For the most part, we have the mixed blessing/curse of sugar sand. Which makes it really easy to dig out sand to create raised bed. So, I might dig out 6" then put in a 4" edge and have a 10" 'raised' bed. Plus, as permanent plantings grow in; I have sneaky plans to raise the height of the current beds. I guess it is time to go get some current shots. But, this will give some ideas for what I have done so far. Tis all a learning experience, but even in my 'hood there have been no complaints about veggies in the front yard. Heck, most of the people don't realize the garden is a veggie garden. The best advice I can give you is - don't plant in rows or squares. Mix it up. Though, I do have to say it makes planning a challenge. To the lower left, you can see one of my new beds where I am experimenting with tiers, to allow me to get more depth in parts of the garden. On the left, you can see the other section of the new bed. It is still marinating and is currently holding pots. I am planting a perennial border around the bed, and once it has taken on good growth then I will raise this bed another 6". In the background center you can see a raised bed created with large field stone. Here is an older picture that shows a bit more of the overall form. I try to avoid square/rectangular boxes. I do have them, but then they have outer areas that are bordered with 'sexy curves'. Or meandering pathways. I would love to be able to do all our raised beds in stone, or something more architecturally interesting. Not in the cards for us right now, so I am working to grow visually pleasing plants on the borders. I have tried to place my 'bones' of the garden so there will be something pleasing to see even when no edibles are present. Bones can be hardscape, paths, perennials. I am working on having edges be mostly flowering annuals, bulbs or something with interesting borderish color. Then for the edibles, mix it up. And let stuff bolt; the flowers and seed pods add interest to the garden. I think. I'm still learning a lot myself. Experiment and see what works. Having a planting plan and plants growing up to go in harvested spots is my current challenge. Lack of full sun gardening spots is only part of my challenge. The other is funky mobility. So, I have wide paths and I have as many things I can spread around to grab hold of for balance and to lean my crutches against. It all works to add to the cottage'ie feel of the veggie garden though ... at least I tell myself. ~dianne

Thank you for asking and showing interest! The house will be done in 3 weeks, but weather hasn't cooperated so we don't have a driveway or walkway. We'll likely wait to move after that - I can't imagine putting the galloshes on myself and the kids to leave every day!! I was kind of holding out on more pics for the kitchen for the big 'reveal' (hee hee), but I'll show you since you asked! Do post pics of whatever your choice is - either color would look so nice with CE (just a stunning peice of stone!!) Really messy, but shows the lights going up!

I'm the one who bought the former kitchen display. My dishwasher will be flanked by a 24" 3 drawer bank on the left and the sink cabinet on the right. I will have a curtain instead of doors under the apron sink. At this point I don't know if I have any preference looks wise. That why I wanted to see the real life combos. Thank you so much for posting your pictures. They are a great help. Just seeing the stand alone dishwasher pictures on google doesn't show me how it will look in relation to other cabinets. If I go with the 1 drawer and 2 door combo, I'll just need to buy 1 drawer face. I had a 24" cabinet with this combo, but I used the drawer in my oven cabinet. If I go with the other combos, I have to buy them. I can make my final decision later on in the process, but I'm trying to work up my budget now.

Geezelouise, all your hutches are so pretty! (Sigh!) After seeing the hutches here, I want to just gut mine and have it totally rebuilt. Acountryfarm, please post more pics of your home as you complete it, will you? Your built-ins are wonderful! We had a smallish built-in hutch put is when this place was built 15 yers ago. It really needs to be replaced or updated, but, after living through a complete kitchen gut and reno last Autumn, I'm so NOT ready to live with a work crew again for a long while! The cabinet guy gave me a quote for a much bigger one in the same cherry cabinetry as our kithen cabs: $16,500 . . . not including labor! Needless to say, we passed. But, I am ready for a small DIY revamp on it this Autumn. What I like about mine is the Talavera tile counter top and it's pull-out shelves below. What I want to change is . . . everything else (LOL)! I'm going to restain it a mahogany to better match the new table. Hopefully add lights to the insides; change out the wood shelves for glass for better showcasing my antique china. I dislike the upper doors as they hide too much of my china. I'd like to replace them. My two big shallow drawers hold napkins, which is nice. Just things to consider when you're out looking for a hutch for your own dining room. I wish I would have spent more time planning mine before we committed!