Kitchens are a big expense - especially the chairs so I would match them to the units - the set you showed matches the colours of the chairs with the units really well, BUT, 1. The pine top doesn't work and 2. You need to add a bit of pzaz to this space. You can paint or cover the pine top with whatever colours / textures you choose as accents then follow these colours through into the pictures and the odd accessory (but don't go mad and keep most of the kitchen utensils and tools in the same colour as the background so they 'disappear' - only use subtle accent colours on gorgeous items so they stand out). This way, if you get bored with your scheme you can just change the accessories and the table top colour rather than the whole lot. Feel free to email me for more help. Good Luck! www.mendinghouses.com: ebooks / blogs / tips & tricks all about property.

I didn't vote, I don't want either really. I'm not into things that make a "statement". I like thing to be harmonious, which compliment and co-ordinate with each other, no one item thing standing out. I don't mind things that are a focal point of a room, but I don't want them to dominate the rest of the furniture or furnishings, so you only see that one thing. Besides, who am I making a statement to?

Surely you get stuff - food and debris caught in the small gaps and joins of the parquet - not very hygienic, I'd have thought.

I had a friend with a real marble table……. It had so many layers of protective seals that it no longer looked like marble. But there are alternatives that are better than marble but with the right look. Personally I like ceramic/ porcelain tables. Italians make some of the best porcelain. Although a shade more expensive than plain marble, porcelains have the pattern printed on them meaning you can get a table that realistically looks like a very expensive heavily veined marble without the price tag of the real thing. Furthermore they have great stain and scratch resistance.