I think we are going to use the white subway tile to keep the budget down as I priced new tiles and it would blow out the budget. Really like the contrast grout idea to add a bit of texture and pattern. My partner is a builder and he loves the reclaimed wood shelf idea as we have a lot of spear old wood left over from the renovation. We have made a dinning table and fire place mantel from it already so it would tie in really well.

I love the general concept of beams and adding beams, but in this space with the ceiling as it is in the drawing, I think adding beams at lower levels makes things too busy architecturally, considering the soffitt and all of the other planes, angles, and openings.

We are in the process of planning a new home in the lower South Island of NZ....... pretty cool. I love higher ceilings. How can I ensure that heat stays down and keeps us warm. Interested to hear Robyn

I think like you -- I wouldn't spend $10k to make new cabinets just to centre things . A couple of 'thinking out loud' thoughts -- is it worth adding another layer of wallboard -- I'm thinking ply rather than gib -- then tiling over it ? It may stiffen everything , and ply has less flex , and as you are tiling over it , the finish doesn't matter too much , and the fact it would add say 18mm to the wall depth would be hidden by the fact that its to be tiled anyway . You may have to add a 'wider' facing around the doorway so it hides the extra thickness , but relatively easy to do ? Or is it worth looking at changing to a solid door ? Yes , I know it cuts space a bit , but depending whats on , say , the left hand wall , it may work , and its another way of stiffening up the wall , although it would need a builder .