Hi Sofia, the latest trend is that all white kitchens are on the out, so breaking up the colour scheme is and introducing natural elements, which is now the trend, is bang on. Well done. A natural style includes natural materials and colours. The thing is what sort of natural. This comes back to your style. What is it? Natural rainforest feel, desert, beach? If you think of your home in this light, it helps you to choose the right direction through textures that you can then take throughout your home to streamline it and increase it's appeal. In decorating we also look for opportunities to add contrast, so I see nothing wrong with a dark bench but here's the other lesson! Uniting your colours is vital. You have a timber look floor and a grey splashback - they are different. They need to be merged. Merge them in your benchtop with a Ceasarstone (which is worth every penny you put into it for the resale of your home). Something like this one: http://www.caesarstone.com.au/colour/6270-atlantic-salt ...Which isn't too dark, has a gorgeous contrasting texture and yet the timber and spalshback hues. Wallpapers are in big time and have been for a while and are not going out. Try picking out a major wall here and there and hanging a textured or a natural themed wallpaper ie leaves pattern, depending on the style, in a natural colour palette to match your floor. The whites, greys, blacks are neutrals - which go with anything. Compliment the colour scheme with Green which is a receding colour and will create the illusion of more space in a small space, and you'll have a natural style and theme. Lastly, again, depending on your style and theme, you'll need art to confirm exactly what these are. I am a customised artwork specialist. Your artwork again, will unite all your colours and create a focal point for the space... and so very much more. Have fun!

Hi Caroline, i know what you mean, I'm not a fan of white tiles either because I have young kids but sometimes a room needs them to add light, the following photos all have a wood look feature tile but they all have white/cream somewhere. If you could imagine all of the floor and walls in your dark tile and then a lovely bright white background on just one wall and your wood look vanity I really think it would be fabulous! I think subway tiles may be too busy. A simple white tile would bring so much light into the room! you can add pendants , towels, decor to bring in more colour. Often when looking at tiles In showrooms they look like they will all go, but try and find a photo of the tile you've chosen laid as a whole wall, it often looks much different. I think you should go with what you love though!

Your splashback should be consistant right around the three sides. You already have contrasting overhead cupboards, so bringing in two different splashback tiles will look too busy. I don't think dark, mirrored splashback tiles are very practical above a sink as they will show every water splash (and reflect any kitchen clutter). Simple and understated is often the most timeless solution when you already have drama with your contrasting cabinetwork. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

The only way to tell is to look at samples of each material adjacent to each other in the location of your new kitchen. There are too many variables with lighting, photography, and screen adjustment to provide a valid opinion online. Your benchtop will be there for a long time so pay the extra dollars if you love the most expensive one and it works well with the other materials, otherwise you will be reminded of your compromise everytime you use your kitchen. Best of luck, Dr Retro House Calls