Bottom line, a toe kick is to stop you stubbing your toe and get your closer to your worktop counter. If you can fit your foot underneath it in shoes or barefoot while standing at a counter and not stub your toe or hurt your upper foot, you can do it. If you cannot, you will be forced to stand back further at your counter and that will not be comfortable for you in the long run.

The setting is quite tropical, so a darker scheme with white trims has such a tropical holiday feel. You may consider using a concrete face brick for the lower section. This will be modern, and eliminate the need for painting, while still creating contrast with the upper level. Try a colour for the main house like Resene Evolution, or Quarter Evolution, both would be perfect for your style of home. The colour scheme that we recommend for you is our Rainforest Board which includes everything you need to bring the look together! https://www.bodoboards.com.au/collections/paint-concept/products/rainforest-paint-concept We would love to see updates as you go.. its going to be great!

An entire wall of built-in cabinets and hooks and cubbies for your crafting stuff (and perhaps filing-type stuff and printer for the office). Take a good look at what you have and think about how best to organize and store it and what could be displayed to be pretty and what should be hidden behind curtains or doors. A fold down ironing board on a wall or back of a door somewhere would be great. A nice desk and filing cabinet for the office side... or perhaps a great big table in the middle under the window, wide enough to function for both of you facing each other? A nice curtain rod would make a big difference too. Preferably just about floor to ceiling. I'd put a splash of colour on the walls and keep the curtains simple, but you could go vice-versa too. Something like this: [https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/modern-bungalow-phvw-vp~4999540[(https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/modern-bungalow-phvw-vp~4999540)

Led lighting running on both sides of each of the beams - you can buy it in strips. I would go for a bright white but you can even get it in colours and or changing colours. I would also do the same along the floor under the cabinets and perhaps between the upper cabinets and bench top.