Jonathan, I actually really like your proposed downstairs layout and it makes better use of the space and flows really nicely. Thanks. I think you've solved my downstairs dilemma! The upstairs plan is really interesting, I'm going to chew on it for a bit? I will post a pic from my phone to see what you think? Thank you.

Thank you for all your responses. My preference is matching splash back to the bench-tops. The trouble is the size of these laminate splash back comes in are 3000mm x 600mm or 1500mm x 1210 mm - I will require at-least 3100mm by approx 695 mm (h) as all units are set a little bit higher due to the minimum requirements for gas hob clearance. I opted all units to be set higher as I wanted streamlined look hence I am looking at a minimum of 2 joins. Would 2 joins on a laminate splash back look okay? Or would it be too obvious. ( I will of course ensure the joining material glue or whatever is called is matched to the laminate colour?) Thank you

I’m struggling to decide what colour aluminium windows to choose. We plan to replace all our windows and doors with aluminium flush casement ones (veering towards either Origin or Stellar windows at the moment), but can only afford to replace the rear of the house for time being. The style of each window would be similar to now with a top opener/skylight, but below that a 50/50 split casement window (since we're replacing, we now have to have an opening that meets fire safety requirements). Our house is pebble dash and currently painted magnolia which I hate. The plan is to repaint the render white as that is in keeping with the rest of the street and my other half is not keen on a coloured render. I think however that white windows with white render would just “disappear” and as our house has little in the way of architectural features back or front, the window style is the only way we can add any character. We've rejected modern grey windows as we think they may date, but have looked at both black frames, black frames with a white opening casement (window) and less dramatically white windows and frames with a black sill. The house is 1920s so incorporating black into the look would be in keeping. I’ve attached photos of the rear of our house, plus examples of all the ideas above that I’ve found online. (ignore the window features like leaded lights etc, these examples are just for the colours of the frames/window and sills). Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. I've attached a photo of the front of our house as well for info, although we don't plan to replace these windows for a year or so. On a separate note, we plan to enlarge the window in the single storey rear extension on the bottom right of the photo, by dropping the sill down so that we can have a window seat inside overlooking our garden as it's a lovely spot for reading/relaxing. I’d like it to be a fixed frame window without any openers (we have French doors on the side of the extension and we never use the current top openers in the window anyway) but I wonder if it would look odd given the rest of the windows will have top openers or dummy ones. Or is it better to just go for it and make a statement with a large fixed frame feature window? Would welcome some advice on this too. Thanks

My kitchen is painted a duck egg blue too. I have cream units, oak worktops and a white ceramic sink. I agree with colourhappy to get the kitchen fitted, fit the worktop and sink then look at painting the walls, although your wall colour is soft and will probably go well. I’d go for a white worktop, with veining if you want some pattern, then go for a white sink. Black just wouldn’t go with the soft colours and they never look clean, especially if you have hard water. Although I love my duck egg walls I’m going to paint them F&B Oval Room Blue, which is a darker version. Just fancy a change! This is a corner of my kitchen.