Thanks so much for the comments. I really appreciate them. AJ I think you're absolutely right about the lighter worktop I think that's what has been bugging me. I am finding the granites a bit busy and am wondering if I would be better going with silestobe or quartz (I'm going for a whiteish quartz with a bit of grey vein for the island worktop with downpipe) . I am thinking a mid grey silestone or quartz could work nicely with wimbourne white cabinets and the chrome handles.. and then accessorize to make it more interesting.

Mrs Mcnee, I could buy a tester for string white but on my colour card it looks quite grey...? Whitening looks quite creamy to me..any views on wimbourne white?

Hello jwstone, Most welcome :)).. Yes I rather think you will prefer a lighter worktop overall, it will compliment the island that you're having and also give the appearance of space... Wimbourne white is a nice white.. It is really a white though.. I used it for the inside of my front door.. So it may be that this is the way you want to go.. For overhead cupboards it will be nice.. (Or bottom)

Have you thought about having touch open hinges.. ie no handles? This is also a very sleek option.. Or the cup handles are really nice too a nickel version... rather than chrome may be something you might like... Nickel is a favourite of mine.. Lovely chopping boards out of any off cuts! Wooden chopping boards too... lovely chrome toaster, A pot of rosemary or two..

Just had a thought.. There is a funny one (paint) called Aunty Maud by Fired Earth, you want the super Eggshell for the cabinets and any wood.. .. it too is quite white (I do rather like the name of it!) but I am loath to suggest more sample pots.. For anything colour wise on wood.. I'd paint the colour onto off cuts if you have any..

: ))

Yes love the cuphandles- I like polished nickel or did you mean matt?

Ps any thoughts on wall colours? I quite like Dimity (farrow) or the pale clay is lovely and I have used that elsewhere in the house..

Hello jwstone, Oh yes definitely polished nickel! Yes Dimity will be a lovely colour as it is a warm tone and chalky (my word of the moment! or decade!).. I like it.. Did you also mean Clay Pale? I think either of those will be really very nice.. Have a look throughout the day and also on sunny and cloudy days.. You will really begin to see how the colours respond to the differing light levels. Also in the evening with the lights on..

: ))

Thanks and yes I meant Llittle Greene clay pale. Can I also ask what you think about flooring, lighting and sockets/switches etc. Ii am looking at a range of pale limestone floors...There are so many but Mandarin Stone Sienna and Tumbled Lyon look lovely. We are having a polished nickel tap and handles but should I go with polished chrome sockets/light dimmers to match or is a contrast better and go satin/matt nickel? Equally on lighting I've seen some gorgeous pendant lights which are chrome on outside and copper inside but I'm worried they maybe too much and perhaps should go with a more matt effect or even glass....

There are so many elements and choices I really want it all to hang together well and it's so tricky to make sure it does as it's a significant investment!!!!!

Hello jwstone, Sorry I didn't see you'd posted again.. Houzz updates don't come through very quickly.. Let me see.. Yes lovely either one would be fantastic!! I still like the idea of polished Nickel or even chrome. For me I had chrome but very flat sockets.I think these look lovely.. I also like the idea of the pendant lighting.. Put a piccy! Also what would be good is for you to send a pic of the room... That's really the best way I can "see" what might be a good suggestion too.. You will get there and you are already well on the way.. With the lighting, even with a more English look like Plain English or deVOL which are my absolute favourite in terms of design aesthetic, you can add a contrasting element.. Twee is not in my vocabulary, so I say choose something with Oomph! . : ))

Thanks so much for that- I wish I could send you a pic but it's not built yet! Our build start Monday to extend our existing kitchen and significantly remodel the space so its tricky imagining how it will be and what will work...I have been looking at worktops again and found a lovely quartz, piatra grey- grey with a white vein in it which is rather nice and not too busy...!

Most welcome jwstone, Also you would be surprised by what I am able to "see" it's part of how I work.. The worktop sounds lovely.. : ))

Yes it sure sounds that way - what do you mean though by lighting with oomph?!!

I mean you can go for something quite industrial in even a period style kitchen... All the really amazing kitchens have a certain aesthetic that mixes both influences like the two companies I mentioned.. So the lighting you mentioned you like, could really work from the sounds of them.. : ))