Yes, the view was definitely a selling point!! It’s a very special building and a dream come true for us, so it’s important for me that I don’t screw up the interior decor. ........my sleepy bedtime head is thinking about pulling the cream oven out, replacing with the copper oven, painting the bottom units black (I never usually ‘do’ black), using a dark wood countertop and finishing with antiqued mirror splash back and a copper tap. Oh boy....these minor modifications are getting pretty major...

A big thank you all for your ideas and inspiration. I'm going to explore the idea of a flush, push to open door first as I think this enables me to keep the storage but meets my need to hide the clutter and keep clean lines. And yes the wall cupboard at the end is definitely going, there will be no wall level units on the entire run as I have full height larders on the wall opposite. Whilst I like the idea of using the alcove to display my "nicer" things I don't really have a selection of beautiful crockery to show off and I feel like I would end up buying stuff just to fill the space or the clutter would naturally migrate there!! Also the "window" on the other side used to be a window but is now an opening into a dining room extension so there is no way to really balance this with the alcove.

I think you are right to move the kitchen but you are only gaining an extra two feet with the move so the kitchen dimensions and layout seem to be pretty much the same. I notice you have two sets of double doors in very close proximity to each other. Do you think you could do without the double doors in the proposed kitchen? If you replace them with a window you could then bring your kitchen units round to create a U shaped kitchen. You could perhaps put the sink there with views out to the garden.

My understanding is that parquet of this age should not be covered. There may not be any damp proof under floor but it can currently breath. By covering it up with a vinyl / wood etc you are trapping in any moisture which can start to make it warp over time and cause further problems. I would be surprised also if any manufacturer would guarantee their product installed over parquet.