I've a friend with a Blanco sink that looks similar. The big issue is keeping it clean, because it's very hard to get the gunk out of those squared off corners. Personally, I'd go with something with rounded corners, even if they're only slightly rounded. We have an Oliveri Sonetto, which has modestly rounded corners (but is more expensive). http://www.harveynorman.com.au/kitchen-appliances/sinks-taps/oliveri-sonetto-undermount-sink.html That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with the quality of Blancos, it's the straight edge design that looks good in the magazines but is a pain to live with. You might have a look at Abey and some of the mid-range Clark sinks as well (our last house had a very serviceable Clark Monaco).

Here are links to 2 older threads that may be useful to you. The common suggestion is steer away from cool or stark whites with this stone. It might be worth seeing how 1/4 strength antique white usa colour looks with Frosty Carina. Or 1/4 or 1/8 strength beige royal?? This colour at full strength is suggested in one of the links. It also is paired with antique white on dulux colour wall. [https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/can-u-kindly-tell-me-abt-cabinet-colour-and-subway-tile-many-thanks-dsvw-vd~3344297?n=6[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/can-u-kindly-tell-me-abt-cabinet-colour-and-subway-tile-many-thanks-dsvw-vd~3344297?n=6) [https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/which-white-works-with-frosty-carrina-dsvw-vd~3982946?n=4[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/which-white-works-with-frosty-carrina-dsvw-vd~3982946?n=4)

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.

thank you for your advise. I have put images of the outside of the house as that where the dining room is from there we will be bringing the decking out 3 metres which will create an out - indoor eating. this is the most finished room giving you an idea of the colour and house. all blue grey tones. sorry about stuff around but a reno house is hard to find spaces below is kitchen as is looking out to the dining through that open servery but we are taking most of that wall out to make an open space - its very small step down below into the dining through the left door way. below is the now dining. the table is very small and hard to pull chairs in and out of hence the indoor out door considerations. belwo is the outdoor looking in. from those doors we are putting a 3 metre decking i think. we have a lot of yard so its easy to do