Thank you all for your timely responses. I too have always enjoyed the convenience of my two ovens which can be used independently of each other, which is why I am seriously considering the 1.5 double oven option. I have also researched the idea of two compact ovens which include microwave and steam options, (Bosch, Miele, Smeg AEG etc) and was all excited about that idea, but to install two of these is far too expensive. ($5000+ minimum) The freestanding convection microwave options all stipulate minimum 10-20cm airflow at the top of the unit, and the ones that do come with trim kits still all end up being too large for the space...frustratingly, often by only 2 or 3 cm! And yes, I've also lusted after an induction cooktop, but the expense of chasing wiring down a solid brick wall and disrupting backsplash tiling has put the kybosh on that idea. Anyhow, I have slept on this (again!) and have come to the conclusion that a 1.5 oven without an integrated microwave is the only way available at a reasonable cost.... A small microwave inside a cupboard might just work.... It's both interesting and noteworthy that convection/microwave +/- steam, with regular multifunction oven combinations although expensive, are readily available in several brands in the US......I'm jealous!

Wouldn't the cost of a new double oven or the Ilve suggested be comparable to some decent $$$ spent on the kitchen or tiles itself? New tiles can be laid over old or even floating timber floor (lighter/darker/black/limed oak) or too much timber? I had timber cupboards too and replaced just the doors with a light laminate timber look finish which made so much difference to the look and I love it! inelew are you just bored with the current kitchen because it is quite traditional? The cost of cutting in the stone bench and purchasing/installing a new oven could be worth weighing up against refinishing the existing cupboards doors or replacing them. Lightening the existing ones either with paint as suggested or limewash...all depends on whether your tastes have changed that much. Do you like or loathe the current set up and is the oven still in good working order?

the plan looks great but not sure if you want/need a microwave or rangehood so my suggestions include wider under bench cabinet into the left hand void space with the 30cm door, assume an under bench oven, a microwave could be 30cm above the counter under the right hand wall cabinet, space under the microwave for toaster and kettle, wall cabinets to at least the top of the windows and deep enough to reach the edge of the architrave around the window (the extra 2-3cms depth makes a big difference for tight storage, cook top parallel and towards the front off centred along the counter allows for above cooktop wall cabinets 60cm tall with 140 deep open shelf and optional range hood fridge with microwave and wall cabinets oven with open shelf, wall cabinets and rangehood cabinets showing position of cooktop, range hood and mw the awful colours are due to limitations of my vintage program and your colour scheme is the best

I would highly recommend AVOIDING a siemens oven. We bought a normal oven, along with a combo steam oven, about 6 years ago. The whole time we kept getting faults on our steam oven and after every fix the error would come back, or a different error code would pop up. After 3 years the top heating element fell loose because the screws holding it in place completely rusted and left a hole into the oven cavity. The oven had to be replaced, which was a nightmare to organise, but we eventually got them to agree/organise. Another 3 years down the track and we have had the same issue with the rusted cavity top! I have since found other reviews stating the same issue. We had issues with our siemens gas cooktop also, however in fairness, after a service technician fixed those it has performed well enough. You would expect, paying so much, that an oven would last more than 3 years. We designed our new kitchen around these appliances, and our other oven will now not match a new steam oven. They have offered us a refund of our originally paid price, which is far less than what the oven costs now. I'm extremely disappointed, we will be left substantially out of pocket and with an oven that does not suit our kitchen. Aside from that, their ovens don't even cook well - things don't seem to crisp up as well as they used to in my much cheaper previous oven. Don't be fooled by the sleek design like we were.