Before/after videos online so I wouldn't have to post so many pictures. (First two of grandson, skip to videos 3 & 4) Https://vimeo.com/user12732009/videos 1. Experimented (Mar. 2013) inside one door; days later it passed scratchtest. Eight months later cabinets like new. I had all materials from previous project so cabinet project cost nothing. 2. Removed doors, drawers, knobs, very light sanding outsides only, very little ebony stain, one coat semi gloss poly clear coat. Took 4 days, 3. Bought and stained oak molding for soffet, light oak, then ebony; perfect match. Cut scallops off the over-sink trim, and tossed the railing on hood vent and soffet. Spent money on labor and material to finish project. 4. Blue storm laminate FX180; large pieces were costly but I had no expensive corner cuts (so no seams), saved $$ using plain edges, more realistic anyway. PS got moving packet from postoffice and used the included Lowes 10% off coupon (on countertop). 5. A friend removed and repurposed old countertop (no removal or dump fees). 6. Designed my backsplash and had it put over old laminate back splash. Large tile over stove was $300 display, I paid $50. Plus I saved on glass tile that would have been used instead. My kitchen isn't as dark as it appears in videos. Hubby was very repentant for yelling that I would surely ruin the cabinets. Here is a link that might be useful: none

I have wool rugs, and they hold up very well to kids and pets. If you get any kind of pattern, even if it’s light in color, they hide stains. If you don’t mind spending the money for handwoven wool, they are really pricey though, you can keep them forever because they can be cleaned. Otherwise tufted wool works well too. I have a couple tufted rugs that are 10 years old and still have life left. I personally bought a secondhand handwoven wool rug from a very wealthy woman who had had no pets. The rug was in perfect condition...it’s probably at least $2k rug, and i bought it for $150. I had it professionally cleaned when I first bought it, and since then have cleaned it myself every spring with my bissell carpet cleaner. I pick a warm day, powerwash an area of the driveway so it’s clean, and I clean it and then let it dry completely in the sun before bringing it inside. I do the same to my tufted rugs. If you want a trendier rug, that won’t last as long but will be much less expensive, you could just do that as well. There are plenty of options on overstock. An indoor/outdoor rug may work too, but they’re not very soft.

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Here it is with the wallpaper and new bulbs, which echo the ones over the kitchen bar which is similar to the console. I know the chandelier isn't a showstopper, but do like the way everything relates to each other, and am thrilled to just have the house done. Thank you, rred, for all the help and suggestions!