dust - that looks amazing! The grey really works, great choice! Love the island - it looks like the exact right size for the space. I'm so glad your builder is back in a good mood again, too, it does make things feel awful when there is an atmosphere you could cut with a knife.
bax - how lovely of your builders to do all those extra jobs! And time-saving too! Your place must be so nearly done now.
caspiana - hahahahaha! I will henceforth always think of you as fending off those fearsome Midlands grizzlies. 
I once had a conversation with someone on here who had actually been attacked by a polar bear, which she ended up shooting. Such an awesome story! And I say that as a vegetarian. 
citroen - I've not been to Porto, really want to go. Apparently there are some amazing antiques places there? I have friends in Lisbon so have been over there a fair bit and am always amazed at how lovely it is in winter. I went in mid November a couple of years ago, and the weather was absolutely perfect.
On the bath issue - my question would be: do you like baths? I think people put a lot of emphasis on re-sale when doing up a house, and there's this discourse that says "Oh, well you must have at least 2 bathrooms, and you must have a bath and blah blah blah". That's sensible advice if you're doing up to sell. But if you're going to live there for some time, it's kind of a shame, in a way. Why have something in your space that you don't use or want, just because other people one day might want it? If you don't like baths and don't use one, don't have one!
However, if you do like baths, another option might be a Japanese style bath - you know, the ones that have a smaller footprint but are deeper? They are surprisingly comfy to use, and would give you a half-way house.
The decorators are here! And the builders are working outside, finishing the cladding.