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 :-)

Thank you SUN STUDIO London, David & Laura - I will check out the websites & also the bespoke cutting options. Daisy, preferably walnut or wenge, whichever shade compliments the dark feet on our sofas the best. Not too fussed about 30mm or 40mm to be honest (we were quoted for 40mm). That is interesting what your hubby advised as we do have quartz already! I’d never heard of end grain worktops before colourhappy but see they are very hardwearing &, like you say, the join wouldn’t be noticeable. Prefer the look of a full stave worktop :)

This is very basic bitch but I visted Ikea a few weeks ago and they had some BEAUTIFUL kitchen islands - definitely check out their website/showroom pics! There are some with intelligent lighting too which I just wanted to take home there and then!