We are doing frameless on the perimeter (we have little "fillers" between each cabinet so it looks like more of a framed look-- the Crown Point designer suggested this and it looks really good. We are getting inset on our island. Almost went with inset in our hutch-like baking center as well, but I keep a lot of flour around (150+ lbs at a time) and really need all the storage space I can get in that zone.

"So it's become a choice between paying someone or not having it done at all." I'm limited physically too (and often mentally - lol!). you might have to find someone and pay them to do some things for you. Ask around with your friends for a young guy (HS or college maybe? at a church?) who needs to make some money. Make a list of priority things that need done and try to squeeze out 30-50.00 for a few hours of work. I hired a few guys to do a some things and got ripped off. That put me off for some time in getting more done. I finally connected with a young man (29) who has done work for my sister over the past 15 yrs. She knows his parents (I've been to their house). Even as a teenager he was huge and strong - and she wanted him to do mostly outside work. A lot of rock moving - her land is very rocky. He still does that for her some Sundays. He comes here on Saturdays for 3-5 hrs. He's done a ton of work around here - putting up shelves (taking some down), fixing cabinets, doors, locks, putting down some flooring, moving things around, caulking windows and doors. He also does 'low and high' things for me like caulking around bottom shelves of cabs, cleaning off high shelves and putting things up there. It keeps me from falling off of a step stool or being stuck on the floor until someone eventually finds me there... He's put up curtain rods, replaced my water pump, laid out and connected hoses for future plantings (that he'll do), cleaned up weeds and 'construction' type litter around here. He's even worked on my car. I'm finding it not as easy recently to lift the hood of my car to check water, put in pwr steering fluid etc. He's done some plumbing and some electrical work too. He's quick to tell me if it's something he can't do rather than say he can and mess it up. He's great on figuring things out (more creative and logical than my old brain these days) and problem solving around here. He's been working most Saturdays since last fall and there's enough work here for him for another year I'm sure. He isn't a speed demon but he is dependable, methodical, careful etc - which is much better. He works a full time job during the week but is saving up to buy some land up north of here by the end of the year. He's happy to have the odd jobs - close to his home, a friendly boss (me) who gives him things (ice cream maker, dishes, scrap metal, old appliances, a vacuum (too heavy for me to even move but they are young and strong and have a 2 story house)). He isn't obligated to be here every single Sat or at a certain time. I always tell him that his family comes first so when a family doings is on Sat he shouldn't be here, he should be with them. Financially I need to limit it to maybe 2 Saturdays a month now. In the summer my electric bill skyrockets and that will take priority for several months. I also need to save up for more flooring. Maybe you can find someone like this that you can trust who would like a few flexible hours to work around another job, school activities or studies.

Mike, I am sure it can work, but was hoping some one here could share their experience with it, I don't think I can afford the jackhammering, I am on a very strict budget with this small remodel. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions though! emily mb, LOL, "chrome/SS dancer pole", Ha, not at my age. My kitchen will be of the traditional look, so I think I am safe and won't be putting out any amourous vibes with the squared wood/drywall with moulding look. :)

lynninnewmexico - Please show us a close-up of what you have done. Does your fireplace have an electrical outlet? I think mine does, but would have to rummage through the fake ash to see. Since my fireplace is unusable, I have been keeping candles in mine and only light it when we have company. I would love to use the lights! I have the glass blocks with white lights for Christmas decorating on my porch, but saw an idea in Southern Living where they had filled different sized glass cylinders with tiny white lights. I liked that look and think it would work in the fireplace. Natal - Wrapping or stringing lights along the logs is also a great idea! Do you use the green strings, white strings, or is there a brown string of lights? OK, my decorating "quirk" is to make sure all the pictures/paintings on the wall are straight. I am always checking. itsawrap and beekeeperswife - I also fold the toilet paper when we are having company. The funny thing is that I don't like to use that part of the TP when I see it somewhere else. Means that someones hands have been on it already. YIKES!