My kitchen is very light-filled, as I have large windows on 2 sides of it and a window wall in the connecting family room. I also have high wood ceilings with beams and carved corbels, so unlike Beekeeperswife (gorgeous kitchen BTW!), I wanted to add decorative things above my cabs to draw the eye up to the ceiling detail. This hood over my cooktop is the main focal point (other than the mountain views out my windows). Although I didn't have them when I took the above pic, I now have two of these large green pots on the cabs flanking the hood. I like that they're rather simple, as they don't compete with the hood, but do add pops of color up there. In the far, formerly boring corner, I painted this antique window to resemble those at the famous "Inn at The End of The Santa Fe Trail", the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza in Santa Fe. And, on another wall, above my fridge and ovens, I have these pots, chunky candles and angel santos. There's built-in lights up there, too, to light all of my things at night. Lynn

If you're worried about yanking out the valance, just get a new fluorescent fixture. My old kitchen had one of those with the plastic sheet over a very retro tube and it was nasty yellow but otherwise a great fixture. New diffuser and new bulbs (and maybe new fixture to get modern fluorescent bulbs) can make a big difference. It's actually a pretty good system as far as useful lighting goes, although there is no decorative element involved. I skipped the valance after the remodel and put in a surface mount can sort of fixture (still fluorescent); in a more traditional kitchen I would have (and have) done a pendant because they're fun. You can pretty much put in anything with good lighting that won't hang low enough to bonk your noggin. Get something that makes you smile. With good output.

I don't know what finish hardware you are doing, but your choices sound very classic. What color cabinetry are you doing? Sounds to me like you would be most comfortable with a vertically mounted pull. Is this correct? Check out the link below, specifically the Karen Bale kitchen that uses strap hinges as accent pieces on the barn door cabinetry. Would you consider an accent piece--along the lines of Loves2cook's kitchen but keeping with your style? I am not sure of all the elements in your kitchen, but how about an iron forged grip--bold yet traditional: iron grip Here is a link that might be useful: karen bale kitchen

The drawer is 20-1/2" wide inside, and the jars are just slightly over 2", so they fit with a tiny amount of wiggle room. If I push them to one side, there's less than 1/4" gap. I haven't used them yet to see how well they work. The lids are very tight- once you think they are on, you can give them another 1/4 turn, and I'm sure they will be quite tight. I actually hope they loosen a bit with use, as I don't know if my wife has the grip strength to open them. We keep our bulk spices in the freezer. We buy them from sources such as Penzey's, and try to buy a 6-12 month supply, although some things rarely get used. I make a lot of spice mixtures for different cuisines and BBQ, plus we wind up with things like 6 different varieties of salt. I made a quick list, and came up with about 80 different spices and mixtures, so it's not as crazy as it seems. Filling and labeling is going to be a project! I have surgery coming up, and will be restricted to 'light duty' for as long as two months, so this is one of many projects I've lined up for that time. I have a P-Touch labeler which is fantastic, but the labels get expensive. I want to label the jar, the lid, and a board under the jar so we know where to put them back. I might line the bottom of the drawer with 2" wood squares which I can label, but still re-arrange should the need arise.