Hi Barry, I personally don't think the large blank space lends itself to a piece of art. It's up too high and contrary to your thoughts, it wouldn't be the feature you'd hope for it to be. Besides, the money you spend on a piece large enough, would be better spent on a smaller, higher quality piece mounted at the correct height (eye-level) that would compliment another part of your home. Getting back to the blank space, have you considered using a timber veneer for the wall cabinets? Something that would work with your bench, and then you could use the same veneer as wall panels to continue above the blank space over the cupboards. Perhaps you could even incorporate led strip lighting to give it a little more wow factor. Timber is great because it adds a layer of warmth to the polished concrete and dark cabinets. Good luck, and keep us posted! Would love to see which way you go. Cheers, and have a great weekend. Steve

Hi, regarding having young children. That doesn't matter regarding type of finish you have on your cabinets. Young adults and middle age and older people, all leave finger marks on cabinetry. And occasionally accidents happen. This is part of using a kitchen. (It should not be a show room) How old are your grandparents cabinets? I'm assuming you meant the paint has chipped from use, not full of potato crisps. If your budget can do vinyl wrap or two pac, then I think it is personal preference. In all instances it is about maintaining and cleaning what you have. If you want real hamptons/shaker then choose two pac. If you are going for the look, then vinyl wrap would be good as well.

Thanks everyone so far. Only hesitation with glass (or a white-grey tinted glass) is that it might be a bit glarey with the spotlights above, but will definitely consider it! Cheers Annb, my father built the whole room including the cabinet :). The cd shelves are from IKEA. The metal strips you see are just over-door clothes hooks you can pick up for around $10ea. They just slide on top of any old door and are not bolted on in any way. We are going to install a rail inside to convert this to more of a wardrobe. The room dimensions are actually 3.8 x 3.7, but the width of the wall pictured is more around 2.7 because of the cabinet & bricks. Behind the curtain is a double sliding door with windows and optional external access. Same on opposite wall (which is more important to access.. and has nice views, hence the current, slightly awkward bed placement..) The pocket door is to what will be an ensuite. Main internal access is opposite, or external through the sliding door (marked with arrows in the second pic). The mezzanine is 1.4 wide, with sloping ceiling overhead. Could technically fit that king single up there, just, but the bed will probably be upgraded to a double bed soon enough. It's just storage on the mezzanine for now, but brainstorming... thought it could be used as a reading retreat or put that bed up there for guests once the double bed (thinking IKEA's Malm with the under-bed storage drawers). Just one young adult (20s) using the room. Between the wardrobe, drawers, sideboard and mezzanine there is plenty enough storage space. Drawers and sideboard will stay as is, but we are hoping to use this side of the room more wisely! A bit of a quirky space to get right! Thanks for your help everyone :) :).

Seema