Second post on this question, but different name (forgot my old log in details) We have an 80's house, lots of timber - beams and ceilings, full length glass windows (mission brown frames that look black unless standing next to them) and reddish/orange brick tiles. All the timber wall panelling (diagonal and horizontal) have been painted hogs bristle quarter. I had intended to rip up the brick tiles for something more modern when we redo our kitchen, but on reflection they give the house a wonderful "feel". I visited a couple of displays with the grey modern look tiles I was thinking of using but for some reason I can't envision them in our house. The kitchen / living area is partially open plan with a change of flooring and ceiling as the main deliniator. It goes from tiles to cream carpet. While the ceiling goes from timber to plaster board. The carpet will be going and I am thinking of doing something like the attached photo. My questions:

a. is it OK to have slightly different colour/shapes in the living area or should I try and match them?

b. which pale "warm" grey laminiate would you recommend for kitchen cabinets; and

c. what sort of colour smart stone benchtop should I be looking for?

existing pictures of tiles and living area

Standing in one spot looking into dining/kitchen area (the wall on the right is going)

Turning around the looking from dining into living area.