One way to handle putting an old self into a larger new kitchen is to draw a smaller old kitchen inside of it. All those things that used to live in the den? Or the basement? Or on the high shelves of the kids' closets? Those are still your least used things. It's great to be able to store them in the kitchen now, but you don't want to have the Christmas dishes and turkey roaster and martini glasses between you and the action. As much as you can, put the stuff you use the most away first, and do it in the tightest workflow area you can, best at point of use, designing your point of use at the closest comfortable place to the previous and next steps in the cooking process. If there's room leftover in your working path--like whole empty shelves or drawers, you can put in some of the least used stuff that makes sense in that location (roaster in the cooking zone, etc.) and put the rest of the overage in the more outlying areas, pantry, wherever isn't blocking you from using your kitchen efficiently. I think Buehl has winter dishes in her dish area because there was room (and she has a very efficient kitchen), but if you can tighten up your workspace by putting the Christmas china out, do it! And swap it in at Christmas time, if you use it all day for a month.

Take it back. Do so with a self-confident "so sorry you have this problem with your product, but I must return it" attitude. I am so tired of purchasing products and feeling like I'm stuck with it after bringing it home and it doesn't work properly or is non-functional from the start. TAKE IT BACK AMERICA!! That's what I say. Even if you don't get your money back -- tell them that the internet is a powerful tool and you will tell the universe why you wanted to return the item and that you will tell the universe who you purchased the item from and that the rest of the universe should look elsewhere for someone with a more lenient return policy or someone who buys from more credible manufacturers. What difference does it make how soon after purchasing that you had to wash it! I wash almost everything as soon as I get it home! I don't need anymore odd-ball DNA on our clothing and sheets, etc.! I guess you can tell I'm sick and tired of being screwed in the marketplace! Take it back if it doesn't work!!

My Mama passed almost seven years ago, and I am still working on her fabric stash, but with materials used for quilting and also every other type of material one could need. I started quilting about a year before she died, and my first quilt was a Christmas gift for her, I finished in February. I kept company with her as I was quilting and she watched it come together, not knowing it was for her. She had always wanted to make a quilt, and had started the blocks for a Cathedral Windows, inspired by a friend when we lived in Missouri, as state just famous for it's cottage quilt industry. When one drove through the Ozarks, it was commonplace to see them hung out on clotheslines, to catch the eye of passers-by. She had also made some yo-yos but they disappeared sometime and I've never found them. I wish you much enjoyment with your new hobby. I think you'll find yourself close to her spirit as you work, as I find myself close to my mother when I am in my sewing room, handling the fabrics she had saved over the years. I have made about thirty quilts since then, really surprising myself since making ONE quilt was on my bucket list. LOL. Welcome to the forum, and my condolences as well on your mother's passing. BTW, that is one beautiful design you will be finishing. I also have a quilt cat who loves to lay on my blocks and scatter them too. He keeps me company each morning as I sew, and prefers my sewing room to all the others in this house.

great suggestions Olychick, thanks! I am leaning towards yellow but am a little fearful because I painted my front bedroom yellow without taking into consideration the amount of light it was getting. I put samples on the wall and thought I picked a good color. Big mistake! I practically had to wear sunglasses in there so I ended up painting that bedroom a much more pleasing color..sort of a cream color. So I would like to avoid having to repaint this room. The bedroom in question is currently white so I would like to avoid using white again. I love gray but I think it would be a bit too dark. I am considering Benjamin Moore antique yellow which is part of their off white collection I believe. But hoping for some more choices to consider.