Hi Sabi, You have a great light kitchen with lots of window, so be wary of darkening the effect too much if you like the current feel. As all your existing storage is concealed behind cupboard doors, to add an extra dimension to the space, you could consider some open storage for display of all your 'nice' pieces. Your kitchen looks to be a traditional style, so it would be easy to find a tall (or even a bench height unit to give you more space) that fits in with your scheme. See the image I have attached below. Misshayley's suggestion of a glass splash back would work well, just remember that the colour of the year (Masala) may be "on trend" now, but designers rarely advise you go with on trend items that are expensive to replace. You could then select a few accessories to display in the kitchen area that carry that colour through the space. Perhaps a feature wall nearby painted in this, as it is less costly to repaint if you tire of it. Add some greenery to the room for a fresh look & great contrast with the Masala. Glass splash backs are great if you want to avoid the work of having to keep tile grout clean. regards, Lisa Elliott

Hi if you are remodelling yourselves it helps to think of the blocks of colour in large scale as well as the natural and artificial lighting - things will change accordingly. I found some images here on Houzz for both of those samples. In the end, each tone will give you a different feel. Factoring in the design of the kitchen itself.This first kitchen uses 'Bianco Drift' in a traditional style . Whereas this kitchen has 'Frosty Carrina' caesarstone. We have 'Almond Rocca' caesarstone in our bathrooms which is quite yellow - warm. And we have 'Nougat' in our kitchen which is fresh and clean and white. I personally prefer a clean look in my kitchen. What are you drawn to? Regards Jacqueline

I wouldn't have timber around a sink or other wet area but I do have a large spotted gum island bench that I just love. In a previous kitchen I had a very deep timber island bench with the stove top into it and, again, that wasn't a problem – because all the things you have to do to maintain the timber bench are just the same things you need to do to have a clean kitchen work area. Maintenance is wiping it over every day (and often several times a day depending on activities) but isn't that what you'd do regardless of the material? Once a week (or even a fortnight if it's been a quiet time) I polish it which means tidying away everything that has collected on it – but, again, regardless of material the tidying away part has to happen regularly and then you may as well give whatever surface it is a good rub. So I don't really understand the chorus of 'But timber takes too much care and maintenance'. The issue of a natural material showing its age and use (patina) is another furphy in my opinion – timber looks better and better as it ages whereas many other materials just look shabbier. The timber glows in daylight and under lights, is quiet, warm and welcoming making it a natural place for people to gather and chat, have a cuppa (or something stronger) and something to nibble on, read the newspaper, make a phone call, do a crossword, whatever ... And it becomes more beautiful as it ages.

Fair enough on the bench tops - they are beautiful! Looking at all the photos I would do what someone else mentioned first and replace the splash back tiles with something white. I'd also replace the framed picture on the wall with something framed in white and introduce as many lighter things into the room a even in the glass cabinets to reflect some white. I Also think the whole space needs some colour. I don't mean great big swathes but touches of say the colour that makes you the most happy (mine are a coral pink and a duck egg blue - but never together!).