You should have a minimum of 18" between countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets to allow for appliances as well as enough clearance for food prep. Base cabinets will end up with a height around 36"ht with the countertop. Bar height is usually around 42". Upper cabinets can be 30" in height or taller depending on your ceiling height and whether or not you are taking them up to a ceiling or soffit. Make sure to adjust for crown moulding on the cabinets or wall.

You are going to have to leave your comfort zone on this one. Walnut is "brown", you have "pink" as a counter top. I would suggest going with another version of the colours already in the room. you have gray/beige and white. I would hesitate going white...but it can be done. You can move into the grays and be very happy (it would look very modern) or you can move into a beige that holds a hint of pink in it (not pink...but a blush of warmth). Or you could go really wonky and add in something like a brushed stainless steel look to the cabinets and have it go "space age". There are specs of blue/gray in this counter top. The next think to look at is an "ashwood" or dark gray wood presentation that has some blue in it. It would lighten the space yet still add drama that dark cabinetry offers.

Please Read, 1) Following are the photos of my Mumbai apartment (10th floor) kitchen. Water heater and water purifier were already (haphazardly) installed by my contractor before I came to occupy the apartment. Answer : u can shift the purifier above sink , inside the cabinet which will be made by carpenter. 2) We now have to install cabinets above the counter. ( you can ) no problem. 3) I want to get the PNG gas pipes installed to replace the existing cylinders. Answer : This work you can do after carpentry work. 4) When I saw other homes it appears I not only need pipes but some ghastly looking meters/ valves etc. Answer : meter will be hidden inside above cabinet toward right side and pipes will be inside the hob side counter will transfer through the balcony wall to meter again. 1) The gas pipes will come from the wall next to the balcony doors. The sink is just next to this wall. Will it be possible to install the pipes and meters below the cooking counter or is that not practical? - - Don't know what are all the practical considerations. Safety, access to meter to take readings, location of the sink? ). everything is possible.. 2) If under the counter installation is not practical, where should the pipes and other boxes/meters go? as mentioned above.. 3) Is there any practical solution to clean up the wall with water purifier and heater? (please note the kitchen has a 6" thick beam on the top of the wall above the counter, also 6" think pillars one in the corner and the other large one near the microwave as shown. Additionally it has a protrusion on the ceiling, probably this houses the drain for the apartment above me. ( for above apartment kitchen nahani trap chamber it is... )

Totally doable as long as the island is not too bulky. And of course if the circulation space around the island is at least 3'-0" wide. You don't need too much space to move around in a kitchen because you should be able to pick up a hot dish and put it down on another surface without having to move too much. 12'x14' is a large size and a work island would possibly make the space more practical to use. In the pictures attached, the work island is only 2' wide but 4' feet long