I love white also. I agree the ideal would be for a less busy benchtop but it can be extremely expensive and a bit risky with changing the benchtop as it may harm the cupboard's strength. There is a company that covers the benchtop without removing the existing one which may also be a bit cheaper. The good thing is that the benchtop is a neutral colour and may not stand out once you have furnished and it appears to be in a very good condition. Maybe you could come back to that at a later date after you completely do up your home if it bothers you. The cost of the benchtop just may inhibit you from furbishing the whole house or getting a new fridge etc which I think would have a greater impact in you living there. Another possibility is to firstly change the vertical window blind to either white shutters, a wide striped material London blind, a sheer white London blind or a double roller blind(one sheer,one privacy - luxaflex have this and other types) that would blend with the dining and living room. Add white painted cornices to the top of the cupboards. Even though it is common to not have cornice tops now, this kitchen is not ultra modern and the cornice would upgrade the cupboards and suit your house. Change the tap to a more swan neck shape - invest in a good quality tap no more than 30cm high. A stainless steel fridge the size of the opening would be a very important purchase rather than keeping a smaller size fridge if that is what you have. The pantry has such a strong end focus that I would be inclined to change the pantry doors to black chalkboard painted doors to add a fun element. Keep the cornice, side panel and kickboard white. The blackened doors would blend in with the dishwasher trim and balance the benchtop. Even though you are adding black as apposed to white, I think the room would still be light but the change would give it more personality - especially when you add some white chalk. Add a friendly potplant - maybe a madonna lily or fresh herbs - and some fruit under the open shelves and keep the benchtop clear in front where you enter. They look white and good but if the splashback tiles aren't an appealing white you could have them replaced or tiled over to white subway tiles that you personally really enjoy looking at. Best wishes with your new home. It looks light and airy and spacious which is lovely. If you do make changes make sure the products are of a high quality so that they 'speak' to you. Even without changing things, once you have your things in the lounge and dining rooms, the kitchen will blend in as it is white and simple.

Second attempt was with Windex and same paper towel, which cleaned the two honed surfaces up pretty well. The lighter Raw Concrete seems to have been easier than the Sleek Concrete. And finally, to get rid of that pot scratch I used a non-scratching Scotch brite pad (what we usually use on dishes) with some diluted Soft Scrub. This one took a little more elbow grease but I'm satisfied with the results. My opinion is that comparing the two surfaces (honed vs. glossy) there is a marked difference. That being said, I currently have tile from 1978 and grout lines that are so deep and narrow I have to scrub them out with a toothbrush. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. We decided to go with the Raw Concrete after all, and like others have said, just expect that it'll take a little more work and show a few more stains. But then again, isn't that the whole point of concrete? That it looks industrial? I hope this has helped someone. If anyone is interested I'll try to post some more photos and real life feedback in a couple of weeks once ours is installed.

I would get in there to enliven up the space without taking away from the clean lines. You don't do that by repeating more of the same. You make the rest of the kitchen, with all its weight and clean lines play into something not the same. I would suggest you look at a gold leaf look ( ie with a little texture in it. Obviously not actual gold leaf) and put the most vibrant magenta pink/red that you dare in a horizontal line about 2 inches wide and going the full length of the area. Just very well executed paint. Make it above your average pot size so it does not disappear behind pots and pans. That way every time you will look at that place in your home and think Oh Yeah! Also, if you would rather .... make the coloured line turquoise.

Wish i found this Q &A before. So many beautiful people advising and sharing here! I am Repainting Tropical Queenslander with dark red and orangy timber floors and this thread is so helpful. I painted Whisper white and it is throwing so much Green it makes me so sad I am going to repaint. I get loads of tropical sun in the north facing - with eastern morning sunlight. Was just about to go and buy Natural White just to cover it. Do you think it will be too dull/warm a colour. I do like a fresh feel and contrasting with vivid white decorative trims. The whisper white looks nice For a while in the morning while the morning sunlight throws read up onto it but then it returns to a green