Hi, have you considered smokey mirror? We did a full home build recently with the kitchen and bar both with smokey mirror splash backs. Looks great and gives lots of wow factor. Cleaning isn't so bad either. More pics on our projects page if you're interested. Good luck! Creative Home Plus

Dulux Natural White is a favorite of ours, great choice for the walls. It has a bit of every tone in it & can make other whites look a little blue-ish & stark, without knowing what the Caesarstone looks like exactly, perhaps this has been your problem. So a suggested colour for the cupboard doors is Antique White USA (if you can select a Dulux colour) which also has 3 tones in it but looks a little brighter/fresher - which is nice for cupboards. Especially if they're glossy. Another option - if your cupboards are super high gloss, then using Natural White will work well. Whites always look a little lighter when finished in high gloss. One more option - use the colour your trims (door frames, skirting, etc) is painted for your cupboard doors to give great balance to the overall look. Hope that helps a little :)

I really feel for you. I had a similar experience when a neighbour recommended someone she knew who was 'really good'! He was extremely lazy and, apparently, suffering from depression and he had split up with his girlfriend! He did a dreadful job which took a week - because he was too depressed to work on some days - he only did about half the job and I wasn't impressed. It has ruined my relationship with my neighbour because she knew him to be really good. She won't even come into my place - I assume she doesn't want to see the mess he created! To top it all off (I had paid him cash - fortunately only half of what he 'wanted' (not 'earned') so he wouldn't be paying tax on it )- I didn't get a receipt. He also took my house keys so I had to have the locks replaced. Such a mess and then, I had some tradies through a couple of weeks later for an unrelated job and they asked me when I was getting the place painted? When I told them it had just been done, they really didn't know where to look. I seem to constantly get ripped off, so I'm not getting much done any more - too expensive and depressing.

I love Julie's ideas of succulents , especially the pics with several different ones in the same pot . As far as the grey , I wouldn't -- you look like you like colour and excitement , so I'd go yellow on the pots -- a similar or slightly brighter shade then the cushion on the couch or chair to the left . It would tie it all in , and make that lovely mat look more like a feature too IMO . Without knowing 'the bigger picture' ( what else is 'happening' around that wall ) , just what I see I'd be inclined to add a light either side of the door too -- stick to the same shade as the joinery ( personally , I'd go for a 'clean rustic; style with say 15 squares each side ) , or if brave ( and assuming the guttering etc is probably a similar charcoal as your door joinery ? ) , go for the same yellow as your pots -- add a Wow !