Know thy self... you sound like you're bobbing around in an ocean of ideas and safety nets and don't know whose life rope to grab. Take time out to look at addressing a few aspects of yourself : * the dynamics of yourself as an individual and the needs upon you and of you in light of your desires for better feeling and functionality of the space * then let's select pieces, items and collections you feel compelled to hold onto for one reason or another * group things and find the unique story that is you ... your family ... whether letting go of or even moving toward * then start incorporating the reno decisions to compliment and contrast, moving outward with the eye and feel into other areas of your home * if working from a blank canvass then pull pics from magazines and start a collage or a number of boards to express interpretations * another idea is to simply sit in meditation... close your eyes, relax, in your minds eye walk into your dream kitchen. Picture this by yourself, as a family, entertaining and any other occasion you experience. Have fun! Let me know how you get on. I'd love to see pics and know your thoughts and feelings around the choices, not decisions, choices.... you made :)

Probably the cheapest fix is to paint the cabinets. Especially if it is a DIY job. But it is a lot of painting. If the budget stretches further then I’d update the hardware/handles/pulls and remove that overhead cabinet near the stovetop. That would open things up but it probably also means repairs to the ceiling and wall it is attached to. Do a google image search of painted oak cabinets for inspiration. Some of them come up really well. Not much can be done about the colour of the appliances except for replacing them which is expensive. There is appliance paint but I’m not sure how successful it is, and you can’t use it on the cooktop or oven glass. Best of luck with this project.

It depends on how big your house is, and how many doors can be seen from the kitchen. Matching the finish will give a cleaner and more cohesive look to the house, especially if the laundry opens out of the kitchen. Matt black handles are very on-trend right now, whereas stainless steel is classic and timeless. Your matt black kitchen handles may look a bit dated in ten years time, but usually kitchen handles are easy enough to replace. If you love the black, and budget isn't an option you could always change all of your handles to matt black! Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Let’s talk about a few little things that you might not have thought could add luxurious bathroom vibes…Accessories! And the good new is, that they are relatively cost effective and an easy way change the look and feel of your entire bathroom. He’re our list of essential accessories that you can easily DIY and bring your bathroom straight into 2020: Heated Towel Rails – the ultimate in a luxurious bathroom is a heated towel rail. What could be better than getting out of the shower to a warm, fluffy towel! Robe Hooks – these nifty little pieces aren’t just for robes… We suggest using them to hang towels, hand towels! Mirrors – another of our favourite ways to transform your bathroom, is with mirrors. They are a quick and easy way to bring a fresh feel to the space and with more and more styles available, you can change them whenever you like Hand Towel Holder – one of the often forgotten accessories in a bathroom is the hand towel ring. Make sure you position this piece within easy reach of your basin and add a beautiful coloured or texture towel to complete the luxurious bathroom look. Shower Shelf – if you didn’t opt for a shower niche to hold all your toiletries, then you might like the idea of a shower shelf. Not only are they a practical storage solution, but they are also available in a range of sizes and finishes that will instantly add a luxe design feature to your showering experience!