I think your kitchen looks timeless, but the idea of dark handles to match the chair legs would pull it together and the Roman blind idea is also better. The cabinets could be painted, but it’s important to have an excellent job done, otherwise it could easily be a bad decision. I’d want to have my bin in a cupboard too. The idea of a bigger glass door would be great, if you aren’t going to extend in the future, otherwise not worth the expense. It might be good to have a cheerful cloth on the table, that echoes the Roman blind and possibly a rug under it, which would zone the area, but it seems a “busy” view into the hall, would it be possible to have milky glass doors to keep the two areas out of view from each other, without loosing light? The paint colours on the walls could be changed to zone the dining area from the working area too and more pictures/hanging plates always cheer up bare walls, but that’s just my views, whatever you do, it’s your home, nota show house and you’ve got to live in it, so whatever you choose, will be right for you.

1. Cabinet Colours Charcoal Grey or Graphite: A rich, moody grey with cool undertones complements the grey flooring perfectly for a cohesive look. Deep Navy Blue: Adds depth and a luxurious feel, while pairing beautifully with your neutral walls and grey-toned floor. Black with a Matte Finish: For a bold, dramatic effect. To keep it from feeling too heavy, combine with lighter countertops and metallic accents. 2. Worktop Suggestions White or Light Quartz with Subtle Veining: Provides contrast and lightens the overall look without clashing with the dark cabinets. Soft Grey Quartz or Concrete Effect: Keeps the palette monochromatic but textured, complementing both the dark cabinets and grey floor. Dark Wood or Walnut: Adds warmth to balance the dark cabinets and create a cozy yet modern feel. 3. Splashback Options Metallic Tiles (Brass or Gold): Add a touch of glamor and reflect light to brighten the space. Mirrored Glass: Increases the sense of space and offsets darker tones. Marble or Stone: Choose slabs with white or grey veining to tie together darker cabinetry and lighter worktops. 4. Hardware & Accents Brushed Brass or Gold: Works beautifully with navy or black cabinets for a luxurious touch. Matte Black: Perfect for a sleek, modern look with graphite or black cabinetry. Gunmetal or Pewter: Complements dark grey cabinets for a more understated, industrial feel. 5. Lighting Use pendant lights or under-cabinet lighting to brighten work areas and counteract the heaviness of dark tones. Choose warm lighting to soften the overall look. Consider metallic or glass pendant lights in brass, black, or chrome finishes. Colour Pairing Recommendation Cabinets: Deep navy blue Worktops: White quartz Splashback: Brass or white subway tiles Accents: Brushed brass hardware or Cabinets: Charcoal grey Worktops: Soft grey concrete quartz Splashback: White marble with grey veining Accents: Matte black handles

Ok so we decided to have one tone Melange cream which is glossy, posted the picture of it....... And now I'm thinking countertop colours. We have 4 teenage boys and our counters are used and left dirty everyday. What colour would u suggest with cream melange? Maybe some texture and patterns to cover the mess?   

Hi there, I think you’ve got a beautiful base to work with, dark green cabinetry and oak flooring is a really timeless combination. The key here is balance. You already have quite a lot of visual weight from the dark cabinets and island, plus the warmth of the oak floor, so I’d avoid going too dark with both the worktops and the floor tiles. For that reason, I’d lean toward the lighter limestone (Jerusalem) rather than the Dijon. It will: brighten the space (especially important even with skylights) complement the warmth of the oak rather than compete with it create a nice contrast with the darker cabinetry On worktops, I wouldn’t go fully dark everywhere. Either: choose a lighter worktop (warm white / subtle marble look), or keep the island darker and go lighter on the perimeter for contrast If you go dark worktops and darker floor tiles, the whole space risks feeling a bit heavy and flat. A lighter floor and/or worktop will lift everything and make the green really stand out. Many thanks, Squared Architects