Hi there, I would definitely go for glass & not tiles. Glass is much easier to keep clean! As for colours, if you have French grey units you could look at a slightly iridescent silver which would compliment well. Be careful with some colours if you are going to be a bit bolder as they will reflect & alter the appearance of the French grey on the cabinets. Get some samples & look at them in different areas under the units - the corners will look darker/lighter depending on natural light & if you have recessed lighting under the units.

Chandra, No problem. Do you have room either side of the windows for a valence? I do like the idea but it would depend on the style and design. With the shelves. I like the idea but it depends on the style of kitchen. Looking at the unit fronts I think this will be a good idea. I would probably do blinds (a little higher then needed to give the illusion of more height) and then the shelf a little higher to fill the gap. If you were my client I would need to play around with some renders to see how cluttered and heavy they would make the space look with the dark cupboards and your lighting choice. With splash back again it would depend on the style and the accessories being placed with in the space. I would keep it light though. Possibly glass to add a little reflection. Minnie is correct though - if you have an up-stand, it's probably best to paint the walls instead of a splash back. A nice big island with breakfast bar would fit the space nicely. We look forward to the finishing pics. All the best, Gina

Thanks to all who offered advice. The samples arrived and the space invader fabric was our favourite. None of the cube patterns were quite right. Do you think i could skip lining fabric since it is already so thick? I think it might be too bulky for a blind with lining too. The other thing I wanted is some general styling advice. I don't know whether I'm going to be able to pull off the look I was originally going for and i keep getting sidetracked by other things I also like. My original idea was a contemporary classic kitchen with a bit of an edge. So we have light grey shaker doors on bottom, then handleless white slab on top. Flooring probably wood effect herringbone vinyl. Walls will be off white and backsplash behind job will be very pale neutral zellige tiles. Handles will be more industrial style, I like quite a few from dowsing & Reynolds, probably in bronze so quite dark. Then there will be a built in bench with dark blue cushion on the seat and across the back. Table I would like something mid or dark wood and contemporary but I've also liked mid century style ones I've seen. And chairs are undecided but maybe black. Worktops are marble effect Quartz (white with grey veining) and an upstand and sink is undermount stainless steel. I have already bought pendants for above the dining table, they are patterned glass with a black ceiling cord. I can't tell whether I'm going to be able to make this work or just end up with an odd collection of styles which don't quite work and feel disappointed with it.

Thank you both for responding. I really appreciate it Sonia Im not sure abut a very pale colour especially on the island which is really dark grey. I think it would be high maintenqnce to keep looking clean and a bit too much of a contrast? If you have found any similar I would love to see. I have looked but nothing that grabs me Marylee I put the worktop sample upside down sorry! I know what you mean re more wood though I have seen lots of examples where people have done it successfully. I guess it would have to match exactly. It's giving me such a headache!!