Hi Travis and SoYoung - thanks for mentioning the fireplace.....I was thinking that I would keep it simple with a wood shelf over it and a large piece of Art but I now think it might be a bit lost. Would love some ideas as it needs to work with the built-ins which are slightly domineering. Also, Liam_Boyle - agree re the unbalance. The TV will be staying but I have a lovely coffee table and 2 identical sofas coming so I'm hoping to lay out symmetrically in the room. Will keep 1 of the chairs. Hope this will balance up. Thanks.

Hi nick. Thanks. Yes, i have come to that realisation after being told it by everyone i speak to! So looking at hedging or other ideas for the side fences then shrubs / plants / flowers for the main parts. I'd be interested innyour ideas. On the other side if the fence, if you mean the road side, the footpath is right up against the fence. I'd say the footpath is maybe 1.5m wide, maybe a bit more.

Hi - its such a big and important project, i really think you need to sit down with a good kitchen designer and fully tease out your requirements and then look at every possible layout option. by sitting down with someone, they will draw each possible layout to scale in front of you and that way you will be able to see the pros and cons of each design. it makes decision making much easier best of luck with the project Barry

We are in the process of renovating our kitchen, including knocking through into the dining room and adding french doors from the dining room to the garden. It's west facing and doesn't get huge amounts of sunlight. I'm trying to figure out what to do about lighting. We have 3 pendants that will go over the peninsula but otherwise no lighting decisions - although as we are redoing the ceiling, recessed spots seem like a good idea. The kitchen cabinets will be pale grey high gloss, with an oak worktop. Other than the oven cabinet and the freezer/fridge/pantry wall, there are no high cabinets. My main issues are: where to place spots centre light in dining area: we tend to move the table depending on season/events/mood so don't necessarily want to be stuck with a pendant light that only works best directly above the table do I need spots interspersed with the pendants over the peninsula (they are heavy ceramic so will likely not cast much ambient light). It will be my main baking/food prep area so light will be important. (General plan of kitchen - not entirely to scale but gives a good idea of plans. About 30 sq m in total - the long wall with window and french doors is about 7 m)