Thanks all for your comments. Im not really keen to do the planking throughout this whole area. It takes me long enough to vac this whole area let alone mop as well. Would like a bit of carpet somewhere in these areas. The lounge room would be definitely carpeted. Any other suggestions welcome.

Have you thought a bout a color instead of white. I love soft gray/ greens for a true neutral that usually works in every kind of light.Opaline and Sea Salt are two you could check out.

West Elm I would select a black finish over the staircase. What you decide to do in the kitchen and dining room is your call. https://www.westelm.com/shop/lighting/pendants/?cm_type=gnav I like these bubble glass pendants and think they could be used in the kitchen and the chandelier version in the dining area. This has to be your choice. There's just too much out there to select from.

I think it depends on what else you are choosing such as the cabinetry, the counters, your furniture, and your overall style. Can you put up kitchens looks that you want your kitchen to look like that your builder will accomodate? Also if your builder will permit it, it is worth it to extend your cabinetry up to the ceiling. It not only looks odd to have that empty space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling, it is a huge dust catcher, and most importantly, you really need that cabinet space in an open kitchen when you are losing those walls on which you would have had more cabinetry and additional storage space.