I kept hearing the male Yellow-throated Warbler singing out by the creek yesterday. It was warm and sunny, so I packed my backpack and started out the door with my camera, but no sooner did I step off the porch the sun disappeared. I then started up the mnt, but by the time I reached the first corner, a terrific electrical storm hit and I had to run back down the steep trail, covering my camera. It rained all night, too Sheesh! Pays to check weather.com first

GREAT PHOTOS, Feather. I especially like the Raven over water but all were wonderful. Got to see many birds that I'll never see in my area...thanks!

Thanks, everyone, for so many more very helpful suggestions and insights! Kren, thank you for all your suggestions, you've convinced me that it makes most sense to try to preserve the kitchen's current simple look. The houses's architect did make furnishings; some of these were shown at a display that I unfortunately missed; in photos, though, the furniture appeared a bit extreme. A wooden chair, for example, had a zig-zag support structure in place of legs. The emphasis seemed to be on douglas fir and redwood, as materials. Anyway, we're not going to be purchasing furniture any time soon, but your ideas sounded great! Mlchoisser, we had considered refacing the cabs a while back. Many of the cabinet interiors were okay; but some of the drawers have taken a beating over the years. The thing is, though, we can't reface because we're also planning to push one wall back, so its cabs will be demolished. The other issue would be matching new materials with the current oak cabs. (which raises a new issue, just realized: there is oak paneling throughout the living room, very visible from the kitchen) Buehl, the dynasty doors are excellent, i agree! And the door style you selected is so great! It's just that there's something about schuler's very matte look that grabs me. There's probably no difference in the finishes, in reality, but I don't dare start looking at dynasty doors again! Laurie, your cabinets are beautiful! It's such a relief to hear of your very positive experience! Daki, this weekend I'll upload some photos. It's encouraging to hear you say rustic and mid century modern can be combined. Bluekite, thank you for posting that link! That's very helpful!

Trailrunner - I have a bungalow too! A little ranch bungalow; about 1300 sq. ft. I will try to post some pics of it this week. I'm in NY, not far from NYC. I don't know if she's a gem -- maybe a semi-precious stone :) I love your marble coffee bar! I am now thinking of a marble shelf to the right of the second (big) window about a foot under the print on the wall. I am a coffee freak so I have various pots -- a french press, an espresso maker for the stove and then another small espresso machine with frother. I'd like to put them all on the marble shelf with cups -- all within reach and easy to just pick which kind of coffee and pot I want to use... Or I might put a completely different wall cabinet there with glass doors. I'm undecided and tired of making decisions and there's no rush. I just love marble though... love it to bits!