Hi Catherine, You have a lovely open plan kitchen and lounge, but as you say, it lacks punch and interest. Since you're stuck with the stainless steel kitchen for the time being, you need to work with it and have some fun. A symmetrical arrangement of stainless steel shelves either side of the splash back for the cooker would allow you to put up interesting bottles, plants, china, etc. What about painting this wall a bright colour like Seville Orange from Crown and the other walls in natural white. You could also paint the base of the island in the Seville Orange. In the seating area, use the orange colour and some others like plum or blue-grey in fabric patterns, have cushions made up for the seating area. Also an area rug large enough for the front feet of your sofas and the coffee table to sit on with colour would brighten up this area. It's unfortunate that the TV is blocking a French window. Can it be moved somewhere else, perhaps the bay if the bottom shutters are never opened? Instead of half of the bay window having plantation shutters, I would recommend a second upper row, which could be folded back or, if you don't need coverage for privacy on the upper windows, have an interesting, colourful valance. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=valance+and+plantation+shutters+for+a+bay+window&biw=1516&bih=839&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIzdu7xO-FyAIVh0gUCh1aigXI&dpr=0.95#tbm=isch&q=valance++for+a+bay+window&imgrc=SjLxqYYGnQmhlM%3A

Ok, so I appreciate that these two are not easy to compare. There must be a way however of testing them both fairly and get results that give the consumer an idea of comparison. "..we extract at the point the vapour is produced 100% effectively". I take it with this you mean the extraction is 100% effective and not the vapour produced is 100% effective. What does "100% effectively" mean? It seems to suggest that the cooking smells are completely emitted. This is surely disingenuous or at the least misleading.

We have a Novy Pure’line built into the ceiling above our island hob in our open plan room and are happy with it. It‘s powerful but also quiet. Also a very discreet design. Westin Stratus was another contender which may be more well known in the UK - Westin are very helpful on the phone if you have queries. If you have a limited ceiling void (eg in an original period building rather than an extension) you may need the Westin Stratus Compact. We do have an electric opening skylight right behind the extractor fan which we use if frying something particularly smelly or smoky - would that be an option?

Hi, the plan shows you how to decorate everything. It shows where to put the furniture. The ceilings look too high and the rooms are too square so add softness and ground the space. Use oversized pictures and floor lamp and plants to play with height and texture and to ground the space.