anaewlo - did all this just over 12 months ago so know how valuable an extra pair or eyes and a clearer head can help. The "little" things are the ones so easily missed and the ones that make you ask "what was I thinking" or "how did I miss that". You could take the tiles up higher immediately behind the hotplates, the range hood would then tie it all together and you could even have some nice artwork each side of it. The only concern I have - are the 2 tiles in the second row centred over your hotplates? Fine if they are as you will have that high part nice and even. If not, I'd a have good think about it. Otherwise, assuming you will paint the walls in a semi gloss paint, the lower tiles will take the brunt of the oil and what goes on the walls will be pretty easy to wash off, it is just a matter of wiping it down after each cooking session. There are times to match things up and there are times to blend. With your downlights, keep to white (assuming you will paint your ceilings white). this way they tend to disappear into the ceiling

Thanks to everyone for all your helpful comments. As much as I'd love the light airy style kitchen with the light grey benchtops, I've decided to go with timber as it will stand up to my boof head hubby, he is just too heavy handed to trust with a laminex benchtop, if he does cause any damage we can just sand and re-oil and will be good as new. I also felt timber on my desktop (area on the side) would be warmer and more welcoming as I work from home and the thought of a cold laminex desktop wasn't appealing. I will try to counteract the over abundance of timber with white splash back tiles and lighter floors when we redo those, hopefully that will lighten it all up a bit. The buffet in the dining is going and will be replaced with something in a lighter tone so that will cut down on the timber as well and the stools will be painted to match the cabinets. I'll more than likely do away with all the timber furniture and go lighter soon anyway....a change is as good as a holiday they say, and I can't afford a holiday now I've got a new kitchen so..... I'll post photos of the finished product but thanks for all your help.

Gum trees are provide a stunning canopy to any garden, but as with any large tree close to your home, you need to be mindful of its health and possible future limb failure. Sudden limb failure in Eucalypts is the result of periods of dry weather, impacts on a tree's root zone and subsequent moisture stress. I recommend creating a beautiful native garden in this area with groundcovers and grasses that are suited to the sunlight available. Make sure the area is properly mulched (organic mulch is best) and that you water the area during periods of hot weather. It's also worthwhile having an arborist look at the tree every 12 months of so to make sure it is still healthy.

I live in a townhouse complex and the gutters, garage door etc, will need repainting soon. The body corporate has a wide range of colours - based on colourbond - which we can choose from. I grabbed swatches of possible colours and tested them against the yellowy gold bricks. The colours I liked best didn't look right and one I'd discounted did. So try and see what seems to work to you; squint if necessary but stand back a bit and see The two biggest colours are the brick and the roof, so see what works with them. I suspect black will be too stark a contrast.