lyfia, thanks, and we agree. The glass company said building codes only require us to use safety (tempered) glass for the two end panels; the center three could be annealed, if the glass started 18" off the floor. How crazy is that? We'd never want to take that risk, either. Yikes. Fortunately the bid for tempered glass was only about 15% higher than annealed glass (which really surprised me.) So we'd only consider tempered 1/4" if we use glass. Laminated glass (with the plastic skin in the middle) would be the safest, but it's super pricey. I think safety glass would be OK. Another option is 1/4" plexiglass, which I think would work as a substrate for the glass mosaic, as long as I didn't go too big with the panels. (I think big plexi panels might flex, which isn't good for a grouted mosaic...?) At some point I need to go ask the folks in the stained glass/mosaic forum here. So far the pricing for thick plexiglass seems comparable to tempered glass. There would still be small grouted glass pieces on one side of the divider (we could put it on the low traffic side) but I don't think the surface would be risky for kids, since all the sharp edges would be embedded in grout. And it would be pretty hard to break. We considered colored plexiglass panes too, but it just seems so "mod" for the informal, earthy textures in the house. Colored tempered glass and frosted tempered glass are way too expensive (pushing $1000 just for the frosted glass idea, for five 5' panels.) I considered frosted films and frosted spray paint, but I think those ideas have a limited life span (especially if the house has active kids) since the spray frostings can scratch off. And DH keeps wishing for color, and he's got me agreeing. It has to be somewhat transparent or it blocks too much light. So, now considering a fairly open wooden framework, with smallish glass mosaic panels scattered. Still playing with ideas...!

I'm doing two kitchens at this point...one at a very low budget (reusing the cabinets and finding some additional in the other rooms of the house to add to those) and one that's lavish by any standards, but as plllog says, it's my dream kitchen and I want what I want. I enjoy BOTH challenges. No matter how high the budget, the decisions are just as difficult. And some of my favorite pieces in the kitchen are actually the ones I really got a steal on (for instance the 1930's chandeliers which I purchased on ebay and refinished myself). I enjoy that kind of challenge. But the fun in both of these kitchens is that given a few restrictions (size, budget, etc) I still can be pretty darned creative because neither house is restricting in style. So in one I'll have my chicken mosaic and in the other, heck I've always thought mahogany cabinets were a splurge, but that's what I get to start with :) Now back to the important part of this post...the speakers! Mine are all wrapped around the "wood like substance frame" (which sticks out of the wall about four inches) with wallpaper to match the decor of the room. This includes large pink and green flowers, gold flocked foil and some beige and gold foil spinx's (I think that's what they are). This place was the HEIGHT of style when it was built :) And dang it makes me giggle! I'm sure the same will be said of my bathroom when I leave...."WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS????? SHE USED CROCODILE TILE IN CHOCOLATE BROWN!!! 24x24!!!! THEY"RE HUGEEEEEE!!!!!" And while I live with them I'll love them LOL To each their own :)

cmarlin, a "typical ranch" IS MCM. Sure, there were very grand MCM houses designed with large budgets in mind, with sprawling floor plans and indoor atriums, but many, many MCM homes are what you are calling the tyical ranch. YES. The typical ranch. Beloved by many lovers of MCM. Open floor plan, big windows, elongated style, low roofline. The typical ranch is near and dear to many an MCM fan's heart, and "dressing it" as such, will compliment the style much better than will shabby chic or country. The OP mentions the value of the un-updated ranch, so OP recognizes that people love this style. I don't know the CA market. At all. But a hot-or-not real estate market does not change what the house is. Saying this 50's ranch is not MCM is silly. Because it's a tract house? The very fact that it's a 50's ranch with an open floor plan makes it MCM style. Don't forget that the beloved bungalow was once cheap tract housing for the masses, just like the smaller mcm ranches. Joanna Mid-Century Modern describes a different house, the typical ranch I've seen, I've seen many in Southern California is not modern in style, yes more modern than colonial or victorian, but I know buyers in Upland are not interested in MCM decor. Big windows and open floor plans describes a MCM, not a ranch. The typical MCM is plentiful in the Palm Springs area. But if you consider it a MCM and want to buy it and decorate it with MCM, decor the OP will be thrilled for you!! I do know the Southern CA market, and the local area of the OP, I own an apartment building in Upland. The entire area used to be citrus ranches, cleared and built for the baby boomer's coming into this world, many built at the same time and style. I agree with youngdeb, especially with the 2bdr, price it low, get and stay ahead of the competition. Keep it clean and simple. I usually suggest staging and more work, but it won't overcome the 2 bdr problem.

Thank you so much for all the kind words, your interest and your support! I have been on this board for 3 years...just not recently. I took a break from these boards a little while ago, just because I was kind of getting depressed at all the gorgeous kitchens! I admit, I even felt a little jealousy! Then just recently I stopped coming because we had already made our decisions and I did not want to get confused or torture my DH with some possible tweaks and changes. I am so happy to see some familiar names here on this thread. I know this sounds cheesy, but all the kind comments almost made me get teary eyed. Like I said before, this really is the only material thing I have wanted for a long time. But I know that Gardenwebbers on the kitchen forum know that a kitchen is not a material thing ONLY...for folks like us it is (cliche time, sorry) "the heart of the home." I have been cooking incredible meals and/or entertaining non stop. It is such a joy and pleasure to me. outsideplaying-thanks for your comments and for your excitement for me! Maine_Mare-That is good to hear! He actually did not even do these as well as he could have, because he truly thought they would be in for a few months. Where he adhered the counters to the undermount sink, you can see some clear caulking. Also, the end of the peninsula has a gap where he came up a little short! But next time, he will do an even better job and if we can keep them for 7 years like you...then we will be doing great! But I am fine the way they are, truly. Very minor flaws. frmrsdghtr-I really really do not have an estimate. I think my husband said awhile ago that the cabs were about 5k? I could be wrong, and he just said that figure off the top of his head. Thanks for the compliment! Hi colorfast! Your kitchen is lovely, too! Originally we wanted wood stained cabinets, but the darkness of the kitchen (no natural light) plus wood floors and a desire to have butcher block counters (eventually) made us rethink that! I never dreamed I would have white cabinets, because I lived in a townhouse for 14 years with white formica cabs and I wanted a big change from that. I am happy with our white now, tho! I have considered SS for the hood and I have seen your style before, but for some reason I am stuck on white. I attached a link below of an idea, although I have heard mixed reviews of that futuro futuro company. I *really* liked some of their other styles. They look more like light fixtures than hoods. onedogedie-thank you for being so kind about my long post! It's true, it was such a crazy and long journey, it seemed it warranted a little more than "here is my kitchen!" I have read so many "finished kitchen" posts here, and whether long or short, I like the ones where I can *feel* the pride in the post! I wonder why plywood is not mentioned more often as an alternative, whether temporary or more long term? I just never hear it mentioned and thought my hubby was crazy when he told me that was what he was going to do. I had no idea it would look so nice. As a matter of fact, even he gets a little frustrated when the first thing people notice when they walk into the kitchen is the countertop! LOL. Good idea about the kick plate, I will mention it to my hubby. Thank you CEFreeman! :) Lake_Girl-Ohhh, you should see what he is doing with the chicago brick pavers that are the walkway in front of the barn! They were put in half assed by previous owners, so he has his paving equipment here at the house and is using fill and making it look PRETTY. A total do-over. My friends ask me if he can do stuff at their house (they are willing to pay, of course) but I say NO WAY...he still has too much to do here! I think we compliment each other well because I NEVER nag him. To be honest, there are some other things I think he should be doing rather than the brick pavers...but I also know that feeling when I feel "inspired" to do a project and I wouldn't want someone nagging me to do something else instead. mmhmgood-lol, inside the cabs we left it the natural wood color! So that is what you are seeing, it isn't orange, LOL. I can see how it looks that way, but heck, even *I* am not that daring or funky! lol rhome-I had posted to you awhile ago about the oven. Your comments made me VERY excited. So far I love it. Do you think if I do not use the self clean mode, I will be ok with the blue porcelain? Or do you think I will have issues either way? I will try to find out about the door, but I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be pricey. It doesn't bother me *that* much. Thank you for your comments and help! marti8-he had ear plugs in. He had already purchased that tile chipper years ago. he said it does chip up thinset, but you have to use a different blade. Thanks for the comments! Thank you soooo much, gscience, catlover, About togetdusty and KrisMA! Here is a link that might be useful: