I agree, it doesn't look treated. My hubby is a builder by trade, and he knows better.... but I still asked him when I saw the lumber in the back of the truck. But once we got working with it...it's sticky, wet, green gobs in spots...must have been very freshly treated, perhaps the color hasn't sunk in yet? Not sure? A friend of mine just put in stairs too, and I asked her if she used treated wood, as hers looks like mine. Here, she got it from the same place (where we always get our wood). The floor was actually done last year, it's darker in color as it's weathered, too. The skirting was hubby's idea, and I LOVE it! We had woodchucks building dens underneath there....ground squirrels under there....I knew it was going to be a problem. He dug a trench and dug the skirting in well. The steps were also his idea, I'm not sure if I like them or not...we already had the materials for them, so didn't spend anything to put them in (concrete blocks with the pavers inside). Sure, they're solid, and everyone who sees them loves them...maybe they'll grow on me. There are a couple of gaps that need to be filled in, as you can see in the pics. I was gone for the past couple days, just got home, and see he tilled my planting area around the deck now...so the rest is up to me! I think what I may do is go to a few local places, and see what they have left, locally. Perhaps I'll come home with something...perhaps not. I saw a spirea last week at one place I really liked, but they only had one left, and I'd want two. As far as spirea, I kinda like the ones with the darker leaves, not the light green or yellow leaved ones...which they had lots of those. So.....we'll see what I find! Garden centers around here have all their stuff clearance priced now....may be slim pickin's! Angie

Hi ajsmama! First off, let me say that I think your kitchen is going to look wonderful once you are finished. I haven't read every single response so someone may have mentioned this already. Have you thought of adding a different light above your sink to add interest and, perhaps, draw attention away from those things you don't particularly like? In our new house, we have a similar set up to yours in that the window over the sink is between two sets of cabinets. We opted not to have any kind of connecting piece. We also opted not to have crown (1) because we were going for a very simplistic/craftsman style and (2) budget constraints just did not allow for it at the time. However, we've since come to the conclusion that we DO want to add a very simple crown when we are able to save up for it. It just adds so much character! With our window, we chose a mini pendant light that matches the ones from our island. I really like the look and I get lots of compliments about it. As for WTs, I hung a valance there and I also intend to put a roman shade behind it just to be able to pull down for privacy and for when the sun is shining in too brightly. We already have it, it is just a matter of actually getting it put up there! I'll post a picture. It's definitely not the best picture but I dropped my camera a couple of months ago while it was on and now it doesn't work. I've definitely got to get some more up-to-date pics loaded. Anyway, whatever you do, I'm sure your kitchen will be lovely!

Paintergirl - The rug is in and it looks fabulous! And it was on sale - originally $100 and got it for $75! *high fives you* Yes- we have a Michaels here and it's pretty close by. The painting is 36X36, so how long would the panels have to be? The drawing looks fab, but the chair would be a lot taller than the panel on the left-hand side. Do we shorten the panel, or would it still be okay? I asked my husband if he could make a frame and he wasn't sure if he could make it perfect. He is semi-handy, but it is not his area of expertise. And I am no help....lol. Lisa - Thanks for all of the compliments. And I am so lucky to have these wonderful people to help me with the room. I never expected this much help and I am beyond thankful! The loveseat is a little longer than the wall, but the furniture is temporary. I will be getting new stuff in about a year or 2. We need the seating since we are a family of 4 and we all like to lay on the furniture. lol. The wall color is Teal Stencil from Sherwin Williams. And there are two chairs - I brought the other one up from the basement. If I can't make the wall easily enough, I may hang "the kiss" on the right side of the tv. I will then have to figure out what to put above the loveseat. lol. Thanks again all! Extra special super duper thanks to Paintergirl! ;-)

I printed out some hex graph paper and tried making fleur-de-lis by coloring in selected hexes. Was I pleased with the result? Well, yes, as in, I was pleased that I could do it at all. but not that the result was particularly pleasing. Sure, they looked like fleur-de-lis, in the same way that looks like a Space Invader. If the motif is to remain on the floor, the wood or marmoleum inlays seem like the remaining choices. Both would allow the design to be small, subtle, and accurate. That does seem like a positive - especially as, I now realize, the center of the floor will indeed be obscured by table or island. If other than on the floor, then where? Drawer pulls seem an easy and attractive solution. I won't have a backsplash, but could lightly stencil the wall. If I have glass doors, then that would be a nice location. None of those would be indelible, which might make a real estate agent happy someday. I don't want people to walk into the kitchen and say, ''what, are these people descended from French royalty? Off with their heads!'' but rather would like just a subtle scent of lily.