Displaying my Penny Souvenirs

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you collect these?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SY7KjAxtxWSVbdJSwS5YwzcIrgXBekqiBjdMnP39MTlt9sA1TsSFzRhNMYComsWyg4lb3cDTDKQ-krwmig8qEk4SItRwqVNu62iDzn0XAiDmucjnwuv6URwxT7HEk6_iBeJEXNTyPnz6/s1600/c398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SY7KjAxtxWSVbdJSwS5YwzcIrgXBekqiBjdMnP39MTlt9sA1TsSFzRhNMYComsWyg4lb3cDTDKQ-krwmig8qEk4SItRwqVNu62iDzn0XAiDmucjnwuv6URwxT7HEk6_iBeJEXNTyPnz6/s400/c398.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://yourdisneyfriend.blogspot.com/2012/02/lesson-of-penny.html">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Obviously I do...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3LSkqYuK-He4zK_CgWV1gUYMLXb_jc3I6nB3k-SVg6F7Zp5Bv5y_DFVdP0SfTiqcinsU-pY40F6tYTrurxitjiKHz9-4TwhXzl2PuMjDhLBg7xWbyp3W3CVH3yteQ5u5-P7Sm7QfH4oq/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3LSkqYuK-He4zK_CgWV1gUYMLXb_jc3I6nB3k-SVg6F7Zp5Bv5y_DFVdP0SfTiqcinsU-pY40F6tYTrurxitjiKHz9-4TwhXzl2PuMjDhLBg7xWbyp3W3CVH3yteQ5u5-P7Sm7QfH4oq/s400/DSC_0232.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ever since we came to the U.S. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">whenever we go somewhere that has the machine that makes these, I'm there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aside from the sentimentality, I love that these souvenirs are relatively inexpensive,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">easy to lug around and my kids just love turning the wheel and seeing their prize!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't want to keep them in a bottle forever since what is the point of a souvenir if you can't appreciate (or see ) them right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought it best to display them like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJoPu1L3nXqRbjDVi63TfN4DcqxzNCjo3dfUJvxbbFxO66FxVxL0AW1lQjs6CMXcnm1Y7psdix_W_f4YbxTmBtch0PyLxiNsI0yqDsJzRqtrF4F3fqkU01sJZ9AWor9eACqD69KayV2SW/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJoPu1L3nXqRbjDVi63TfN4DcqxzNCjo3dfUJvxbbFxO66FxVxL0AW1lQjs6CMXcnm1Y7psdix_W_f4YbxTmBtch0PyLxiNsI0yqDsJzRqtrF4F3fqkU01sJZ9AWor9eACqD69KayV2SW/s640/DSC_0020.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny Wall art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo239dF0G1QCrD8B5rdIe9UUAs2xtdMWlIe9BB_xqyxSM6IT8j87aQ9LCBdtPB3_i90n5cWwCdgZo9rLs9wfqzEnwPqiZLGb_uFSt38c2GZ-VLQNu1d2Kd06YzSrZXGu9pwMfYlFjmoMC-/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo239dF0G1QCrD8B5rdIe9UUAs2xtdMWlIe9BB_xqyxSM6IT8j87aQ9LCBdtPB3_i90n5cWwCdgZo9rLs9wfqzEnwPqiZLGb_uFSt38c2GZ-VLQNu1d2Kd06YzSrZXGu9pwMfYlFjmoMC-/s640/DSC_0021.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer look...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpqWRfOp7w8NEGwg1G2qhcXs_a-yVdPHnL_7t_45os64lcCbEvrWkS0f2wWS_ZS0Md6WplTH02YV7g7VPTtGuHrrChY6mMIR30GW_jtcZRDjoVA_bOesoUiJTWvufXX9gvmis0fTzJ3op/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpqWRfOp7w8NEGwg1G2qhcXs_a-yVdPHnL_7t_45os64lcCbEvrWkS0f2wWS_ZS0Md6WplTH02YV7g7VPTtGuHrrChY6mMIR30GW_jtcZRDjoVA_bOesoUiJTWvufXX9gvmis0fTzJ3op/s640/DSC_0022.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got the frame on clearance from TARGET. This is what is originally looked like...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarODwI5qZ5AblvQcDhvaJQ8lh2Fpq48V7PCVEwW22Nnni4TmMta4ZlVXpmZr9gMvUckjHypVgHSfLA-IY5giSSrTWwXmC64niEpBgz09IWYecUI4Ts80JP3nw7B2fVVKJAolk6eSE70J/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarODwI5qZ5AblvQcDhvaJQ8lh2Fpq48V7PCVEwW22Nnni4TmMta4ZlVXpmZr9gMvUckjHypVgHSfLA-IY5giSSrTWwXmC64niEpBgz09IWYecUI4Ts80JP3nw7B2fVVKJAolk6eSE70J/s400/DSC_0227.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$7.73</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I was gonna get a Shadow box, but for the size and price, this wall art was way better. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I removed the backing and added contact paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO4nryx08jPAKZjXU61grtlaHbhZrK98C-S-2KB7i5oEskptfhdLAJmTTCWaeqWAt4ZK9IjF25SRQEs3Y6odadPHbXxTzHtVrkzVY9L1Ue1fHzoJRKRpaCQgY9jQJEQaAVn1JObjkP_Tc/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO4nryx08jPAKZjXU61grtlaHbhZrK98C-S-2KB7i5oEskptfhdLAJmTTCWaeqWAt4ZK9IjF25SRQEs3Y6odadPHbXxTzHtVrkzVY9L1Ue1fHzoJRKRpaCQgY9jQJEQaAVn1JObjkP_Tc/s400/DSC_0231.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added my TJ Maxx Laura Ashley Contact paper</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I chose contact paper because it's easy to cut (lines on the back) and the pattern in front made </div><div style="text-align: center;">it easy for me to align my pennies! Win-win!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course you can use fabric or gift wrap for this too.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yomiHHU0Om0TPkqEOfSaQhWqxis8xStzadocNv7Z5MlwV8arCzRizDU5HrOvO3xaj3kYDQTQ9QRxZA0crL_-3JR6rCDjMkBditJe6OLvEedpFyBqVEKhhx-C-89OQyYxo4LsaVgcjDnB/s1600/DSC_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yomiHHU0Om0TPkqEOfSaQhWqxis8xStzadocNv7Z5MlwV8arCzRizDU5HrOvO3xaj3kYDQTQ9QRxZA0crL_-3JR6rCDjMkBditJe6OLvEedpFyBqVEKhhx-C-89OQyYxo4LsaVgcjDnB/s400/DSC_0233.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laid them out...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I initially hot-glued some, but I clumsily burned myself, and so I decided to just use</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">double-sided foam tape to attach them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm happy with the result but my little one is much happier I think - he loves looking at them all the time now and tries to recall the places and what we did there! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still have one more penny to add and hopefully, after our upcoming trip, this set is complete... until the next set that is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">How about you, what do you collect when you travel?</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">Hope you have a Lovely day!</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Linking back to...</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/05/fabulously-creative-friday.html">Fabulously Creative Friday - Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/fnfparty-time.html">FNF Party time - French Country Cottage</a></em></strong></div>

Displaying my Penny Souvenirs

Do you collect these? source Obviously I do... Ever since we came to the U.S.  whenever we go somewhere that has the machine that makes thes...

Read more »

Re-Designing the Kitchen Office

<div style="text-align: center;">Ok, almost ready to show you the final kitchen plan!<br />But before that let's look at the last section of the kitchen - the office.<br /><br /><br />Here is what the office looks now...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaP9qj2U9PN7nidOsRmI-443RrwGVkkNMSVOOKBfCsSFL2AUhqR1YSu0r-UVAleYVxtlpEfXQ56mFV37vhAsABxHf74JTjuzmm1Nw-GCTDw0oM4OC7UBUf7g5Oabdti29zwUOfxumDSx_/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaP9qj2U9PN7nidOsRmI-443RrwGVkkNMSVOOKBfCsSFL2AUhqR1YSu0r-UVAleYVxtlpEfXQ56mFV37vhAsABxHf74JTjuzmm1Nw-GCTDw0oM4OC7UBUf7g5Oabdti29zwUOfxumDSx_/s400/DSC_0120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And here are my inspirations ...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiFL9Y47ZkNVx1aMw7ylz8pMim7f7jfGoRScKV3iJI_bYt0h3WL0m41vo9oAQek78e1giIyVJBGxerXnSuuIk5FiCXpkNmXAZZE-Yg929kHOYvE2xgYBE0oD5ISBpr8CSgTEy1n1icAYE/s1600/white-kitchen-office-space-bhg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiFL9Y47ZkNVx1aMw7ylz8pMim7f7jfGoRScKV3iJI_bYt0h3WL0m41vo9oAQek78e1giIyVJBGxerXnSuuIk5FiCXpkNmXAZZE-Yg929kHOYvE2xgYBE0oD5ISBpr8CSgTEy1n1icAYE/s640/white-kitchen-office-space-bhg.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&biw=1525&bih=712&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=-DWJQgKAbGsenM:&imgrefurl=http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/02/small-space-solutions-home-offices/&docid=rWD5UQB4Xp4L1M&imgurl=http://1c6162ac207f6525cfd8-84665c880233094a565668f32cb79f8e.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/2012/02/white-kitchen-office-space-bhg.jpg&w=497&h=662&ei=NSZ_UI-AA4TUyQHf2oDYDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1234&vpy=229&dur=460&hovh=189&hovw=140&tx=109&ty=97&sig=110962326293439670885&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=98&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:99">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I like the white of course and the smaller drawers as well as having the main 'office part' in the middle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifDExqyqV7Kkz1u97R6V-BP63JhEN2m6ImCVMEq0jh7QMPHy_mOUuGJ7SlwNPFN6XgwLA76S3oyc-ZwSk364y1kPEVs27UjDLpHHTXAOm3GUtkhkv1SdaqR3xlkdVzh5jD7-PNEIR66LD/s1600/f8c98ace9f33c54a8c961a14695dbc4d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifDExqyqV7Kkz1u97R6V-BP63JhEN2m6ImCVMEq0jh7QMPHy_mOUuGJ7SlwNPFN6XgwLA76S3oyc-ZwSk364y1kPEVs27UjDLpHHTXAOm3GUtkhkv1SdaqR3xlkdVzh5jD7-PNEIR66LD/s640/f8c98ace9f33c54a8c961a14695dbc4d.jpg" width="537" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/48906345923407422/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is similar to the first photo but take note that the cabinet goes all the way up the ceiling </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which I like too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2LW7R1Ft1HpjdUx_KzbZNgnyp3YXGpQUluATQ92kWC_SfPaZieOhIVEswFVgjHwxIsQ1BYlJxf296ca5XLQDOPKagRTTCblZZV3_tEbGP6GDVFhAaFfMr-zcuP8J2Y_OmUtCH8sd1jqs/s1600/7425f116ea1bef74636fc4ca31884a3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2LW7R1Ft1HpjdUx_KzbZNgnyp3YXGpQUluATQ92kWC_SfPaZieOhIVEswFVgjHwxIsQ1BYlJxf296ca5XLQDOPKagRTTCblZZV3_tEbGP6GDVFhAaFfMr-zcuP8J2Y_OmUtCH8sd1jqs/s640/7425f116ea1bef74636fc4ca31884a3d.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738562926/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like this because I want a display shelf similar to this for the middle cabinet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PwbqKHvgfC4kq3oqKU2gvwAT7Ib1nkAC2uFSsFUIZAIkqsTPzBAKFcn5McebosHYhludV6EiNmWrPnZvqMYDyaQBVrXScBloID_WJn_v8AqxGMD5kj4HP8i34sNd6XwtgIUaHbXAf8CF/s1600/881e1be36ed1f548b66a875f72140140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PwbqKHvgfC4kq3oqKU2gvwAT7Ib1nkAC2uFSsFUIZAIkqsTPzBAKFcn5McebosHYhludV6EiNmWrPnZvqMYDyaQBVrXScBloID_WJn_v8AqxGMD5kj4HP8i34sNd6XwtgIUaHbXAf8CF/s640/881e1be36ed1f548b66a875f72140140.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738562960/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one shows the over-all feel I want for that area. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here are the design rendering by Heather Lapham from <a href="http://www.eaknightbuilder.com/">E.A. Knight Construction</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfm5Z2-VrUmx6TvuD5LOB20gZPWpIA0TOShny9dap90XR3Zp1QBWtS_z10rh8GGT7iRboUYwJ7gHjcXG-zPg4vXATQ97c7AVe-0pOkABPHo0f7mjzHApJV0pGGtBzQkvupze_x5UqzDFJ/s1600/office+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfm5Z2-VrUmx6TvuD5LOB20gZPWpIA0TOShny9dap90XR3Zp1QBWtS_z10rh8GGT7iRboUYwJ7gHjcXG-zPg4vXATQ97c7AVe-0pOkABPHo0f7mjzHApJV0pGGtBzQkvupze_x5UqzDFJ/s640/office+o.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This first design looks ok, however, we have a 27" MAC and I think the space above it might be too close to the monitor. Also I wanted the table counter height. That way, I could watch a movie or video while cooking and also supervise my son as he does his online therapies.<br /><br />I also wanted a cabinet on the right for the printer instead of drawers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">After some tweaking, here is what  the final cabinet/area will look like...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1MjiA1zmsro2Dg4eVrNyo72EEP2mY5eDJnAnd94_LYB9pmuGOAFR8ohOPq73svllPQK3vsI1DQjoEIlHk6y568htkDOzHjW51Ia7hO05YCM4VHur89VhivZuRkWOdCZuBHPlfuLWRtoP/s1600/office1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1MjiA1zmsro2Dg4eVrNyo72EEP2mY5eDJnAnd94_LYB9pmuGOAFR8ohOPq73svllPQK3vsI1DQjoEIlHk6y568htkDOzHjW51Ia7hO05YCM4VHur89VhivZuRkWOdCZuBHPlfuLWRtoP/s640/office1.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The shelves in the middle will be all glass and lit up from above.<br />Notice too all the drawers and the printer cabinet on the right. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I'm a bit O-C on every little detail and Heather thankfully, is very patient with me and my continuous changes and requests.<br />I just want to make sure I do it right for us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We're almost done with the design process! <br />If you want to see the <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/05/re-designing-kitchen-island.html">Plans for the Kitchen Island, Click here,</a> and for the <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/05/re-designing-pantry-cabinet.html">Plans for the Pantry Cabinet, click here.</a> And if you want to see what the entire Kitchen looks like now, <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/04/criticizing-my-own-kitchen.html">CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">Have a Nice day!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e;">Linking back to these wonderful parties..</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/05/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no165.html">Nifty thrifty Tuesday - Lindas coastal charm</a></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/05/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-196.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming)">Sunday Showcase 196 - Under the table & dreaming</a></em></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-51.html">Make it Pretty Monday 51- The Dedicated House</a></strong><br /><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/166th-inspire-me-tuesday.html?showComment=1369703559099#c4509675219941662405">Inspire Me Tuesday 166- A Stroll thru life</a><br /><a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-12.html">Tuesdays at our Home - Home away from home</a><br /><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/05/terrific-tuesdays-65.html">Terrific Tuesday - Adventures of a DIY mom</a><br /><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/05/share-it-link-party-64.html">Share it Link Party - Winthrop Chronicles</a><br /><a href="http://www.vmg206.com/2013/05/brag-about-it-link-party-no-6.html">Brag about it Link party -VMG</a><br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/create-share-features-too_28.html">Create & share - Trendy Tree House</a><br /><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em></strong></div><br /><br /><br />

Re-Designing the Kitchen Office

Ok, almost ready to show you the final kitchen plan! But before that let's look at the last section of the kitchen - the office. Here is...

Read more »

Speaking of Scarves....

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Did you know that </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Vera Neumann</b><i>'s brilliant designs are</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>currently available at </i><a href="http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=vera+for+target&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories&lnk=snav_sbox_vera+for+target"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">TARGET</span></b></a><i>?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Vera is known for her bold use of colors and she believed that ART should surround people in all aspects of their lives! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my favorites...</span></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlCANilBR92gAyYupS3KN1FzMRvxJD-AFUiCzyKQzkKxwA44ydbLgNQmp422yO3UI5KGeeR-ABv0evv7RAitknGH0f-hVg1Eu61jLG4r-m88-FKZe0wYyzXKLOgh61Fbm5muqQvTPYB_p/s1600/14395641_130324064410_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlCANilBR92gAyYupS3KN1FzMRvxJD-AFUiCzyKQzkKxwA44ydbLgNQmp422yO3UI5KGeeR-ABv0evv7RAitknGH0f-hVg1Eu61jLG4r-m88-FKZe0wYyzXKLOgh61Fbm5muqQvTPYB_p/s200/14395641_130324064410_138x138.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyuTTvsZ7oTRoKQeZYmrYo5el9OoXe51ZSikbboderz7IkidCk0vMVDNEHe4Ohk5_kYncl0aALtV-08OpBjno4avmPHqAMOKN1J64RMyQxUBnVT8eXkR5atTPVKmQ-KcRTJU4XF3pLCbz/s1600/14395642_130324064410_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyuTTvsZ7oTRoKQeZYmrYo5el9OoXe51ZSikbboderz7IkidCk0vMVDNEHe4Ohk5_kYncl0aALtV-08OpBjno4avmPHqAMOKN1J64RMyQxUBnVT8eXkR5atTPVKmQ-KcRTJU4XF3pLCbz/s1600/14395642_130324064410_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNEtrH3AqhTrUbxzrNYM2x-jpZkawTJsvvnUNwnqTqutsBrBAC_ltO9oDhP-7kWxm_k8nCE9e-kikalnRKBlW2lbkk6CfJx66qCZkP7Mc7FZ2vyBWK7e57U2dPvfqp9mrPgeaIzJlOG9O/s1600/14395649_130324064410_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNEtrH3AqhTrUbxzrNYM2x-jpZkawTJsvvnUNwnqTqutsBrBAC_ltO9oDhP-7kWxm_k8nCE9e-kikalnRKBlW2lbkk6CfJx66qCZkP7Mc7FZ2vyBWK7e57U2dPvfqp9mrPgeaIzJlOG9O/s1600/14395649_130324064410_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuz8o4HeyiWBIxSztNA9QU_eR_8_W5HaAGR-ZyLpsvylgwGws9c5TVuuIa1VKfnen8nFe7p_UPAmXck4v6q2L6a333GbTnAvfbsIY5rFWC3YKmemutcqhIMTbzNYFpd1lwYQ0bxpMcRNO/s1600/14395650_130324064410_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuz8o4HeyiWBIxSztNA9QU_eR_8_W5HaAGR-ZyLpsvylgwGws9c5TVuuIa1VKfnen8nFe7p_UPAmXck4v6q2L6a333GbTnAvfbsIY5rFWC3YKmemutcqhIMTbzNYFpd1lwYQ0bxpMcRNO/s1600/14395650_130324064410_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1EyqVMvpKqNktXhZV580XrXjxFNPovGRtG7CTYdjxHb-vqb2ZTqHdF9IH4BJ7x3n8ESBd1WP2JisxptNl1M7mYNl-qrVAVpvxP8VEyKjDW6FQdfCJ8XewJCFLcijItuFvi_HO0n2RvPT/s1600/14395651_130324064410_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1EyqVMvpKqNktXhZV580XrXjxFNPovGRtG7CTYdjxHb-vqb2ZTqHdF9IH4BJ7x3n8ESBd1WP2JisxptNl1M7mYNl-qrVAVpvxP8VEyKjDW6FQdfCJ8XewJCFLcijItuFvi_HO0n2RvPT/s1600/14395651_130324064410_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNt-_bF2IGnOJteMI2GRAfAI9R6on8ZP4bx6a6DkxQ78Pym_ryKSvP20M2B-N-pfWW4i4DH0kgXZt1D8J7c3NomyFNrpByaUy2B7_eedXHSoGbllyOPtLwFwSDJGY-AQ4dIB6N99LXYPh/s1600/14420615_130429110000_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNt-_bF2IGnOJteMI2GRAfAI9R6on8ZP4bx6a6DkxQ78Pym_ryKSvP20M2B-N-pfWW4i4DH0kgXZt1D8J7c3NomyFNrpByaUy2B7_eedXHSoGbllyOPtLwFwSDJGY-AQ4dIB6N99LXYPh/s1600/14420615_130429110000_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-EVhwcoZOAVNZogGZJQKZgEfq3IKyPKKnemrEcSmY0OVyRlcEdtM7DoAHL-n5WLD7KMSOefwkN_3oyRtxMBD5LZvSXwmZTURpHRfkJcxmEsejd4iJFfjHe_IYQvWpxgOqCaQZI1ZULf2/s1600/14420666_130429110000_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-EVhwcoZOAVNZogGZJQKZgEfq3IKyPKKnemrEcSmY0OVyRlcEdtM7DoAHL-n5WLD7KMSOefwkN_3oyRtxMBD5LZvSXwmZTURpHRfkJcxmEsejd4iJFfjHe_IYQvWpxgOqCaQZI1ZULf2/s1600/14420666_130429110000_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqs1-R86OFCSx3zM8VfExSBxpMDvKQDHtIRXf1hLNAS20nwaYN-FZIdcYSw40smo9z0JZq3TY4T2q54nIZWVMlUpD_FwG1eWTbMHdfL6yrtHmYaooajm06oePRr8YAbTvqH3kcqlaHhYi/s1600/14420667_130429110000_138x138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqs1-R86OFCSx3zM8VfExSBxpMDvKQDHtIRXf1hLNAS20nwaYN-FZIdcYSw40smo9z0JZq3TY4T2q54nIZWVMlUpD_FwG1eWTbMHdfL6yrtHmYaooajm06oePRr8YAbTvqH3kcqlaHhYi/s1600/14420667_130429110000_138x138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Perfect for this Memorial Day Weekend right?! Even as pillow covers just like what <a href="http://www.powellbrower.com/2013/05/scarfin-up-some-pillows.html">Bethany did over at "Powell Brower at home"!</a> Check <a href="http://www.powellbrower.com/2013/05/scarfin-up-some-pillows.html">it</a> out if you have the time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Have a Great Memorial Day!</span></b></i></div><br />Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

Speaking of Scarves....

Did you know that Vera Neumann 's brilliant designs are currently available at TARGET ? Vera is known for her bold use of colors and she...

Read more »

Organizing your Screws

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried helping my husband organize some of his stuff in the garage 2 weeks ago and I told him I'll tackle the 'most difficult one'. And so, he gave me these 3 boxes of SCREWS!!!1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3MONtpnGX-R-ZXB2b9Gym7GjPkO2ib2ksPP-jsb9pR2Vs8jbi15x9uNQhBjMqqFe7tSW40HF9qaL0eXTUo_gdXua0LWQrFJmoyul0wQqmCsdkc2utSaZhP8QJhITtFORc5Mmkzg9xpcJ/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3MONtpnGX-R-ZXB2b9Gym7GjPkO2ib2ksPP-jsb9pR2Vs8jbi15x9uNQhBjMqqFe7tSW40HF9qaL0eXTUo_gdXua0LWQrFJmoyul0wQqmCsdkc2utSaZhP8QJhITtFORc5Mmkzg9xpcJ/s400/DSC_0099.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALL 3 filled with nails, bolts, and screws galore</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91cH3zG8cxUAwJtmofpQzTJQEvMNgBcC2U4sZsnl0NeF_5xCV0BHQC8NtEACFYXGp1mqLfRJLVHmxtRi68D-BmuMWTcMrZxlDEEgrnnp7Lf_-df8vdTWv6Q-LSPYjMsyOpS9JGHHTHUXm/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91cH3zG8cxUAwJtmofpQzTJQEvMNgBcC2U4sZsnl0NeF_5xCV0BHQC8NtEACFYXGp1mqLfRJLVHmxtRi68D-BmuMWTcMrZxlDEEgrnnp7Lf_-df8vdTWv6Q-LSPYjMsyOpS9JGHHTHUXm/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">This was how he tried to organized it before - not very effective since he would</div><div style="text-align: center;">always have to open each drawer up to see whats inside for the particular</div><div style="text-align: center;">screw he needed! And when your trying to find  the right one, it could take you a long while!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyt4tXMuZ3or4dT9PbnB-1iUA_DE1xC6sUDXaUmqEousRIGpV3Yse0m-W2PiABPwbNfUBViXewdKyoCCIX-I8XIfSexCTR7KH4uHcaw0zdw5xHTL5kbg3YOrySRtGvFemejPyhagMbEMr/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyt4tXMuZ3or4dT9PbnB-1iUA_DE1xC6sUDXaUmqEousRIGpV3Yse0m-W2PiABPwbNfUBViXewdKyoCCIX-I8XIfSexCTR7KH4uHcaw0zdw5xHTL5kbg3YOrySRtGvFemejPyhagMbEMr/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After hours of grouping, eliminating (yes, I found a bunch of non-screw stuff from old magnets to gauze!). I came up with this...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIohJ5Z0nOtwQAJyVSmi0XkQZ5Up_gVKl6eAUhuby3lNJm1Cubqtl2I7mUwPzkzUq9u6GN9i9SLndYZ3aNvrnfQWzAnwPFlSzl9597SRq3txs0d7h6kLoFusUqBIIQ7MdcMRqGVgI-YhjD/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIohJ5Z0nOtwQAJyVSmi0XkQZ5Up_gVKl6eAUhuby3lNJm1Cubqtl2I7mUwPzkzUq9u6GN9i9SLndYZ3aNvrnfQWzAnwPFlSzl9597SRq3txs0d7h6kLoFusUqBIIQ7MdcMRqGVgI-YhjD/s640/DSC_0102.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">much better I think...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH8RVT9lg0g6_VU6-U9B931hS002iv1GcLd5H8BOUp0n1tGddkpEj_ErUUOAlnb93edp4emi1XVItFGLPmFRhMkDqHHbmB0eAbgxFGjbRnQTuSKS2GXfsfIhxUNR0DS4vcjZzQSK8hd3P/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH8RVT9lg0g6_VU6-U9B931hS002iv1GcLd5H8BOUp0n1tGddkpEj_ErUUOAlnb93edp4emi1XVItFGLPmFRhMkDqHHbmB0eAbgxFGjbRnQTuSKS2GXfsfIhxUNR0DS4vcjZzQSK8hd3P/s640/DSC_0103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know exactly what's inside!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hot-glued the type of screw on the outside so that he can easily see what's inside!<br />He thought it was genius and I ended up with one extra container after all the organizing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hopefully, this will stay the way it is for now and always!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Happy Organizing!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><br /></strong></span><strong>Linking back to...</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><strong><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/feathered-nest-friday-time.html">Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage</a></strong><br /><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/05/cooking-with-flowers-and-simple-sweet.html?showComment=1369342525872"><b>Simple Sweet Friday - Rooted in Thyme</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/05/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_24.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SerenityNow-aMommysSolutionToStayingSane%20(Serenity%20Now-A%20Mommy's%20Solution%20to%20Staying%20Sane)"><b>Weekend Bloggy Link up - Serenity now</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.serenityyou.com/2013/05/serenity-saturday-88.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SerenityYou+%28Serenity+you%29"><b>Serenity Saturday - Serenity You</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/05/show-tell-saturday.html"><b>Show & Tell Saturday - Be different Act normal</b></a></div><br />

Organizing your Screws

I tried helping my husband organize some of his stuff in the garage 2 weeks ago and I told him I'll tackle the 'most difficult one&#...

Read more »

Bath Decor

<div style="text-align: center;">Like most of you, I bet your bath does not look like this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclzr4K-lT8QRt9exNp_PPK9f-uQorMEeJ29-3hz9rHTnpIMT5EFShO3XXpXOte31_Exwbgx2CS1HxMzOsKqVWyQKoc2cFX4C0QW9AqBmYtCdHwkT0VbCRvPrXt-AtZZxZrQtFdjZIxCE/s1600/5ff4d99ece822f936d4f304d226c3e30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclzr4K-lT8QRt9exNp_PPK9f-uQorMEeJ29-3hz9rHTnpIMT5EFShO3XXpXOte31_Exwbgx2CS1HxMzOsKqVWyQKoc2cFX4C0QW9AqBmYtCdHwkT0VbCRvPrXt-AtZZxZrQtFdjZIxCE/s640/5ff4d99ece822f936d4f304d226c3e30.jpg" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brunchatsaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-home-filled-with-style.html#disqus_thread">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>or this...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZqexKZp-DZYhTVIFTLPFo9rugbIBq5kChrp35FIlhzRB7N4G_Yz2xD9TQ3GazInHhEcV1MM4PZ1ehUPffuNof6ON4dVHra9L2FOliH1DqKWTEWK1_-I9HQvgtjcDbCe7fv6YoFzUH05o/s1600/4220f2e615e808e02ac3e39e0ac1c5b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZqexKZp-DZYhTVIFTLPFo9rugbIBq5kChrp35FIlhzRB7N4G_Yz2xD9TQ3GazInHhEcV1MM4PZ1ehUPffuNof6ON4dVHra9L2FOliH1DqKWTEWK1_-I9HQvgtjcDbCe7fv6YoFzUH05o/s640/4220f2e615e808e02ac3e39e0ac1c5b6.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interiorbuzz.com/photos/kilgour-estate-bungalow">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">.. Or maybe a big 'YES' for some. Definitely not mine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, we all try to make the best we can, and so, one day, here's what I did with my tub...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI1J3S0Jbg0Hey6RSD3glltjosJR05YdSljryEYh22e1ZC2GUcz-ukFTxCgi8uMuFv6e17LB8D4jqkGXMTADOoz7gvol26Z4MLBeRCzcfwY7L5j3d17ssbqeYnaABqhEpUsYuYDhv4IUQ/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI1J3S0Jbg0Hey6RSD3glltjosJR05YdSljryEYh22e1ZC2GUcz-ukFTxCgi8uMuFv6e17LB8D4jqkGXMTADOoz7gvol26Z4MLBeRCzcfwY7L5j3d17ssbqeYnaABqhEpUsYuYDhv4IUQ/s640/DSC_0231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small oasis of respite</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Used apothecary jars I have collected from TJ Maxx, filled it with bath salts, spa[ and sponges. I also added a fish-fish bowl also from TJ Maxx filled with more scrubs. I also have a JA candle to add ambience and of course my favorite foam baths and soap scrubs (one made by my son).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF02wMbIsewt9JMD-_Sqgtxal-Z_BCtl_1dQVlOvx7lyH0KwF4CaDNqLb9l1ioiFXVYbSKBsGrQNUvMbv6o_0XNRo1XXFXZL_TxTCbqO1OpTn6Ezqz7FhXyWbk4wHxbiGmdx7ZHwOHp4m/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF02wMbIsewt9JMD-_Sqgtxal-Z_BCtl_1dQVlOvx7lyH0KwF4CaDNqLb9l1ioiFXVYbSKBsGrQNUvMbv6o_0XNRo1XXFXZL_TxTCbqO1OpTn6Ezqz7FhXyWbk4wHxbiGmdx7ZHwOHp4m/s640/DSC_0232.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Call me VAIN but I love my mirror on my tub</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MNrS-QWZcsmgWUCjzLV4GJMW98dixGgD7EUi9wIQHlVvK1J3crqfDAM03EOKdmMgbJox7rUbHrK7iZoZoJfyTguYMgAhGUTJrhQskBWM4KfMcqN2VLy5gvEfkn_03v0-Cl-qW0PybKaE/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MNrS-QWZcsmgWUCjzLV4GJMW98dixGgD7EUi9wIQHlVvK1J3crqfDAM03EOKdmMgbJox7rUbHrK7iZoZoJfyTguYMgAhGUTJrhQskBWM4KfMcqN2VLy5gvEfkn_03v0-Cl-qW0PybKaE/s640/DSC_0233.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3MJ3zKn2f0ybLrVgEvVYm_r2J3VSQ94wBQz6x0FdXXp7tlv96ujIn0FPqTn18tLQNDnIPs0eWHXWdjcgzgP4FO8NHqgmFEwLXWyfnKLUwYmnqeHna9EDKR4JLf6a_xD_j2Y1OnpHyfm7/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3MJ3zKn2f0ybLrVgEvVYm_r2J3VSQ94wBQz6x0FdXXp7tlv96ujIn0FPqTn18tLQNDnIPs0eWHXWdjcgzgP4FO8NHqgmFEwLXWyfnKLUwYmnqeHna9EDKR4JLf6a_xD_j2Y1OnpHyfm7/s640/DSC_0234.JPG" width="516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real sea sponge I scored at an Antique mall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3_2QkRNF8Xq-EH6_0E0NL2uodt_ICeLyF_tUqpJLDuQVy8DTzbxYtQ_GiTdSghD3KQr289p5oSs-bUhgSq1CzErqzdzUMGljhyAZ4RHJF1kAsQMo3U5aOdMpIIC5KB9M4q2KmzJ7woA3/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3_2QkRNF8Xq-EH6_0E0NL2uodt_ICeLyF_tUqpJLDuQVy8DTzbxYtQ_GiTdSghD3KQr289p5oSs-bUhgSq1CzErqzdzUMGljhyAZ4RHJF1kAsQMo3U5aOdMpIIC5KB9M4q2KmzJ7woA3/s640/DSC_0236.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually moved the sponge here</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ9w_nJ5lnOx6uzABov8tOUkA_hBk1wnRKKDXLU46PdyAl2v6jPfGNYSyj9LTDpDxBvSnVI7-FQBX7tQDadUTFgaKzedChua1Z1kkAdTzV_vQ5lbOhDw2OEqTc1whqlDkvV-JIS8wfU_d/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ9w_nJ5lnOx6uzABov8tOUkA_hBk1wnRKKDXLU46PdyAl2v6jPfGNYSyj9LTDpDxBvSnVI7-FQBX7tQDadUTFgaKzedChua1Z1kkAdTzV_vQ5lbOhDw2OEqTc1whqlDkvV-JIS8wfU_d/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A place to relax and unwind</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Do you try to decorate around your tub? What is your favorite bath routine?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Have a Nice day!</span></b></i><br /><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Linking back to...</span></b></i><br /><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/05/wow-me-wednesday-104.html">Wow Me Wednesday 104 - Gingersnap Crafts</a></span></i><br /><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/yip-skip-cloche-party-time.html">Yip Skip Cloche Party - A Stroll thru Life</a></span></i><br /><i><a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2013/05/made-by-me-81-linky-party-and-features.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Made by me Link Party 81 - Jaqs Studio</a></i><br /><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/05/transformation-thursday-no-205.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)"><i>Transformation Thursday - Shabby Creek Cottage</i></a><br /><i><a href="http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2013/05/wildly-original-link-party-53.html">Wildly original Link party - I gotta create</a></i><br /><i><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-135/">Tuesdays Treasures 135 - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></i><br /><i><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/feathered-nest-friday-time.html">Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage</a></i><br /><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/05/cooking-with-flowers-and-simple-sweet.html?showComment=1369342525872">Simple Sweet Friday - Rooted in Thyme</a><br /><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/05/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_24.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SerenityNow-aMommysSolutionToStayingSane%20(Serenity%20Now-A%20Mommy's%20Solution%20to%20Staying%20Sane)">Weekend Bloggy Link Up - Serenity Now</a><br /><a href="http://www.serenityyou.com/2013/05/serenity-saturday-88.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SerenityYou+%28Serenity+you%29">Serenity Saturday -Serenity You</a><br /><a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/05/show-tell-saturday.html">Show & Tell Saturday - Be Different, Act Normal</a></div>

Bath Decor

Like most of you, I bet your bath does not look like this... source or this... source .. Or maybe a big 'YES' for some. Definitely n...

Read more »

Re-Designing the Kitchen Island

<div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much for all your responses on my cooktop dilemma!<br />I feel that I need to explain more on WHY I chose Island cooktop vs. the wall cooktop, since the wall cooktop looks pretty amazing already.<br /><br />Well, some of my blogger friends know this already.<br /> 1)One of the big factors to my choice is COST.<br />You see, all the wiring, duct work and all is already on the current island, and my contractor explained to me more why moving the cooktop will be costly. I have a HUGE kitchen, actually, the contractor said, mine would be the biggest kitchen he'll be doing so far.<br />The cost is already bordering on my budget limit and I bet, it will still go up further since we haven't priced the cabinets yet. And so, we are keeping the cooktop where it is, on the island.<br /><br />2) Also, there is  a gorgeous view across the island - not just the office area  but since it will be facing diag diagonally, it will be facing the pool area and back porch! It will be so nice especially in the summer.<br /><br />3) And probably the most important reason for me is my need to supervise my son while I cook.<br />My little one also does daily online therapies. For those of you not familiar with online therapies, these are computer-internet based learning and language therapies for kids with learning disabilities.<br />My son needs to do 3-4 therapy session every afternoon after school on top of his homework. This needs my supervision and also because, he wants me to watch as he does this. I think it's a simple request from a kid who's already doing so much. If I do the therapies with him, this would eat out almost 2 hours of my time - after work, that means no cooking, no dinner or dinner out, a lot.<br /><br />My friend <a href="http://cas-anoasisinthedesert.blogspot.com/">CAROL from "Oasis in the Desert"</a> and <a href="http://happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com/">Robin From "Happily Home After"</a> explained to me that in reality you don't really spend much time on facing the cooktop itself - and that is true, for most people. For me though, I will. So my prep work <i>and cooking</i> needs to be on the island.<br /><br /><br />Ok, enough said, here is what our current Kitchen Island looks like again...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispwy7SwQB52Lj1YWl2uAhyphenhyphenCmJlD7oSeSc0uxJYYejwRLe-X4O0fPilLhO8OGP7Y0PCFxCoMQzUKe5kOMvdNxUcms5DI5WGpdMajohyyha23cLP95v0_hUHV7SnHe1vo2or7jyAWFmYKo9/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispwy7SwQB52Lj1YWl2uAhyphenhyphenCmJlD7oSeSc0uxJYYejwRLe-X4O0fPilLhO8OGP7Y0PCFxCoMQzUKe5kOMvdNxUcms5DI5WGpdMajohyyha23cLP95v0_hUHV7SnHe1vo2or7jyAWFmYKo9/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUaeFAj7ScjGdx7WwLq8jzdgGrDMvHJuxQ1ZeGxifXkOPCJqKO_EFp-5FEed624V66_5oGczRPpuXfwGY-e7qV7Fi7pRkienB2OxyTFfFPWjyem8XIfj-9_QbhRUocTZrHsczrf-e4krM/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUaeFAj7ScjGdx7WwLq8jzdgGrDMvHJuxQ1ZeGxifXkOPCJqKO_EFp-5FEed624V66_5oGczRPpuXfwGY-e7qV7Fi7pRkienB2OxyTFfFPWjyem8XIfj-9_QbhRUocTZrHsczrf-e4krM/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is situated across the office and will be so again when we renovate with one major difference - it will not have the gigantic space gap from the counter top behind!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgx00JGGGEwKoNuTXzSv8Odm7IHh_3jfT3mhGpCF4BjugoGkg2opDAtb-1Uqd_gb_VVRnsgrZ3yj5Qy7yKuX-MmIGjo0KXMi92Q8Zcrs4-Fx7tgAhUazRs3S_x9hEGFXbu_gdZbx3DTbo/s1600/DSC_0118-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgx00JGGGEwKoNuTXzSv8Odm7IHh_3jfT3mhGpCF4BjugoGkg2opDAtb-1Uqd_gb_VVRnsgrZ3yj5Qy7yKuX-MmIGjo0KXMi92Q8Zcrs4-Fx7tgAhUazRs3S_x9hEGFXbu_gdZbx3DTbo/s400/DSC_0118-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here are my Inspirations...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxTf77C3Xyuap4d42DfJyxfB2upr-R-3FnPYHA_qbs6mS3NVcxCMK5oNvp1k8yzPrlE_vr0KZ-ASPtxvXBlqqfSWFu730hEr7QsleGIOFJGYaDA_xUKYxI04tX2lh-fesxcLxzz0B0uGY/s1600/cc4327b1589b8fc7c8b19aa1d01c95c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxTf77C3Xyuap4d42DfJyxfB2upr-R-3FnPYHA_qbs6mS3NVcxCMK5oNvp1k8yzPrlE_vr0KZ-ASPtxvXBlqqfSWFu730hEr7QsleGIOFJGYaDA_xUKYxI04tX2lh-fesxcLxzz0B0uGY/s640/cc4327b1589b8fc7c8b19aa1d01c95c6.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738131417/">homebunch.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the contrasting cabinetry - white on the background cabinets and dark wood on the island.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PLnwLaK5dbYceWGfRMLiw-Wiy0_WYwUU-jWw4Y9JJ4n-QN3SsKWe4HOKvzKbG0BYU822v39kpFQ88agkTMp0NABolcWzrqOtAwrIrlBCGNIih9xI92ezJBpSK_GNUbBwksfsMf9RDduY/s1600/6f842b8357bec61b04f7212ee72b2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PLnwLaK5dbYceWGfRMLiw-Wiy0_WYwUU-jWw4Y9JJ4n-QN3SsKWe4HOKvzKbG0BYU822v39kpFQ88agkTMp0NABolcWzrqOtAwrIrlBCGNIih9xI92ezJBpSK_GNUbBwksfsMf9RDduY/s400/6f842b8357bec61b04f7212ee72b2416.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738163048/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want the bar height (42") for the eat-in area of the island, that way I could avoid splatter and spills running down my 'customers' ;-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARipdjHapbpmqjW4k7_tpmuVOSqmgGZzgmetnzCXE8yWOJMztT8CorIXEfF__9VJahromOfIaC4QfJyrM39vmURz9C2wRVWghXYfH0p8Yoo1nxiSecUUi0O71Yi7dHkSnH2Uu50O_Kt73/s1600/1853bissell_diewald_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARipdjHapbpmqjW4k7_tpmuVOSqmgGZzgmetnzCXE8yWOJMztT8CorIXEfF__9VJahromOfIaC4QfJyrM39vmURz9C2wRVWghXYfH0p8Yoo1nxiSecUUi0O71Yi7dHkSnH2Uu50O_Kt73/s640/1853bissell_diewald_001.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://christopherpeacockinfo.wordpress.com/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, my inspiration wouldn't be complete without Christopher Peacock's design as an inspiration!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsZeDhMYm85doKzJPVmFiSYeJ2LKMrByLzmugenPSp_gs4RB4C1cjGA_mahx3kSntAi_yvSkK7LxSYauj8idDKiJL8b71YfZU1iy1S_e9FYU0403OIcmg3earRRkB1S5YurqyT6LY-K-R/s1600/7e7e1336fb24ee6e85ded82d19939b84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsZeDhMYm85doKzJPVmFiSYeJ2LKMrByLzmugenPSp_gs4RB4C1cjGA_mahx3kSntAi_yvSkK7LxSYauj8idDKiJL8b71YfZU1iy1S_e9FYU0403OIcmg3earRRkB1S5YurqyT6LY-K-R/s640/7e7e1336fb24ee6e85ded82d19939b84.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mydesignchic.com/2013/02/raising-bar.html">mydesignchic.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I love the beverage fridge here and the drawers on the side. Easy access for plates and the like for our breakfast area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here are the design renderings of Design Coordinator, Heather Lapham of <a href="http://www.eaknightbuilder.com/">E.A. Knight Construction</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2BiD7Q5eqDf1ZNTZBf0v0hz0DduT_h2b8ByaYhhXrg-w05jCrS7kRCHb8oFmCnzkiGzLKcjeU6knoieZrv_eDjt00njI_MITpJUksdoRW8KMT885kFbZ3eE7pJQCGxwW6IikW-Q7B2vC/s1600/k1+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2BiD7Q5eqDf1ZNTZBf0v0hz0DduT_h2b8ByaYhhXrg-w05jCrS7kRCHb8oFmCnzkiGzLKcjeU6knoieZrv_eDjt00njI_MITpJUksdoRW8KMT885kFbZ3eE7pJQCGxwW6IikW-Q7B2vC/s400/k1+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First draft was a flat island. Again, for safety reasons, I wanted a two-step island. Although flat straight islands are gorgeous, and originally, this was what I really wanted. But for my family, I just don't think this type would work. Plus I also did not like that line of cabinets underneath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the 2nd draft...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxjoc7Rly17CftwUS5h_1symXVPiy7wBbrE0BWz2Wr2aHBTDPvLEtceuBYcvWJFE9uDN3U0zkJeTz9LtbXrZKdQE5uzel3HczFkf47X3UmxvesLeA1cbUppZDP4mKBVhyXVw4gC_Df3f2/s1600/island+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxjoc7Rly17CftwUS5h_1symXVPiy7wBbrE0BWz2Wr2aHBTDPvLEtceuBYcvWJFE9uDN3U0zkJeTz9LtbXrZKdQE5uzel3HczFkf47X3UmxvesLeA1cbUppZDP4mKBVhyXVw4gC_Df3f2/s640/island+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 2nd draft, the only complaint I had was the very deep eat-in tabletop - 30" was too deep and I was afraid that the island would be TOO BIG. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that Heather kept the beverage fridge  at counter height too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgaBxYxJBx9EfEzy-IuOiOD9OrAj7kXjEBKsamEmtngF1z-Ywq3DClWo1Q3ntCp5inTQ6EJQGlfPn5iZITr9bDFA7fOPdIWmww3O8DmmontqtWXuLTOpTN6XcEdKvCqNGk9Savvi_RSEU/s1600/island+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgaBxYxJBx9EfEzy-IuOiOD9OrAj7kXjEBKsamEmtngF1z-Ywq3DClWo1Q3ntCp5inTQ6EJQGlfPn5iZITr9bDFA7fOPdIWmww3O8DmmontqtWXuLTOpTN6XcEdKvCqNGk9Savvi_RSEU/s640/island+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGMZPG4Le4GdIAv8R0fLVPkhkKHlPf09GnY4n5I0imn3rL5sjXkT_Pyp7b5pwGVjwZFRFuzl4B4ZdEYaY9DcU_zmCeNXFtjkAPE7W5P_xt0LdjCJ0goEJDD9e9VmNF7Q-Cx0sb2ld7HrB/s1600/island2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGMZPG4Le4GdIAv8R0fLVPkhkKHlPf09GnY4n5I0imn3rL5sjXkT_Pyp7b5pwGVjwZFRFuzl4B4ZdEYaY9DcU_zmCeNXFtjkAPE7W5P_xt0LdjCJ0goEJDD9e9VmNF7Q-Cx0sb2ld7HrB/s640/island2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I asked for the drawers for pots and pand underneath the cooktop and 2 spice racks on each side. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this is prettier and more practical too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When my husband saw the design, he suggested though why not make the eat-in tabletop just go all the way to the edge? He thought it was nicer to look at. One big caveat though, I would loose my beverage fridge area or sacrifice a cabinet for a space for the fridge. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what it will look like if ever...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWyJeD436Aw9eyJtyOJpHUj0zWXZWKDGdfhjxgRu5e_cTL8-vdckzGwjYMHmfSx1PwXeUBg0lMST6h4hTJALY50kHD_Vaj2eZM1_9JTwbXVa6OZ5nQeuz0LH8YTClSgIbxma9agKSHMXZ/s1600/island+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWyJeD436Aw9eyJtyOJpHUj0zWXZWKDGdfhjxgRu5e_cTL8-vdckzGwjYMHmfSx1PwXeUBg0lMST6h4hTJALY50kHD_Vaj2eZM1_9JTwbXVa6OZ5nQeuz0LH8YTClSgIbxma9agKSHMXZ/s640/island+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKIjSFoP6kdO3vVTcEXV8CBPElQeqvk8vpBOyH5SWIIECy0KbXIVe60aX5O6DaR4HhM3qYDGY_PcMUypiYWKQPgK8cnHe-cC2dxCZNdxCPaN8VX454EQvmV1AKfivIVb1qlIp8UeXtIrc/s1600/island+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKIjSFoP6kdO3vVTcEXV8CBPElQeqvk8vpBOyH5SWIIECy0KbXIVe60aX5O6DaR4HhM3qYDGY_PcMUypiYWKQPgK8cnHe-cC2dxCZNdxCPaN8VX454EQvmV1AKfivIVb1qlIp8UeXtIrc/s640/island+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much smaller island work area</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4-__t49EuRlTwbCDNFSdNUvgeMABa0hlC7fSFjYj6plT0pCjJ5ZeNIKS797ZjEoipTvy6IFh7s_e3y4NL5JVOb2anBAs0zONwk9NIyBUtmN9rKsgJHBr0_upzz57H7Gj81johtChn_sP/s1600/island+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4-__t49EuRlTwbCDNFSdNUvgeMABa0hlC7fSFjYj6plT0pCjJ5ZeNIKS797ZjEoipTvy6IFh7s_e3y4NL5JVOb2anBAs0zONwk9NIyBUtmN9rKsgJHBr0_upzz57H7Gj81johtChn_sP/s640/island+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looks nice over-all but I decided not to sacrifice the extra-storage and fridge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went back to the original 2nd draft design with the eat-in island tabletop  only 20" deep.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what it will look like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGjyANJLUt8OLVufjAppMhzJWO60TJxl50CQLUUg_ygC7c059UHa4zEYbFHtE3wRFsX6cAxL8i0JWw8a8z_hi1lVY5VorTyQkYGFp8w2p0tw1gkBQkzfYFlygUOA-Q_6NOaUta3E3SO46/s1600/island+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGjyANJLUt8OLVufjAppMhzJWO60TJxl50CQLUUg_ygC7c059UHa4zEYbFHtE3wRFsX6cAxL8i0JWw8a8z_hi1lVY5VorTyQkYGFp8w2p0tw1gkBQkzfYFlygUOA-Q_6NOaUta3E3SO46/s640/island+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you think? How does the island work in your home?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">Have a Beautiful Day! </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Linking back to these fabulous parties...</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/05/creative-bloggers-party-hop-111.html">Creative Bloggers Party Hop - Homemaker on a dime</a></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/05/amaze-me-monday-7.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Amaze Me Monday #7 - Dwellings the heart of your home</a></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://linkyimg.arvixededicated.com/v2_confirm.aspx?return=http%3a%2f%2flinda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com%2f2013%2f05%2fnifty-thrifty-tuesday-no164.html&entryurl=http%3a%2f%2fbuhayatbahay.blogspot.com%2f2013%2f05%2fre-designing-kitchen-island.html"><em><strong>Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Coastal Charm</strong></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-50.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Make It pretty monday #50 - The Dedicated house</a></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-11.html">Tuesdays at our Home - Our Home away from home</a></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/05/share-it-link-party-63.html">Share It Link Party 63 - The Winthrop Chronicles</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-inspiration-board-creative-party-103.html">The Inspiration Board 103 - Carolyn's Homework</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vmg206.com/2013/05/brag-about-it-link-up-party-no-5.html">Brag about it link party 5 - VMG206</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/05/terrific-tuesday-64.html">Terrific Tuesdays - Adventures of a DIY MOM </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/05/wow-me-wednesday-104.html">Wow Me Wednesday 104 - Gingersnap Crafts</a></div>

Re-Designing the Kitchen Island

Thank you so much for all your responses on my cooktop dilemma! I feel that I need to explain more on WHY I chose Island cooktop vs. the wal...

Read more »