Hi Helen. I thought I might share photos of my kitchen- which happens to be on a farm- as the layout is very similar to yours. We planned to do white subway tiles (and still might as we are just doing the bathrooms with the tiles and will see what we have left...) but used clear coated cement board as a temporary measure and find it quite serviceable as we haven't finished the kitchen. We did the open shelves first and then added bits and pieces of shelving afterwards. These are white washed Douglas Fir. The shelves just below the temporary ply bench top (going to do polished concrete benchtops later) are lined with galvanised tin. The lazy Susan in the corner cupboards are really handy! Hope these photos might be of interest. It's a very serviceable kitchen work in progress!

Undecided to go through with the final concept floor plan, for a modern new build home. Stunning views alongside the MB, Kitchen, Dining and Lounge is why these spaces are situated where they are. Can anyone point out any potential flaws or improvements? I have been leaning on the idea of swapping the kitchen with the bedroom, to situate the kitchen within a direct indoor, outdoor flow concept. But this will compromise the current kitchen views.

Ideas for lighting in an open plan kitchen/lounge plus bathroom and ensuite

Our clients were a young couple with a growing family, who wanted to modernise their home and incorporate the kitchen with the outside entertaining area, to create more of an indoor-outdoor flow. They had their own builder and contractors who removed the wall but hired All About Kitchens to work with them to design the kitchen of their dreams. Before: We created a sleek handless kitchen, with push to open bottom drawers, an integrated dishwasher, black stainless steel sinks and gooseneck taps, and negative detail 20mm Caesar Stone benchtop. They had visited our showroom in Petone, where they were inspired by a similar display but with integrated lighting. After: They liked the idea of breaking up the kitchen colour by adding the woodgrain look and have incorporated pull-out fittings in the corner for ease of access, oil pull near the stove, and built-in bin units. Their preference was drawers over cupboards, and to fully utilise the drawer height we used internal drawers for cutlery and utensils. After: They required a large walk-in pantry with a sliding door that would also house the microwave. These clients have been great to work with and have been very patient with some of the supply delays due to Covid. They are so happy with the final result and it's such a timeless design that they can enjoy it for a lifetime. Check out the entire projecthere!