our obsession with antibacterial products apparently is creating bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics. They should be banned if the government could take any decisive action (not talking about general disinfectant here, just every surface spray for the kitchen and hand washing that also "needs" antibacterial)......

Without a doubt Enjo works best for us. We have a fairly new kitchen and we were having trouble easily removing the marks from black matte cabinetry as well as cleaning the ‘fresh concrete’ Caesarstone without streaks ( both of these materials have lots of comments on this Houzz advice site). The Enjo works much better than the manufacturer supplied products - I think because the fibres & water remove the dirt without leaving a residue behind which can streak. Our Enjo rep is happy to pop over to show us how to best clean whatever new material we bring into the house. We have been reaIly stuck sometimes but the cloths always come up trumps. I promise I am not an Enjo rep myself, just a convert!

Let's keep it nice, I don't think EthanWes is as precious as you may think and it is a forum for personal opinions after all. I also thought the comeback was unnecessarily aggressive & unwarranted. I would keep whatever you put there quite subtle and simple in colour so it doesn't draw the eye. You've got a nice retro/scandi feel from the look of it, see it as another way to carry this through?! So some ideas: - a small succulent in a low 1-2" pot, possibly including a trailing one such as Silver Falls (though don't let it get too out of hand!), will help make it look less compartmenty. Or even Ikea http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/40349079/ - a couple of neutral coloured cookbooks stacked horizontally. - a nice low serving dish in a soft grey - but make it one you will actually use, not just for aesthetics! ; D I have a similar one to this https://www.countryroad.com.au/shop/home/kitchen-and-dining/serving/60209668/Tiro-Salad-Bowl.html https://www.countryroad.com.au/shop/home/kitchen-and-dining/serving/60203911-9084/Tapas-Salad-Bowl.html and use it a lot. - or, if you like your tech, it could be a great place for a small wireless speaker. Expensive example, but something like the Bose Soundlink Mini If you're looking for more ideas, 'open shelving' should provide lots though you are constrained with the very low height of the shelves.

Tiles will need a very stable base to avoid cracking if the house subtly moves. We’ve had a couple of very solid floor tiles break after minor impacts in our pre 1947 Qld home. Laid in the bathroom, to code, but still fine cracks in a couple of places. All doable on timber floor, but not as straight forward as laying on a concrete slab. (I love cork for all these reasons and it doesn’t have to be scarey orange anymore. Very flexible and durable but I know I’m firmly in the minority with that one!)