I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

hang a curtain track attached to a piece of wood suspended below the ceiling (anchored in overhead beams) with drapes or panel blinds or roller blind or venetians could work and/or what about an island bench made out of kitchen cabinet on castors with space for stool under overhanging counter

White-matte cabinets (flat panel, not shaker) and white bench (or maybe epoxy sealed marine ply??...siriuskey can tell you about that), mirror splash. Love the ceilings. I personally would go for a modern, stream-line, no handles, integrated appliances look. This space has real potential to be very cool, even with the slate. It doesn't need any more more texture or darkness. This is a nice kitchen, you should be able to sell it on ebay.

Don't paint the ceiling and don't rush into extending until you have lived in the house for at least 12 months so that you understand how it works with the seasons and the extremes of temperatures. Landscaping is always after building work - as most tradesmen don't respect your plants. One of my clients said that they should be called treadsmen after her garden was trodden down! Look carefully at your lighting options, especially wall sconces and uplights to make the most of the beautiful timber ceiling. Once painted it can never be re-instated back to a timber ceiling easily. While this is your new home you are not going to live their forever. If you paint your ceiling the next owners will curse you, and wonder why you vandalised such a beautiful and expensive feature. If after 12 months of living with it you still hate it then consider a subtle lined finish, which will work with the original architecture of your home, but won't conceal the beautiful grain and character completely. Best of luck with your settling in process and learning to love the beautiful character of your new home, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits