Hi, A wood floor will obviously help and they are right a cork floor would be even more absorbent than a harder wood floor. Obviously the disadvantage is being softer it can damage easier and does not always look great. I have added a link to a engineered wood floor that uses cork and oak and is not expensive. Its worth fitting a acoustic barrier below this also on link. http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/accessories/651/natura_sonic_gold_acoustic_underlay?adtype=pla&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KEQjwyozABRDtgPTM0taCrKsBEiQATk6xDkeDsY6vQX1Pnj8zGPWFkjp1BZ9Nak6bOchDYO2hWpQaAiW88P8HAQ http://www.parkettkaiser.de/epages/62324980.sf/?Currency=GBP&Locale=en_GB&ObjectPath=/Shops/62324980/Products/EGG_K_485991/SubProducts/STK_EGG_K_485991-0001&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal&gclid=Cj0KEQjwyozABRDtgPTM0taCrKsBEiQATk6xDtcpJ4g44V7_zi4jbobK3RX-ZRUTm1LMjEQckA660H8aAtH58P8HAQ

Thank you all, it's really useful to hear your opinions. The sink could move over one space but not really all the way as there'll be a large corner unit up in that corner housing the boiler. We were thinking induction but currently love cooking on gas so can easily swayed there. Alfred - We were planning on going for an oven and small oven/grill for the tower. I love the idea of a boiling water tap but with two small and fearless toddlers I'd be a bit nervous! We do like cooking and tend to spread a fair bit so I am concerned about counter space. The breakfast bar isn't actually that necessary so I wonder whether the whole design would work better without it, leaving a longer stretch of worktop along the sink side?

PIcs would be handy. If it's solid wood ie beech block, then it will just need to get dried out, the whole surface sanded back and then re-oiled. It's a little labour intensive, but not difficult. I'm doing one at the moment as it happens!

I had this myself recently - I ended up I did go with a wooden table - a vintage one with multiple shades so it would still contrast and not look too much/samey. I also put a jute rug beneath mine and once you dress the top with a runner and a plant/vase etc it looks great. Alternatively white always works and I love concrete but expensive - concrete resin - metal can also be a good option - I wouldn't go with glass - I feel it's dated.