If you want to paint, paint. I think I'd agree with the people who suggest professional re spraying though unless you love diy and love the idea of being able to change the colour yourself relatively quickly. I recently painted a dresser (heavily stained and varnished wood, nowhere near as nice as yours) and a chest of drawers (bog standard orange pine) and unless you can take the wood right back it takes coats and COATS and a lot of patience to get a good finish. It is worth it though! Personally, I'd go for a greyish blue on the bottom half, White worktops, and paint the uppers the same white as the tiles (there's nothing intrinsically wrong with them, a classic choice that won't date). Put in a steel splashback behind the cooker (it should be possible to fit over tiles) to tone with your handles and a hard wearing natural fibre rug on the floor to break up the dark grey. A few wood accessories and the usual bits and pieces to finish.

It's wooden for me! Aluminium are great for being practical but you can get some really hard-wearing wooden ones, too!

Painting is a very affordable option, we have painted many kitchens and it really does transform the room. Pure and Original Classico is very robust and gives a chalky finish which can be waxed if desired.No need to prime saving time. The colour choices are fabulous, pop over to www.pure-original.com for the full choice of colours. If you would like a colour chart please just let me know Sue

LED strips for low level cupboard/island plinths have their merits in showcasing themselves, however aren't necessary if the space already houses good lighting from overhead lights or natural lighting. However, using under cabinet lighting underneath wall units works particularly well when the main lighting isn't required and the occupants wish to have a dimmer atmosphere. They can also serve the purpose of providing necessary light for worktops when being used for cooking etc. www.pwjarchitects.com