So many posts it may already have been said but... redroze, I like your thought about the candy jar because what I hear is this: if the comments are just snarky because lots of people (me!) feel insecure about our own messiness, you can't fix that. On the other hand, likely you do ( seeing as how you have friends over and are not a hermit) want to have a WELCOMING kitchen. So that is more of trying to please others when you are in the role of hostess, and certainly there are many ways to do that, some small touch that says, come in, sit down (or stand up!), I'm glad you're here. If it is possible to tell the difference--between something that someone is foisting on you as a control or jibe thing, vs. intentionally planning a little something that says welcome--then it seems the latter is where a lot of us would like to be. For example, the reverse is ,a kitchen or home that is really too messy, say, to sit down without squashing something or knocking things over or getting some undefined goo on oneself--that's not welcoming, either, but again, if someone drops in, so be it. I read some glossy magazine article by some experienced or well-known "hostess" about little touches for parties, and instead of it sounding nutso (like, "first create your own hand-made paper and then spend 5 days making individual origami party favors" ) , there were very good, small simple things that seemed to have good track record and are easy. I'm not saying you need to change anything at all, especially not saying that one has to be perpetually prepared with candles and a dish of nuts for a member of family or close friend dropping in --I'm just saying I liked your attempt to think, what might draw someone in, say "treat yourself here " and still be simple and neat.

gr8day ... the house is a 2 and a half story back split built in 1977. While I wanted all stone when it was built, cost considerations led me to settle for a stone front entry and massive interior stone fireplaces but the rest of the exterior is entirely brick. At the time no thought was really given to future matches of the brick for renovations and though I saved a half pallet of bricks, they were later used for repairs when the earthquake we had in the mid 80s cracked some brickwork in one corner of the house. Nothing is impossible of course but I don't really want to think about (or pay for!) the exterior architectural complications of moving the window. Given the basic plan that Lisa drew and incorporating Rhome's suggestions of maintaining the L shap from the earlier plan, I spoke to the gas appliance installation folks. The devil is always in the details. As a prelude to this renovation, I had gas installed this past summer and replaced the old furnace and water heater. My plan is to install a gas range that will give sufficient BTUs for high heat cooking since I stir fry often with woks. I haven't ordered yet but am prepared to place the order for a (Costco Canadian version) 36 inch BlueStar range. The installer told me that the local building code demanded that there be 36 inches vertical clearance and 18 inches horizontal clearance from the elements of a high output range to any combustible (ie cabinet) surface. He also recommended a 42 inch range hood and said 48 inches (900 cfm) would be much better for high heat frying. That would change the location of the microwave from between the fridge and range moving it perhaps back to the corner (angle mounted?) between the range and cleanup sink. Again a minor detail in the original plan but all requires thinking through. Lisa said it best ... dreaming and planning on paper is cheap. I really like the plan and am still working on the details which I roughly grouped into 1) cabinat details (cab choices and special features/inserts etc) 2) lighting and electrical requirements (I have made a first cut thinking about LED lighting) 3) structural details (I have thought of a way to frame in a second steel beam and elinate the posts for support at the end of the island)(plumbing appears straightforward) I am definitely a function kind of guy and have not worried a moment about decor ... but the ceiling will be a style problem for sure - it is 8' as that was the norm in the 70s and it will have an awkwardly placed 8 inch steel I beam to be framed and hidden ... the ceilings in this open planned house are all stippled ... but that is not an option for a kitchen ... in any case, there will need to be some thought given to that issue as well as of course cab style, hardware, floor finish, backsplash, and countertops. Regards ... Doug

Hi folks....thanks for the kind thoughts about the view. It is one of the things that ultimately sold us on the house (despite its dated, worn out feeling). plllog - yeah, my sketching ability is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. So, at any rate we met with the KD again tonight and settled on a door style/stain which is a huge accomplishment, but maybe that's another thread....but the short of it is, the Liberty doorstlye from Ultracraft in a Natural Cherry stain. We'll save money by dumping the glazing on either a wood door, or a painted white finish we had been planning on. Ultracraft changed how they're doing the glazing and its much heavier than a few years ago. The white doors are a much less "matte" finish and had a sheen that we didn't like. We also elimiated dentil molding we didn't like and a lot of fluted trims that while they were nice cost $$$$ and are not really our taste. One of the things the KD immediately pointed out about this is that its big island and cleaning the center would be a chore. He's right, and I joked that I'd have to hang from the ceiling a la Tom Cruise in the first Mission: Impossible move. So, we discussed some changes and it looks like we're going to wind up with an island that's sort of shaped like a grand piano where the "keys" would be is the prep area and the island is shaped like the body of the piano. We'll still have some shallow depth cabinets underneath for all the occassional use items we have. We also changed the layout of the "arm of the island. The beverage fridge will now go on the north (top) wall where the 33" base cabinet is (by the door to the yard) with the remaining cabinet a narrow 9" door for bag storage (the reusable grocert type, etc). The MW drawer will go where the beverage fridge was and we'll replace the MW base and 15" cabinet with a 36" wide drawer base for plates and utensils. The remaining 24" space will be left open as a push in spot for a stool where my wife can sit at meals while the kids and I sit on the curve of the piano. This arrangement also puts a stool nearer the prep area for a helper or guest. So, it feels good to get something accomplished including starting to determine where everything will have a home in the new space. I should have the new drawings next week and will post...here is a reminder of the layout (sans changes from today) and a grand piano from above to imagine the island shape.

Just had a thought for a narrow marble shelf that won't break the bank... I was browsing at Home Depot the other day and saw the marble thresholds that are used to transition floor finishes at the door. I picked up one that is 6" x 36" x 3/8" for about $12. They also had 4" x 24" and 4" x 36" pieces. Those have a little bit of a beveled edge and were about 1/2" thick. The one I bought is marked Bianco Carrara but they had another, more tan, type also. I am hoping (hoping!) the tile guy can trim this down a little bit to make a small shelf above the range for salt & pepper, etc. (If not, I have the receipt!) I think the HD guy thought I was a little crazy when I had all of their thresholds spread out on the floor so I could choose the "prettiest" one. It is pretty - nice veining, etc. Some were not so nice so I am glad I took the time to choose the best one.