Starting from the positives, to make your house look more contemporary, I'd suggest replacing all the windows with dark painted timber or aluminium casements, with no glazing bars or little fanlights. I'd also remove the two bays, which are a weak attempt to bring some period style to this clearly non-period house. There should be plenty of space to combine the kitchen and dining room and open them to the garden. You probably saw the difficulties in the two other specific changes you'd like to make. I think there's no satisfactory way to do either without disproportionate loss of useful rooms. They both go against the basic layout of the house, which generally appears relatively sensible, even if it's not what you'd ideally like. Also, I can't see that having the entrance door at the front of the house would be good aesthetically. However, moving the entrance next to the garage door and redesigning the exterior (perhaps all in hardwood, including the garage door) and interior (moving the stair and rearranging the WC) could give a welcoming and less apologetic-looking entrance. These changes, along with good landscaping, would make the house much more appealing.

Hi Carol, If your kitchen is small in space or naturally dark, gloss is beneficial as it reflects light and thus makes the space feel larger (much like when you furnish small rooms with mirrors for the illusion of space). However, the right matte door has a more "premium" feel to it, and tends to be more timeless. Gloss is a bit of a trend right now, but it's worth considering the longevity of the kitchen. It's also worth considering the quality of the finish - if it's a laminate door, either matte or gloss will de-laminate and peel away over time, and the gloss finish is prone to scratch. Try and get a lacquered door if possible! Hope this helps!

New Qooker Fusion Flex tap in (Brilliant bit of kit). Built a dedicated drawer for charging devices. New table acquired. Island still outstanding. To Do list Lighting Remove remainder of cupboards Install reclaimed brick wall Fit new black column rads. Paint paint paint. New flooring (still to decide but a vinyl light grey slate in mind). Paint over existing brick wall in heavy white. Cooker splashback in gloss black metro tiles. Ready for Christmas! Apart from one evening, the kitchen has remained fully functional and 'presentable' throughout. An absolute necessity for our guests.

Hi npost123, You have enormous space to decorate. Let us know if you need any RGB backlit glass, doorsteps or stairs, we will assign you with a personal advisor who will guide you through our buying process :).