Hi iggs85 as it is an older kitchen I would not spend a huge amount of money on a revamp. It is definitely possible to paint laminate but good preparation is vital to ensure the paint 'sticks'. However a quality painter is going to charge you about the same as your resurfacing quote. Using either a painter or a resurfacing company does let you choose any colour though. The biggest disadvantage of the current benchtop is the bullnose which is very dated. From your photo, the colour and pattern look OK but you could get a stone 'overlay' put on it. They square off the bullnose so it looks more contemporary. An acrylic feature panel on the return is another alternative to vinyl planks. It looks like glass, comes in a good range of colours and is relatively inexpensive compared to glass. See http://zenolite.com/range as an example. You can buy acrylic sheets from Bunnings. You could also use pressed metal panels as a feature eg. http://www.wunderlite.com.au/catalogue/details/1/79/pressed-metal-crystal?start=25 Add some new handles on doors and drawers too.

Happy to help Bronwyn, there are lots to pick from and making the right discussion can simply make a kitchen. some people think that having the best door/benchtop/appliances make a kitchen but often its keeping it simple and selecting a plan door nice top and stylish handles that can make a kitchen. Please share a photo when its all done.

I understand the beam being installed when you did your earlier extension as that was an external wall, that's why I have suggested keeping part of the wall next to the island which was also an external wall, to support this, I will check this in the drawing to ensure it lines up for you. By opening up this wall as much as possible you are allowing more light back into the house The cost of running plumbing across I think is negative/comparable to moving the plumbing for the re positioned laundry and kitchen and removing any load bearing walls. Storage in the new kitchen is a big 2900 x 900 island of drawers for easy access, I have added a wall oven but that could become a 600 pantry with drawers in the lower part with a shelf above for small appliances. The wall with the TV could be a wall of narrow built in storage to be used in any way you need. This floor plan gives better flow between kitchen/family.dining/alfresco and better for unloading the car with the driveway running down beside the kitchen and verandah

Having just finished my Renovation - including relocation of the Kitchen - I can sympathise with your dilemma. Consentino put out an incredible array of beautiful 'man made' stone benches and it's so hard to know what looks good with what. If you are near a big city, you might be lucky enough to be able to visit a purpose built Consentino showroom where they have most of their products displayed on bench tops and on the walls etc. It's worth the effort if you can do that. I used Consentino's very expensive Dekton for my bench tops and it is quite dark. I don't have any problems with cleaning. My major problem is My husband - who tells everyone who will listen, that I cornered the market on stone gold. Secretly though, he's very proud of the look, as am I. Like you, I was having a difficult time trying to decide on the splashback tiles - until my kitchen designer worked out that I would have just enough left over that I could use it behind the hob and also on the wall behind the Coffee Maker. It meant zero waste and I'm so pleased with the effect. I've attached a photo to help you see how it came together. If you are able to do this with your benchtop, it will be a huge saving to you and will give a cohesive look. As for which colour. It's really such a personal thing, however, if you have been following kitchen trends you will know that people are moving away from all white kitchens and adding more colour. Because your flooring appears to have some dark tones - almost black, I think that you could get away with a black stone that has a small amount of white marbling. I hope this helps with your decisions.