Definitely the first one because you can operate it with one had and keep the selector arm at the 'warm' position for convenience. With the second one you have to use two hands to mix the warm and cold. Too fussy (and old fashioned!). It's not a matter of style (both are gorgeous) but ease of function.

I used white 40x15cm tiles in my shower, fixed brick-bond, landscape, and almost black grout. The tiler said it took him longer than usual to make sure it looks neat and it's pristine. Agree with all comments about flooring - I inherited cream floor tiles with cream grout on my ground floor. Horrendous - just don't look too closely :-) x

Coming onto this post a year late! Yes, I too don't really like either of the kitchens chosen and even prefer the contemporary one! But I'm a trad gal at heart and echo some of the comments above about homeliness and character that it gives...

Open plan all the way! How about pinching a little from your bedroom and make your kitchen larger. Then you don't end up with the awkward jut out bit into your living space. Which looks like it doesn't leave enough space for anything much up that end.