Beautiful table. I don't particularly like the metal/cane chairs. Too 'light' in appearance. Do you use the chairs by the window? I think they are too close to the table and they are too big in comparison. Could be the angle of the photos though, may look different in real life. I don't think your ceiling is too low to hang a pendant above the table. How do you change the table position? If you only turn it around, you can still keep it centered under a light. If you move it to the wall it's another story of course. The two paintings above the console should be hung lower and I prefer them on one level. You can add table lamps on the console and a floor lamp in the corner between the windows. If you use the two chairs, I would add a table in between and angle the chairs a bit. I'll see if I can find you other dining chair options.

New Zealand! You live in paradise! Porch paint is specially made paint for wooden porches or decks. Its not a stain but an actual hard wearing & weather resistant paint that allows the wood texture to show through. Its safe for indoor or outdoor use. It is self priming & self sealing. I have used porch paint for wood paneling & kitchen cabinets & when remodeling a staircase formerly covered with carpet. It comes oil based or water based acrylic. I prefer oil based for a glossy easy to clean finish for a wooden table top. You may check your local home improvement/hardware store or paint store. I use Glidden Porch Paint. Takes me only 2 coats for white & the oil based goes on easily with a roller. Dries quickly too. Good luck!

We have had a vinyl lined pool for 15+ years - you are making a good choice. They need no maintenance or resurfacing etc. Ours is an Aqualux liner in Caribbean. http://www.aqualuxpool.com.au/colour-range/ This colour is just the right amount of blue/green to sparkle and shimmer, look cool and inviting, but dark enough to gather and retain the sun's heat. I ran a swim school for many of those 15 years, and needed a pool that could take the knocks of hundreds of children each week, and look like something they wanted to dive into. Any lighter and the pool would look too cold, and darker looked scary! I have friends who chose the darker colours for their heat retention properties but the pools don't look as inviting, and algae builds up quicker but is harder to notice until the levels are quite high, so needing more chemicals to control/eliminate.

Thanks Luke and Hayley. As it happens my tiler has now finished the job and we decided is that the area is unlikely to get damp given the location, and therefore the quality of the paint finish with silicon join to benchtop would work fine and look the best. It has come together looking really good. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Regards, Kerry