Hi Laura, thanks for posting. Wow, it looks amazing! Amazing how much difference the floor, splashback and mirror make, it's transformed. Well done. I'm struggling to like a splashback in my new kitchen (even though I chose it) so was looking for inspiration - my partner just doesn't get it and will probably leave me if I even dare to mention changing it :-)

Thanks for your advice. Yes I plan on getting a few samples of ceramic wood effect tile. Have also been looking at VLT. Not sure about the blue. While it does draw on the colour in the hallway I'm just not that into a pale blue. Would prefer a dark blue which might work also. There is a good amount of daylight in the kitchen. I think the colouring in the photo below is quite good for the kitchen units. We plan on having a tall dresser which could be in that dark green with the remaining units in grey. That vinyl herringbone or parquet seems to be a popular current style choice. Not sure if it will clash with the hallway though.

Personally I think you will have too much going on with the two colour units and the *quite different* colour choice for the backsplash. You need to decide where you want the focus to be? on your units? on your island or on your backsplash? trying to make them all sing it's only going to confuse the eye. Also will you still love the pink tile in 2 years? what about 5years? Kitchens tend to look dated at around 10 year mark so maybe try and ask if you can see yourself loving them long term. If the answer is yes I love them then you've got your perfect backsplash choice.

I think your kitchen looks timeless, but the idea of dark handles to match the chair legs would pull it together and the Roman blind idea is also better. The cabinets could be painted, but it’s important to have an excellent job done, otherwise it could easily be a bad decision. I’d want to have my bin in a cupboard too. The idea of a bigger glass door would be great, if you aren’t going to extend in the future, otherwise not worth the expense. It might be good to have a cheerful cloth on the table, that echoes the Roman blind and possibly a rug under it, which would zone the area, but it seems a “busy” view into the hall, would it be possible to have milky glass doors to keep the two areas out of view from each other, without loosing light? The paint colours on the walls could be changed to zone the dining area from the working area too and more pictures/hanging plates always cheer up bare walls, but that’s just my views, whatever you do, it’s your home, nota show house and you’ve got to live in it, so whatever you choose, will be right for you.