Perhaps a colored door if you paint the home grey. Maybe Red? You could simulate a color change on door by hanging something over the door that is the color like a tablecloth or piece of fabric. If you search houzz for" grey homes", you can see what others have done. My home is painted Cape Cod Grey with white trim and it has been very easy to live with for years. I have a dark grey roof.

We are US citizens who have permanently relocated to New Zealand. We love this country and intend to grow old here. Our only complaint is the state of housing here - it is extremely expensive, the quality is poor, energy efficiency and warmth are rare and the designs on offer do not fit with our slightly traditional American sensibilities. There is also the added problem that I am a little bit allergic to most things that are found in modern home construction - so I really need a "healthy home". I am a fan of the "not too big" approach to design. We are not after a "McMansion", in fact we would like the smallest possible home, while still giving myself, my husband and our growing son the spaces we need. What I do want is a bit of character, natural light and architectural variety, but it must also be efficient, comfortable, healthy and most of all affordable. A building plot here will cost us about what a middle class family in the US would spend on a fully finished house, so it doesn't leave much for conventional building. So what I am trying to find out is, are there any companies (either in NZ or, if not, some place that would ship to NZ) that can offer us a turn-key home that meets our needs and can be finished for around $150k NZD + land? Thanks.

It sounds lovely. The ceiling will be more than suitable for a transitional style. I think the wainscoting would also be fine but as I'm cautious I'd be adding after I'd lived there for a while. It does seem more traditional than transitional. On the other side I'd love the bead boarding in the hall.

Thanks for your comments everyone. We've taken your advice (Luke and NH) and changed the island to a rectangle (1200 x 3000). We lose one breakfast bar seat but gain storage and dining room space plus it shortens the distances from the island to the cooktops. It also removes the need for a corner carousel. We're much happier with this result. Dairy_maid, we've done what you suggested and walked through some common tasks. Overall it works reasonably well although we may keep some coffee spoons and butter knives in the scullery drawers for morning toast and coffee. We've also invested in a "silent" rangehood which has the motor on the outside of the house behind the fridge and we've upgraded the scullery sink to one that is 600 x 400 (internal size). Fabrication starts tomorrow. Woohoo. Once again, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. The design has been significantly improved with your input.