd black kitchen, with drawers, no cupboards, except for the pantry which we use as the crockery and wine glasses stash. Mine is matt but no handles = no hip bangers! I chose to use snow white stone bench tops, the walls are painted natural white while the floors are pale oak hybrid vinyl.

$3000 for new doors sound like a bargain but if that doesn't include installation i would strongly recommend that you invest in professional installation (at a fixed price) as replacing old hinges can be very challenging for the inexperienced and we've patched a 40 year old kitchen with very thin sheets of melamine placed over damaged shelves, renewed sagging doors by filling up old screw holes and tightened hinges, replaced damaged edges using a roll of iron on edge stripping tape but, the minor damage on your edges and the backless cabinets could easily be disguised with some paint but i have say that our now patched kitchen was designed and built for an architect, various other kitchen we've built or renovated and my newest kitchen also custom made at very high cost have all been made out of a variation of a laminated board ..luckily you love the "very expensive to replace" counters but i would also consider investing in new kickboards to get rid of the quad edges around the floor and a better location for your microwave..and look forward to seeing your results