Just to clarify, you have presented 3 versions. I believe the consensus is the original version with the wood grain ( linen grain) cabinetry works the best and is most updated. The only thing that is out of place are the cabinets or "shelves" on both sides of the range hood. If this is what you need to find a solution too. I would suggest only experimenting with rendering options for these two cabinets( or shelves). This cabinet ties in all the other hard surfaces. The white is not working. It just adds another element. The black is a little dated.

With your original pictures - I agree with larger rug. But I don't agree with comments suggesting the rooms are monochromatic. They are lively indeed. I think you are just missing some accessories! Art work on the empty walls - even just a single large dramatic piece is in order. In the bedroom on the white wall, in the living space behind the sofa, in the greenish bedroom behind the two beds. Those are instant areas where you can improve. But I think your spaces are lovely and well put together. Also I agree with the comment about table lamps - some of those would really add something, and your coffee table looks so empty - maybe just one gorgeous bowl, or stack some books. These rooms are 90% done in my opinions, just need a few finishing touches. Some of my rooms come out like this because the clients are not willing to pay for those last few finish items or feel they can do that part themselves...

I think this piece is quite lovely. It appears that your couch and chairs have dark wood so I would be tempted to stain or paint the buffet to match these items. Changing the large modern handles to smaller antique ones might help to make it less bulky looking and tie in with the other items in your room.. I like the idea of putting a mirror in the upper door, however much as I like the criss cross effect in the sample pictures, adding more detail may conflict with the curves in your sofa and chairs. You could look for a decorative detail that has more subtle style. As for placement, it might go on the short wall where you have a bench or even on the wall where you have your table with two chairs, one on each side to balance the look.

I am so happy to see you here! I will have to go back and see if i can retrieve my posts... thought I would make them into a little book for my daughter, with photos. Quick run-down on the bathroom (not travels, no time) - The kitchen has a rather elegant sliding door with beveled glass panels. Painted white, since this was the original colour. GD's new bathroom has the doors I had picked earlier; i thought of polishing them but decided sprayed automobile paint (on a resin primer) would wear better. Especially since it is such a small bathroom, and she is so splashy. I have this finish in my kitchen and it has lasted 15 years now. A tad chipped here and there, but only needs a wipe down once a week. Same finish for the balcony doors, also split like the bathroom. We have a new wardrobe, a study table with built-in shelves, and a small chest of drawers for her odds and ends. I want to re-tile the tiny balcony, more as a little statement. Currently we are looking at Portuguese tiles, though I did think a mosaic with a funky cat might be nice. Let me see the costing. The room will be painted a neutral adobe, with bright white woodwork and an off-white ceiling. This means she can go wild with cushions and covers. Other changes in the flat; We have changed the glass in the master bedroom and living room from small cramped panes to a single pane for each section with a 1" bevel all round. Doubles the cost of the glass, but looks so elegant! The air-conditioning is being re-located. The compressors were all mounted in the bedroom and living room balconies, which looked terrible and meant the balconies (very narrow, only 30" deep) couldn't be used for anything. Not even plants. So they are being moved so that the compressors can be mounted at the rear of the building. two down, one to go. Now we can put in some nice plants, fishtail palms etc. The kitchen counter on one side came out intact and will be reused elsewhere. I am planning overhead storage, cupboards, and a draining cupboard for plates and glasses. Right now there is no dish washer, though a place is earmarked, but for now I will put in a cupboard with steel racks for cups, glasses and plates, all hidden behind pressed glass doors. This is all in the planning stage.... Pictures in a little while, they are mostly on my ipad and don't transfer well to the mac. They come without numbers... so I have to rename the or something. Somebody tell me how to do this!