Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am amazed at the response! I think we will go ahead and change the benchtops, replace the cooktop with stainless steel, a new rangehood, splashbacks and new door and drawer handles and possibly a new sink and taps. We will consider painting the beam and post and add a modern blind to the window. Then if we are still not happy, maybe we can rethink the painting of the cupboards? Actually, I like the timber, so if these changes work I will be more than happy to leave them as they are. Our floor tiles are relatively new and are throughout the entire downstairs area. Also, the wall paint we know is not the right tone (for the floor tiles) but is in good nick and will be remaining until we are ready to repaint. Rome wasn't built in a day but I will add photos when we start the process and you can follow our progress. Thanks again

I agree with the first comment. Check out the Maximum porcelain panels. Ice attached a photo I took of the slabs. Statuario is in the front and Calacutta is behind it. http://maximumaustralia.com/products/calacatta This is the Australian link to the product range and there are plenty of photos of it actually in use. In person the design looks less printed in my opinion than the Caesarstone, but everyone has different tastes and that should be respected.

If you pull off the mosaics think about trying to get a subway style tile that matches your wall tiles. Update the vanity with gloss doors and more modern handles and have a wider vanity with either an undermounted sink or above mounted sink (undermounted will give you a cleaner eyeline and easier cleaning) and caesarstone benchtop is a great material to use - it's dead easy to clean. I'd keep the colours light matching your tiles and bring colour in with towels and items such as soap holders etc which are easy and cheap to change. While your at it, have all the grout professionally steam cleaned and if required re-grout (and don't forget to seal the grout - make a big difference). Get rid of the shower caddy hanging off the shower and put in glass corner shelves in the shower.

Yes, if you check the Caeserstone website they say; " As Calacatta Nuvo™ incorporates large veins with some small unique natural variation between slabs, we encourage those of you that select this design to view your actual full slabs first hand at the stonemason prior to them commencing fabrication." https://www.caesarstone.com.au/colour/5131-calacatta-nuvo I am not sure if your product is from Caeserstone or a competitor, but most manufacturers have a similar disclaimer with their veined reconstituted stone as there is variation between slabs as you have discovered. If you were selecting from real Calacatta marble from Italy you would definitely check the slabs before delivery as there is always variation in natural material. I suppose the question is - who checked the slabs? Or did you just order for two to be delivered, assuming they would be the same? Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls