Hi Pineapplerose, I think there may be a few layers to your dilemma. The first is about fashion and taste (as it should be!!) Mid brown or lighter colours will provide a more contemporary look but you'd be best to surround it with fittings and finishes that with a modern shout out. That is, you can stylise the bench top further with your selections. The second is to look at composite stone products which will give you far more choice - usually with a lower price. Note: 'Granite-look' composite stone benchtops are a premium product but well worth the spend. An important question to ask about composite stone benchtops is the % of resign used as this will indicate how stain resistant it will be. (Note: the only products that are 100% stain resistant are glass or stainless steel) If you'd like some kitchen design inspiration, see: 101 Kitchen and Bathroom Design Ideas Good luck: Richard@themakeovergroup (Melbourne)

Hi Lil, I believe your original plan works much better than the revised version. While the notion of ideal working widths is great, the larger problem here is the post. I worked on a project very similar to this last year where a post could either be connect to, or separate from the island. What we found was that by separating the island the space between island and post became very awkward. It's not enough of a space to comfortably walk through or be seated at the island in front of. Instead of your room feeling open and generous in proportion, it is going to start to feel cramped and awkward. We have a kitchen in our showroom (Kitchen Studio Tauranga NZ) with a 6ft gap between bench and back wall and it works wonderfully. It allows someone to work at the sink and a second at the island with ease. Stick with the original plan. It will feel a lot more spacious, without compromising work flows.

I think that would look great with floorboards in a classic walnut colour, that would definitely look great with the light cabinets. If you want an idea of how it might look with the end finishes, you can type this into google and they should be able to show you a few.

I , as often seems the case , look at things differently . The cupboards look pleasant , and I gather you want to keep them -- without knowing their condition , I would too . The wooden window sill and door surround are great too , as is the floor . Nothing wrong with the stove and hood either ( can't see enough of the hood so I might be wrong there haha ) . I could live with the taps and the sink ( it has character ) . The tap I categorise the same . I'm sort of in-the-middle about the dishwasher and fridge -- the white doesn't quite work with the stove and even the cupboard colour . Ideally , I'd replace , but I wouldn't get too upset if I had to keep them , at least for a couple of years . So my 'don't like' list is the benchtop , cupboard handles , and the tiles . A couple of others have beaten me to it , but I'd go wood for the benchtop , OR marble or a good marble effect -- offwhites with grey and charcoal streaks . I'll let you make that choice haha . BUT I'd use the sink and tap , as I consider it ties in with the stove . So that leaves the cupboard door handles , and I'd go brass , probably antiqued brass ( darker ) but not an old style with scrolls or stuff -- modern , but as dark brown as I could get . Tiles -- probably those strip ones you get , with narrow charcoal slightly sparkly parts , silvery parts , brushed stainless parts , with a grey grout . The power point on the right I'd revert back to brass plate/surround . If I could , change the fridge and dishwasher to brushed stainless too . So you have wood , darker brown handles , the light cream , stainless , more wood , more stainless , and maybe a greyish marble or more wood .