hostales, I'm sorry I have not found a way yet to properly contribute to this obviously popular thread you started. So often I snip 'atypical' leafs, unless we think it may be a useful, possible sport. Actually, I don't do this, but my wife does. I think it's because we have many, on a per/week basis, tours here. I have NOT, however forgotten this great thread, and should the opportunity to contribute here, will! As of now, though, all examples I can think of are mostly, perhaps, possible or probable reversions or sports (see recent hot thread about the controversial argument regarding sports vs. reversions, an interesting read!). Thanks for this thread idea. hh

We eat tons of avocados, it's kind of a basic ingredient in our house. My husband spreads them on toast instead of butter, for breakfast or lunch. He'll often add cheese, luncheon meat, smoked fish, whatever's around. You know how some people salt their food? He'll slice avocado on it. Pretty much no matter what I cook he'll add either tomatoes or avocado (or both) to it! I'll put it in just about any sandwich, especially egg salad, turkey, or tuna, and it's good with mild green chilis and cheddar on a hamburger or in an omelette. Just wrapping slices with thin-sliced smoked turkey is a tasty snack too. You can add it to almost any salad, but my favorite is lettuce, avo, jicama, corn, tomato, black beans, shredded cheese, chicken, ranch dressing with a little fresh basil. We both go into withdrawal when there are no ripe avos in the house!

Thank you all for your thoughts. I’m not at all offended or upset by any suggestions. I really appreciate people, who have done this before, sharing their wisdom. Information that I should have included at the beginning of this thread is the constraints on this project- they are all directly budget related. Here they are: 1. Stove, sink, dishwasher stay in the same place. 2. The main stack and plumbing for the second floor all run through the wall between the stove/oven and the powder room ��" so it can’t be adjusted. Brittu - that island has given me fits. I’d love to make it rectangular, but then it’s too close to the wall where the pantry cabinets are and constricts flow -hence why I ended up going with a curved side there. Essentially, you think that I should rotate the sink so that it is facing the stove. I would be concerned that then it interferes with people cooking at the stove? Have you ever had that happen? I think I’ll play around with the shape of the island a little more…but your concern about landing area around the sink is certainly a good point. Hmmm, I see some revisions in my future. And that’s interesting that you don’t miss having a landing area for your fridge right next to it. I see that design in many of the new kitchen design mags and it looks like you would miss it. Another thing to think on. And the comment about moving the wall by the powder room - it contains all the plumbing and hvac for the house, so it’s staying put. Oh how I wish I could move it- I agree with you on it looking like 2 different spaces -that’s been my biggest challenge. Right now it is two spaces and I don’t want it to look like that when we take the wall down. Lavendar_lass- yes, that peninsula is mainly for school and entertaining spot, so I didn’t want the prep sink there. I was trying to keep the “working” part of the kitchen away from the “school” part. And I think the wood color will probably be slightly lighter than how it looked in the pictures because you’re correct - it does look very heavy (glad you like the blue :). I hadn’t thought about different color uppers and lowers - I’m trying to keep this traditional since it’s essentially a four square house and also because my guess is we won’t remodel it again for many many years. But I do love the house in your link! Remodelfla - thanks for your observation - you are right a lot more space on the left, but flipping the sink, stove, etc isn’t in the budget - I agreed to keep those in the same place. I get to add a prep sink and move the refrigerator , that’s all - I’ll go back and look at the dimensions on the space between the peninsula and wall. I’ve been in a friend’s kitchen that was just redone (beautiful materials), but was so crammed in that I hated being in it. I do NOT want that to happen, so thanks for noticing the potential problem. Rhome - you’re not a downer -I really do want criticism. If I just wanted “looks fabulous” I would have shown it to my Mom! The door to the garage is by the table (it has a rug in front of it) and the main living area is past the powder room. You are right there are no direct paths through the kitchen and I realized that. When I was working on my sketches, if I left a direct path from the garage (main entrance into the house for most of the family) to the bathroom/ family room, it completely cut the room in half and then it really looked like to disjointed rooms. And I know the battle with the peninsula and junk will have to be fought initially, but if I am clear up front bout materials not being left there, and with their additional storage area (under the peninsula bar) I don’t expect it to be a problem. I’m also hoping the desk area will help me with my stuff being put away (I tend to be the biggest clutterbug in the house). So I guess, based on the comments from all of you, my next question is: Do you have any suggestions on how to make the space feel more conhesive, while keeping within my constraints? Thanks again for your thoughts!

I love Bolero !! It says small and is heat tolerant. Cadiarose, I think because of some rose growing factor here, I never saw the pinkish coloring on Bolero. The pink is nice. My Bolero's did have the 140+ petals, old fashioned bloom form and lovely fragrance. Seeing your images reminds me that I must repurchase this rose!!! Lynn