Open shelves Dan create visual interest if you use them to store common place everyday objects, ones that will be used enough to avoid collecting dust, or display Like minded items of interest, whether it be all white serving ware, as in country styled kitchens, or a grouping of recipe books. Whichever you choose, make sure the items are not static, and get moved around enough to remain visually interesting and dust free! Open shelves can be vertical shelving units, amongst your tall cabinets to fill awkward left over space, at upper level within easy reach of your, keeping Bench-tops free of clutter. They can merge into an adjoining desk space perfect to pay and store bills, or charge your iPad etc ready for ordering online. Open shelves can be further utilized to introduce colour or texture into a single palette kitchen, for example having timber open shelves or a colour can tie in accessories, appliances or even splash back colours. As a kitchen designer, I often include them into a design, and make sure they are a usable size, and flexible enough that if you tire of them, you could order a door to enclose them at some point. If you like the option of that, the shelves would be need to be recessed 20mm back from the adjoining door fronts so if one was added, they would all be seamless. This can be design feature by also adding a 20mm shadow line around the unit. To get an idea, take a look at the Formica colour palette brochure with a timber feature open unit, the feature colour here was yellow, and was designed by me. Good luck.

Some good comments above. My simple suggestion goes like this. Starting at each end, I see they are adjustable, double up the shelves making them stronger, and then you will only have two shelves in each bay. Even them out so yu end up with three equal cubbies. They will look quite cubed, and house foldable fabric baskets which are cheaply available in many colours, try Kmart for packs of 5 for less than 10.00. I would use these end cubes for your practical needs, like onesies, singlets, nappies and creams etc. The central shelves I would display the children's favourite things, on lower shelves, books to access, and some things you want seen as keepsakes, not to play with a they won't reach them easily. The shelves could be configured differently in each space depending on use, but I'd utilize the lower two cubes in one room as desk space, with books above. A cute colourful lamp, and again foldable baskets each side, so that perhaps each child may choose their own side, and have somewhere that's just theirs. In a house ful, it's even more important to have somewhere just for your stuff. These will be great when you make them a little less busy, and providing those inserts will keep them looking tidy, even when they're not. maybe you Could have different colours for each child, to help with the order of things. Good luck with another bub.

What country and state are you in? That will affect whether you need a fireplace. I like freestanding bookcase/storage units, they must be attached to the wall if tall and not deep. If getting custom built get at least 3quotes. Finally, there are DIY shelves available at hardware outlets and stores like Ikea.

Sharon, I think they both look great. Trust your instincts. I personally would not be put off buying a house, because I didn't like range hood. I really like the sound of all the choices you have chosen for the kitchen.