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!

This is where the kitchen is going to be. Where my husband is will be counter top at that height. with a big wide counter top to sit under. on the back wall double door fridge a metre gap. 2 wall ovens then a sliding door where the ladder is. A scullery. Behind my husband to the side of him a sink the cooker then space. Where the big flat plank is on the ground (ish) will be the movable island. you can see a taster of the stone wall which will be on both sides of the entrance hallway, the flooring will look very similar to this http://carpetdiscounters.co.nz/product.aspx?product_id=441 . You may note the steel next to my husband on that side. it also needs to be treated. Thank you very much

The all black kitchen looks scary as. Maybe because there's no lightness in there at all.

Everyone has some valid points and so I would also recommend moving the clock to the kitchen wall and place the wall unit under the mirror. Centre with the table with the additions of some artwork each side if the clock with wooden frames to match the clock. Find a low piece of glass or pottery or a runner to tie in the grey shades. I presume u have a grey lounge suite. Change the lighting as to what was suggested by People Space ARchitects.