I would clad it in horizontal wide timber flooring planks. Myself I'd go a grey, weathered timber like an oak, the engineered flooring can be bout in packs, so a single pack would create a feature inexpenssively. It will provide the oppotunity to introduce timber details in furnishings or kitchen accessories. Natural timber softens modern interiors, relaxes and adds character to traditional looks like provincial or hamptons styles. The wide plank will enhance the flow as a walk through, but still provide an intersting visual texture to the adjoining lounge area.

I've noticed a recent trend of the vertical color on the island matching the vertical color on the splashback. Liking that trend. So I would say go with the turquoise glass splash back color. Deepen it a little so the hue is closer to that of the floor. Cant tell from pic whether island cupboards are the same color as cupboards above the splashback. If they are, all the better. That then brings the turquoise/white combo forward into the room and gives some unity.

Hi I just thought I would leave a comment about the visibility of joins in reconstituted stone such as Caesarstone tops on islands longer than 3 metres. From a patern point of view; by selecting a style that has a fine grain certainly helps with reducing the visibility of a join. As for the join itself, the technology and tooling used to make such joints has come a long way in the last 10 years; therefore if you use a Kitchen Manufacturer who uses up-to-date stone fabrication methods, then such joins can be next to near invisible. Below is a kitchen we made with an Island that is over 4.3 metres long and has a join through the centre; where the join actually has to be pointed out to be seen. We have seen Kitchen Manufactures use the two height method but you really don't have to do this to achieve a long island. If you would like a long island, then you should not be put off by having to have a join; careful selection of your material, manufacturer and planning can achieve great results. Hope this helps anyone reading this article and the comments above.

big project - as siriuskey has questioned such an expansive reconfiguration and extension under and existing upper level is not going to be cheap, but sometimes it's the only way to achieve the project requirements, like here accommodating large living/entertaining areas...... There are always many different ways of achieving project needs. Without knowing the full context/space at the front and/or garage requirements hard to suggest specific options, but for example the garage could be repurposed for the extra space you're after without needing to go as agressively with changing existing structure and consider alternative / cheaper vehicle housing out the front i(f this is possible but depends on setbacks and the project priorities & budget limits). As a start suggest you get accurate sized furniture on the plan so you can see clearly how these spaces are going to work and flow - they may need to be bigger or smaller than you initially think - when designing resolve internal function and planning/flow/paths of movement etc first and then build in the structure, walls etc around the function (think "inside-out" rather than "ouside-in" - this way you'll get a much more balanced and more aligned outcome in regards to your goals/needs good luck PD www.pauldistefanodesign.com