How do you remove the ugly '70s raised trim on the cabinet door (looks like one that Irmaly posted above)? A chisel? I don't know if I have it in me to do this big job, but the kitchen cabinets I have are hideous. They look just like some of the examples shown, including that skinny trim, so I'm considering taking on the project. The insides are awful and feel like rough plywood. Anyone have any suggestions on freshening up the insides without sanding and doing multiple coats of paint? Thank you! -Ruth

Pillog, you are right on. The other half of "we" is DH. He immediately got on board, no hesitation, when I told him I was thinking of woodgrain instead of white. You're also right that whatever makes a "happy wife" is good by him. ("Happy wife, happy life" -- something a husband on "Househunters" said.) I like your way of thinking on including him. Jenny, I'm so glad you mentioned no oil base on the floor because I was planning to have them use oil-based Duraseal this time, thinking it would look richer. Thanks again to all. I/"we" are still sorting this out and will let you know what we decide. Still have to learn to post pictures. I'm not comfortable with the fact that my photos apparently have to be available on the general internet, as in photobucket. Correct me if I'm wrong about this.

Your photos intrigued me so I did some Googling on stencils. Here's some links I found, so I hope you find them helpful. I think you could turn your kitchen into a beautiful example of stenciled cabs with some time and effort: Photos: http://www.stencilsearch.com/articles/kitchen-cabinets.html http://www.walltowallstencils.com/gallery/pages/kitchens.php HGTV has lots of articles on stenciling which can be applied to cabinets: http://search.hgtv.com/hgtv/stenciled-cabinets/search.do?searchType=Aggregate How-to article, no photos: http://home.howstuffworks.com/guide-to-decorating-wooden-furniture-ga4.htm Stencil design ideas: http://www.stencilsource.com/ideas.html An outstanding old home with magnificent stencils and a full set of photos and articles: http://designinspiration.typepad.com/design_inspiration_planet/a_tour_of_the_stencilled_home/ Dover Publications has a long list of stencil pattern books for inspiration. Their website isnÂt very good  hereÂs a search for "stencils", but remember to click on the "more results" button on the bottom to continue reading the full list of what they have available: http://search.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=doverpublications&query=stencils

I spent the better part of the weekend tiling in order to fill most of the void, so I can check this one off the list! Waiting to hear from KD re: cabinet installation. We've done all the prep work on this end -- wiring for UCL, wiring for new appliances, painting, sheetrock repair, etc. However, life did come to a screeching halt today...I'm posting this from a hotel room 2.5 miles from our house. Earlier this evening, DH shut off the main breaker to the house to replace one of the other breakers...routine stuff. But when he flipped the main breaker back on, nothing...nada...crickets. (Yes, he did flip the switch to full off, then back on again several times.) With 95+ degree days lately, no way we could stay in the house for very long, even in the evenings. Emptied the fridge and freezer contents into coolers, and off we went. DH is surfing the net, trying to find a local electrical supply house that carries one of these breakers; scheduling the electric company to come out and disconnect the power is a whole other matter entirely. Sigh...one step forward, one step back.