It sounds like it's not about budget, so much as DIY. Everyone has a budget and the more you look, the more ideas you're going to get. Nothing is timeless, everything will seem dated and no one has the perfect kitchen...it doesn't exist. There may be a wonderful kitchen that is just right for you, but no kitchen is perfect for everyone and should be universally copied. And, if anyone feels embarrassed about posting their 'budget' kitchen, I don't think I've ever seen a finished kitchen criticized. It's done, the money is spent and everyone praises the positives and overlooks any negatives...as it should be. The only exception is a very nice, high budget kitchen that was criticized for being unrealistic to cook in. That was a little low, IMHO and I think the same care should be taken with all posters, regardless of budget. Of course, for a kitchen in progress, or initial plan....the comments might be a little more negative and direct. It's not too late to make a change and improve your function or layout. Also, everyone has materials they like and they often suggest others use them, because they've enjoyed them. That doesn't mean other choices are not equally wonderful, but they may not have experience with them. Just my two cents...and I think that's my current budget! LOL Good thing I already bought the paint and vinyl floor tiles. Yes, my kitchen is a low budget, fix up and I'm very excited. When I catch my breath (and my pocketbook recovers) from husband's illness...then my farmhouse remodel is the next kitchen. But, I plan to use formica, painted cabinets (would love to find some to reuse/unfitted) and white appliances, my bunny back splash tile...in other words 'low budget' but that's my vision. If I have $300 or $30,000 I would probably have the same vision :)

Thanks Alison! I actually found a picture in the "where do you put your recycling thread from lolauren that I think was really clever... I love this idea b/c it would make the trash accessible from the sink on the sink wall w/o having to step around the counter... I am going to check w/ our cabinet maker to see if this will work w/ a pull out bin that pulls out towards the front... of course I know it won't be able to pull out in both directions but even so it would be easier I think if there is some way to do it (I'm worried about how the glides would attach of course if that door is operable, but hopefully he can come up w/ something... IF it can work, I'll put a single door cabinet there I guess and then one to match on the other side of the drawers.

Yes! I used the wire hooks in my old kitchen, to hang cooking utensils next to the stove (they had to go on the side of a melamine cabinet). The hooks worked great and came off with no trouble when it was time. I just brought home a new batch of them yesterday to hang measuring cups and spoons on the door of my baking supplies cabinet. I saw that they have larger decorative hooks too, and I am contemplating using those to hang towels so I don't have to drill holes through the tile (whenever our tile gets installed...). Some of the big hooks are metallic, either chrome or brushed stainless or ORB-looking (some are made of actual metal too). I am thinking those might look nicer than the white plastic ones. I also probably need to retire the magnetic write-on wipe-off board that I keep on the fridge for jotting down grocery needs (the board is at least 15 years old and has ads for cattle vaccines on it). I already have some picture hanger things that I haven't used so I should probably move the grocery list to inside a cabinet door, maybe a pad with paper I can just tear off and take to the store. I saw the caddies you mentioned when I was getting the hooks at a local hardware store. The ones I saw were about the right size for sponges or scrubbies but without the vent holes at the bottom.

I showed this post to my husband and he reminded me that the kitchen is actually only 13x9, not 16x9 which it would have ended up if we had bumped it out like we did the dining room. I thought I should clarify in case anyone with a similar sized kitchen was wondering. marita40: I was originally going to use dal tile. Then we I got the door sample for my cabinets it just looked too white in comparison. So I looked at a lot of tile. I ordered samples from Anchor Bay, including the crackle, which is really pretty. But as Sweeby says, you have to stay with your vision, and mine was clean and simple, so I went with the solid glaze. I think the bisque gives the tile a slightly "older" look, and makes the contrast with the granite a little less severe. If you are considering the bisque, I would suggest ordering a square foot rather than just one tile, because it does trend (IMO) a little warm gray, rather than beige. And at $8.50 sf, it wasn't awfully expensive. mpmg36: I really think having a shallow pantry helps keep it organized. At one point in our planning we were trying to fit in a small walk in pantry, so at first I was a little disappointed with the idea of the shallow pantry. But I think in terms of function, it works better for me, and my kids, because we can tell what we have at a glance.