We have both a compactor and disposal. Most food items go down the disposal, those that don't go into a small bag and get tossed outdoors into the big trash cans. Our compactor is 25 years old and is still running well. I've greased the screw drives once. (We've only owned the house less than a year.) We never put glass objects or perishable items in the compactor. You know that the compactor is going to allow you to go longer without removing the trash, so why put anything in it that would stink? Duh. Ours fills up with papers, packaging, empty (clean) containers, etc. We don't have any recycling requirements here, so paper, plastic and metal cans are landfill. I love the compactor precisely because I can go longer without having to take the trash out. I hate taking it out, and usually forget. Going three weeks before emptying the compactor is not unheard of. Our area is looking into charging for garbage by the number of bags / cans, so squishing a lot of compactable goodies into one bag is a great idea. Our unit was made by Frigidaire in 1982; back when they made things well, I suppose.

Wow - thanks everyone for some great ideas! Funny that painted conduit with finials and painter's drop canvas can actually substitute and look so good. One would have to find them completely seamless however - (some say Home Deport sells them this way) There's so many ideas to consider here. The issue with the old valances are - dated, tacky, giant/bulky, obtrusive, poorly executed - so trying to salvage them somehow just seems to be a waste of time and work IMHO, though some people may love them... I think pulling those down and live with it to see how we use the blinds - will be key. I suspect we will never close them - day or night. If that's the case then all we'll want to do is take them down and dress it up with dummy panels on each side for a nice finished look. That would also save a lot of money. I too, really liked the look of the curtains that go all the way up to the ceiling (1st idea I posted). while you maybe can't tell from the photos, these rooms have high ceilings. Due to the height, custom panels made may be the most economical option. Glue gun, no-sew iron-on hem adhesive, or sewing machine maybe... Canvas material would go well for the panel's look, as would anything like jute, sisal, bamboo - really any sort of airy/earthy "texture" category fabrics. Washable would be amazing! The white tile and red carpets are coming out. In place - dark wood floors, and a tan berber/sisal carpet area in the family room area... This post was edited by karyn on Sat, Jul 27, 13 at 4:59

I've had my haefele foot pedal on the trash drawer for 4 1/2+ years now. It took me a while to get used to using the pedal so I used the pull a bunch of times at the beginning. And yes, guests usually just use the pull too. I've not yet had a problem (knock on wood). I do think that using the pedal is preferrable. I've read that comment about it being bad to use the pull here several times, but I think that would only really hurt it if you did it habitually as opposed to occasionally when guests do it. Tam, I would try to get your family to use it. I'm not sure how tight you have the bungee cord attached, but my drawer doesn't come bounding out with any great force. It opens to about half way so that the trash can is fully exposed and the back recycle bin is only about an inch exposed. I often stand in front of it deliberatly as it is opening so that it hits my leg, so I can throw something away without looking, and it just gently taps my leg. If I want to get out of the way as it's opening, it's not like I have to quickly leap away to avoid getting hit. It seems like your daughter could learn to get out of the way, I think.

I changed a cabinet with a broken door to a cabinet with a shelf in my basement kitchenette. I did stain a couple of pieces of face frame to match the stain of the cabinets. I also have done the curtain - just make sure it is on an easy to move rod. I am not certain how that would work in a smaller area such as yours or the style of your kitchen. It is a rustic look in mine, but using a different type of fabric can change up the style. It looks a little dark in this pic, but the cabinet to the right without a door - added some face frame and two baskets - they are dark colored baskets. https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573