Well, when I built my house I did not want the appliances taking over the kitchen so I had one of those hydraulic lift shelves for my Kitchen-Aid Mixer. A wonderful thing and then I bought more appliances. So here is how mine is laid out: To the right of the sink is the coffee maker, electric kettle and food processor (finally convinced DH to put up the espresso maker). To the left is a deruta crock that holds my scrub brushes. I am looking for an appropriate container to keep the lotion, dish soap, and hand soap together in a neat group (thinking wire basket). In my prep area is my knife block and another crock holding silicone spatulas, whisks, and a microplane grater. When I am cooking I do not want to search through a drawer. The blender will be moved back here (it is used at least 5 times a week, I don't care to move it around too much). Next to my cooktop is another crock holding wooden spoons, metal spoons, and more whisks (cooking is serious and I want it all there when I want it, no fishing around in drawers). On another counter is my grain mill. It is used a couple of times a week and hauling it out is a pain. This time of the year there are also seed trays in any available space of the kitchen. I did get an under-cabinet CD player which is lovely.

Boxie-babe, Are you planning on having a light rail to 'hide' the side profile of the pucks. Which I agree 'do look ugly'. My DH is planning on enclosing the pucks and wiring with a panel stained to match the cabinets, and with holes cut out for the puck. So, if anyone laid on my counters and looked up (hee hee), all they would see would be the round light, much like a recessed light in the ceiling. Haven't done it yet, as panel to hide wiring is an extra peninsula back which we holding in reserve till our granite is replaced (just in case!). Once done, will post pics.

We live in N.J. and did the bulk of our remodel last summer, but it was a full year to get to the point weÂre currently at. We were without a stove for 10 months, and without a sink for 8 months. We took out a wall to create one large space-$0 The electric in this wall was moved to an adjoining wall-$0 Laid cypress wide plank flooring-approx $300 Cherry cabs, Medallion, cherry-$4100 GE Café dual fuel-$1700 Kobe hood-$700 Tikor sink-$150 Kohler Simplice faucet-$130 Island (a repurposed 2 piece hutch)-$300 I am very proud of this! ï Custom cherry island top-$800 We installed this ourselves. Cable lights above island and under cab lights-$240 Fridge bought 3 years ago as a scratch and dent-$900 Dishwasher bought new 4 years ago-$0 A very generous gift! Granite counter-$2200 Our remodel took so long because we did all of the work except for running the LP line(stove), installing the granite, and making the cherry island top. The backsplash and a custom pantry unit (to be built next to fridge) are currently on hold as DH lost his job wayyyyy back in Sept.(right after we had paid for our remodel!) I love, love, love this post, but it takes me an excruciatingly long time to load it as my internet is dial up.Ugh! Good luck to all of you embarking on or in the middle of your remodels! May your dollar go far!

Cindy - Sorry - I don't have any pics to share for your question - however - IF you are going to put a trim panel on the wall to take some of the "beating" that kids (and "kidadults" like me - a KID trapped in an ADULT's BODY...) will be dishing out - I'd offer you this suggestion: For the trim/fascia panel - take a look at using "FRP" (Fibre Re-Inforced Plastic) sheething - it is used in high traffic areas in place of ceramic tile. It is waterproof, comes in sheets that are 48" x 96" x 1/16" to 1/8" thick -in white & almond - and has a crackled or crystal looking texture - some are called "Pebble Embossed" too - it's way easy to keep clean, and you can glue it to the drywall. You can purchase this FRP at most large home improvement centers or lumber yards. I googled "FRP" and came up with a whole slew of products and sources - I have attached one link for you to look at to see what I am describing. Anyways - it may or may not be what you are looking for - but take a look to see if this is something you'd want to investigate more... hope that helps kevin Here is a link that might be useful: Crane Composites Pebble Embossed FRP -