Hi, thanks for the replies. Like expected, the comments make a lot of sense. Minnie101: Personally I’m not too fussed about the open plan / locking away the mess dilemma. I’m firmly in the camp of ‘if the wife wants it, then that’s what we’ll be getting’. We’ve spoken about it, and she’s decided that she’s right J Great shout on bringing the breakfast bar in a bit, I’ll need to get the tape measure out to see what the width around the table would be. I’d completely forgot about allowing space for bar-stools. Yes, the small piece of wall in the centre of the kitchen is structural, that’s where the old outside wall was and the extension built (my assumption without seeing old plans, as I know that it’s been extended, and that side is where the extension is). It’s actually been squared off into a false chimney / alcove with a light in it. Looks really nice with a big vase of natural grasses in it. I’ll get a picture when I’m home. The study will be used as (currently in discussion) my ‘man cave’. I want to turn it into a music room (I have 4 guitars, amps, effect pedals, mic stands etc). I want to put my nice stereo in there, a tele up on the wall, and computer. The Mrs seems to agree with this in order for me to tuck myself away and not annoy everyone else in the house – on one condition, that I put a large cupboard/chest in there for the additional kids toys so we have a place to tidy them away, and a cabinet of some sort for the paperwork/files/stuff that we generally have lying around. It should be big enough to do all things and keep everyone happy. Also, hadn’t really thought about the casual bench dining against the wall – now there’s an idea worth thinking about !! Thanks

Thank you guys for your advice took it on bored. Gonna paint the bay eventually called rock salt creamy with slight bit of grey. The windows look so much better. Then think the drive needs to be on the list after someone had an accident with the wall.

Hi Ruth, do you mean the Stone Grey and/or Concrete Grey? I was in the window shop today and spied a sample lying on the floor. It was a mid grey with a browny quality which I really liked and brought it home to put next to my bricks. Unfortunately, the person in the showroom couldn’t tell us what colour it was, it didn’t match any of her swatches and the MD has gone to Australia on holiday. It seemed very much like the Stone/Concrete colour. I feel like I’ve been stopped in my tracks just as I was about to commit to Quartz Grey. 🤔

Hello Ruth, I have worked on some perfectly beautiful houses where the colour didn't match. However, I am not a fan of black inside and white outside as the contrast is too much. I love the grey on the outside and would definitely match those. It adds continuity to the exterior which is really important for the overall look. Your kitchen colours are lovely and the Anthracite/black looks really lovely with the black touches and the interior elements that you have shown in the images. If possible I would do the grey outside and black inside, which yes, would look fine and the contrasts wouldn't be too much to stand out. Thanks, Gina