I have spent a fortune in Laura Ashley and I have found that the quality isn't in their items. An oak dining chair broke the first time it was used; knob to the tv cabinet within a year came off and now regularly needs to be fixed; a Langham knowle sofa looks exhausted although it has been sat on no more than a dozen times and wallpaper within 6 months was peeling off the walls - despite using LA wallpaper paste. I have now moved and have redecorated again and the decorator warned, WARNED me about using LA paint as it is impossible to paint with and get a good finish. Most of the items were bought for my mother with the exception of the sofa and she is in her late 70's and is bird like she is so thin. LA has great style - so do what we did when my mum down sized and needed to buy more appropriate furniture - we used the catalogues for design ideas and shopped elsewhere. If you don't believe me have a look on Ebay for LA sofas and chairs - some are being sold in pristine condition (LA does have spectacular discounts for shop floor furniture on sale) and the stuff that is used... I must also mention that this is going back 3 years - things may have changed but now that I know about this website I would only source from here - afterall, who wants a look that everyone has, on here and sites such as pinkapple, notonthehighstreet, Etsy etc one can find truly beautiful and unique pieces that are timeless/ on trend and original.

Kitchen design looks great! I'm pretty sure we can offer some expertise on Lighting for your consideration. Firstly totally agree with you partner that a grid of recessed light looks a tad boring. If you do opt for recessed a more modern and practical way to use them would be to use them in a row against your high cabinets, just in front of them. This will not only show off your featured cabinets but also bring some much needed light to the ovens and in cupboards. I'd urge that you do have lights above the peninsular. Take your point that you don't want to block out the view or features but smaller pendants in a row are good, https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/original-btc-fin-natural-white-bone-china-pendant-with-braided-flex-p11330 maybe glass so they are not to heavy and solid looking. https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/the-lighting-collection-empire-ceiling-pendant-with-antique-brass-suspension-and-clear-glass-shade-p10433 If you looked at the website? You may notice we are running a sale just over Easter weekend, if timing is right for your project, it could be a good time to bag a bargain! If not sign up for the newsletters as we'll let you know when there's promotions or discounts available. Also you will get a FREE quarterly magazine sent to you inbox. This is the copy of the latest https://issuu.com/lighting-uk/docs/into_the_light_spring_2017/1?ff=true&e=8047055/45589588 You'll find lots of inspiration in here. If you just fancy chatting it through you project with one of our experts, we have a chat function on the website LightingCompany.co.uk which is really simple to use or email sales@lightingcompany.co.uk As far as positioning task lights should go above tables countertops etc. If you have recessed place them just in front of you tall cabinets groups of 3 or 5 in a straight row. If you can switch different circuits separately, if you can't use dimmer switches where possible. Stick to a common theme between you lights e.g.: same colour metal or similar style but they do not need to be all the same. In a larger open plan area different lighting help things look interesting and zone the area's. Above you table you'll need a light but if the light hangs in front of the TV that will not be so good, reflections will drive you crazy. You didn't mention ceiling height but we do have lights for the tallest and shortest ceilings. Do speak to us, we do so much that may interest you, we have thousands of options and can even make lights in your choice of colour, maybe to match the colour of your kitchen? What an exciting project and a chance to be creative with you lighting, you are doing the right thing thinking about alternative to a grid of spotlights. Did this help or not really? Good Luck with it all and remember we are happy to help. Contact us.

Hi all, Thank you very much for being honest and so helpful. I have quotes from a professional kitchen painter who has requested for the cabinets to first be primed off site, so I contacted someone in a business park, who do all sorts of things on wood, asking them if they would spray prime it. Now I have also got a quote for 'only spray priming' and also 'spray paint to finish'. the spray painting by this business park type of place is nearly half the price of the hand painter, not to forget for him I also need to add cost of spray priming. So it boils down to this: spray paint or hand paint? can someone show me pictures or a link to a spray painted and a hand painted kitchen? Man about the house, I like your spray painted look, is that the finish I can expect from the spray painters? Thanks!

Ivory gloss and a grey floor can be matched with a warmer grey on the walls. It's impossible to give a colour as you'll need to get colour cards and lay them on the flooring. If you're up for a splash of colour then there are all sorts that will go with the ivory and grey. Greens will work, raspberry, mustard, a slate blue, mulberry and the new kid on the block 'blush'...........If you have a peninsula or island you could put black leather bar stools in for something to pick up on the work top, or maybe try and introduce some natural wood to soften the look down a bit.