I like doors with panels and I like the doors to match the base boards and window + door trim (usually white). Zebra wood is very unique looking. I like art and rugs to get the attention in a room, not the doors. However, I came across gorgeous photo that appears to use flat veneer zebra wood. The baseboards are white. The multi-color slate really enhances this zebra color, too. I could not find the gray hue zebra wood. Do you have a photo or link?

Lighting - pendants over the servery bench should be another feature that complements your chosen kitchen surfaces. So whilst I love the copper pendants in picture 1.. They could work depending on the rest of your decor and would be a highlight in a neutral white/timber kitchen = Good! If you choose copper you would complement it with a couple of copper bench top items. These are beautiful! (I collect copper because I love it, my kitchen pendants are silver, I renovated to sell in the next 3-5 years) You will see a picture starting to form in your mind and there is nothing wrong with making a statement with your lighting. I found that when I wasn't sure I would get a very strong sense of what was right and what was wrong for a space, then common sense or passion would determine the outcome! Here are another couple that might work, look her on Houzz under lighting, search pendants, then have fun looking!Timber tones with black or white to complement your cabinets... or Statement white pendants for a bit of quirky fun! Your personality can be reflected in your lighting and accessories creating that point of difference from the predictable white on timber look. Plus don't forget the power of greenery to punctuate the theme!

Thank you everyone for your ideas. We are about to paint the walls an off white - double merino, and thought we might paint the doors and pelmets the same and now after reading your comments I think we will leave the timber beams and paint the ceiling between them the same as the walls, and will consider the bar supports too. What do people think about painting ceilings, doors and walls the same colour?

Two slightly seperate thoughts -- -- V Groove may be hard to clean ? Also , it will look a bit 'homestead' -- I don't know if that look is really right here ? -- I suspect anything too white will not look great -- even the existing kitchen looks too much the same IMO , even allowing for ( or maybe added to by ) the avocado olive . The first thing I noticed was the clock , because of the colours . The plaque above the stove , and the stools , also all add to the existing scheme , as they show imagination as well as colour . The things I dislike are the 2 black hanging lights , and the 'nothing' colour of the spalshback -- whilst they wouldn't really work in a red or orange or yellow while there is that avocado , in a whiter or ( ironically ) a black and white based colour scheme , brighter light shades and a complimentary splashback or tiles ( r / y / o ) would really add . In other words , if you went white upper cupboards , do charcoal lower ones , or charcoal benchtops ( or cedar doors if going for natural wood ) ; then add some more colour to add to the overall look .