Hi Sheron, Kitchen is looking great - is it just just behind the hob you were looking to do? Couple of ideas: 1) could get a piece of clear glass cut to suit and screw in place (with rubber grommets to protect glass) - you can then use it like a picture frame and put photos/maps/postcards etc behind it - and change whenever you want 2) I'm still stalling on what to do with our hob splash back, so I've painted that section of the wall in matching paint, but in an eggshell finish. This means it's wipe-down and keeps the room quite minimal whilst I decide - but I might keep it this way! 3) tiles always look great and are very durable - I'd always recommend getting lots of samples before committing to any of them though 4) you could get a slab of the same worktop material to run up the wall? Re: the stools - whilst not very modern looking, they look fairly robust and reliable - so you could always investigate keeping these and painting these in your chosen feature colour?

We have a ceiling mounted extractor in a very large room and it works really well. We ended up with a Brittania BEST extractor (bought from John Lewis) simply because we have a structural steel running above and the position of the internal ducting fit best with that model, though it's a bit bigger than we ideally wanted. The slightly lowered section of ceiling around the extractor is also because of the steel and wouldn't otherwise have been needed. We were actually told that there is a minimum height, rather than maximum, for it to work properly - see http://www.besthoods.co.uk/2011/08/ceiling-extractors-8-things-you-need-to-consider-before-buying-a-ceiling-hood/ It's very powerful and we've had no issues with it. A family member has the pop up option and that has been a bit of a hassle - it's not that powerful and ends up getting dirty from cooking every time.

You can just put Ikea drawer cabinets back to back. Ikea carcasses are very high quality. Look here http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/ideas/3-ways-to-think-about-your-kitchen-1364308671815/?N=0+4294966694&Nr=content.type%3Ai%3Aideas&Ns=rank%7C0&t=ideas&filter=Kitchen. Our webshop provides fronts, side panels and even worktops to customise it www.customfronts.co.uk :-)

I would deconstruct it carefully and in sections - take off the plinth first to check what the flooring situation is underneath it. If it's the same as the rest of the room, then remove the higher section. Lay a big bit of cardboard over the remaining units to see whether a single-height peninsula would work for you. If still too much, remove all the units and see how you like the open space. I think I'd be tempted to replace it with a small-ish round table - which can be moved in the space as required, perhaps closer to the window - easier spot to have quick breakfast/lunch at (esp if you have kids).