Oh excellent, thank you, it looks lovely! I have been to many of the suppliers but QQ is too far away for me with a screaming baby in the car and they won't mail me samples! Once I choose a stone mason I will view them in person because I hear even with Quartz each slab can be a little different. I was thinking maybe Lexicon quarter...warmed up a bit...but I'm not sure. Thanks for the warning, I do have time on my side so I might go get some sample pots and see what actually looks ok with our lighting.

Bluemeeru, yes sink is on left next to dishwasher, which is next to the fridge. I never wanted a sink on the island for the same reason. Water splashes and there will always be something drying on the island. I like the option of having a totally clear island if I need it. Yes, I was worried the sink was too far from the cooktop but it works well for me. I did consider putting a narrow sink near the cooktop just in case I needed water during cooking but left it out in the end. The distance from my sink to the edge of the island is 1.5m. Dishes get taken out of the dishwasher and are put away in the drawers in the island nearest to dishwasher side, as my island is 3m wide. From there it is easy to take them out over the island to the dining table or serve the kids who sit on the island for breakfast. It’s 3.8m from sink to centre of cooktop, which could be considered quite far. I suppose I have gotten used the distance.

Quartz by any major manufacturer is basically made in the same way using the basically the same raw materials and process. Caesarstone just happens to be the "COKE" of the stone world and the advertising budget to match. Is it the "BEST" in our opinion there are better options, finishes and prices. Some of the better brands in Australia would be Technistone, Silestone and Samsung for finish, durability, price and after sales service. Though Smartstone have some very nice marble look ranges now as well that look and feel just as good as the top brands. Ikea, Bunnings where, if not still are using caesarstone brands of quartz. Though it does change around. like their fabricating companies

I think you should lay the floor first as I'm almost certain it will change your benchtop choice. There will be very little contrast in that space once you install a washed oak floor. I understand the reaction to the dislike of the current benchtop to choose a really pale one. But you may well decide on more definition than those very pale choices provide. If I look at all the modern white kitchens they typically have a large dark contrast area in the room to bring out definition.