I agree with robandlyn - finding photos you like will help your decisions, since you can actually see them in 'action'! Also, a black benchtop will show every spick and speck, and may make the space look smaller because it's so dark. Perhaps a grey would work better?

Cherry Pop - great looking tiles, however your decsion to use them as splashback will depend on their size and the height of the available area to tile. With such a strong pattern you don't want to trim a tile to fit the height. The ideal solution would be to install the window so that the distance between the underside of the window architrave, near the bottom of the window, and the installed benchtop is exactly one tile in height. This will need some careful measurement and juggling of trades to get it perfect. Or you could change your pool tile to be less of a feature such as this simple, white, square, contemporary mosaic. As it is smaller, and has no pattern then it doesn't matter if a row needs to be trimmed to fit in the available wall space. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Thanks geluka, would like the laminate throughout but have been told not to put it in wet areas and kitchen, even though it is advertised as waterproof. My husband can lay the tiles (he's done that before) but the planks will be a new thing. Would love to get someone to do it but its costly. I am coming around to the grey lower cupboard - I will have a look at options. :) The splashback brown tile in the photo is now history, so yes a lighter splashback is best!

I hope you kept your overhead cupboards to be used elsewhere or sold them as they appeared to be in good condition. I have only just seen this post, and was going to show you a picture of a house that had just painted the cupboards and what a difference it made. If you like the beach colours, now is the time to add some of the colours suggested above as part of your accessory colours.....even via spatulas/utensils, tea towel, toaster, jug etc..