I'm open to streamlining some of my dishes, mugs, etc. However, my immediate concern is about the fridge, and how goofy it might look sticking out on the new wall. My current fridge is 32" deep. I paid $800 in 2006. I really want to get a much bigger one with the freezer on the bottom and the french doors on the top. I feel like I got my money's worth out of it, and will find a good home for it. I will have to masking-tape out the counter & fridge. I really want more freezer space (that's why I'm open to getting a new fridge). I even considered a small separate freezer but the smaller ones are not automatic-defrost, and I don't want to empty it twice a year, and deal with the water (not having a drain). As mentioned above, maybe a fridge that doesn't extend too much beyond the counter might be better, but I'm not sure how much more freezer space that will give me. I need to research how much capacity my current one is for reference. I looked through it's manual but don't see it referenced. I also need to use the ikea configurator and fully populate the space, and see how much room I want to allocate to trash in the corner. Thanks again for everyone's interest and great ideas! This forum has really been invaluable ! Mike

I've been looking and looking, and what I think may be ridiculous based on the amount of natural light your kitchen gets and in which direction its window is facing. (for example, ours is true north facing and gets no direct sun -- it casts a v. "cold," grey feeling on everything in there) However, with that big fat caveat out of the way: I now think painting the living and dining rooms the Herbal Green, the arch (all of it, both sides) the Hazelnut and the kitchen the Blue Spruce could be great. And this is why: the Herbal Green is soothing and subtle but still has a presence. I also think it will frame your gorgeous windows and views and totally set-off your fireplace. The Hazelnut I like because I just really like it! It is so warm, such a happy (but not in-your-face happy, if you know what I mean) color and its tone totally makes sense with the Herbal Green (neither are jarring, both appear to have similar dusky undercurrents), plus I think it'll subtly highlight your new arch. The Blue Spruce I like because, again, I think it "makes sense" with the Herbal Green and the Hazelnut (because of its tone) and it helps set the kitchen apart somewhat -- somewhat, because you don't want anything too crazy when all the spaces are open to one another. I don't think you'll actually have lots of room for the Blue Spruce, right? Because it's a darker, bolder color I think that can work to your benefit in the kitchen: it will highlight the blue-ish feeling in your basalt slate countertop and echo the earthy feeling of your cork and hardwood floors, all without overpowering / darkening the space. At least, in my mind's eye of your house that's what I'm seeing. My youngest is now up so off I go! Take care of yourself, -Brooke

OK, here are the pics after the cabs were stained. We went with a deep mahogany to coordinate with the tiles, granite and backsplash. The results have really exceeded our expectations. My contractor says that the shine of the top coat will tone down over the next few weeks. Note: I have many skills, but photography is not one of them. So please excuse the crappy pics :) The stain is really a dark brown/mahogany -- not black as seen in some of the pics. Here is a picture with the flash on -- shows some of the brown tones

Thanks for your compliments. Honestly, that arrangement WAS effortless. I did it outside as I deadheaded. Golden Buddha and partner, clematis ‘Franziska Marie’ are looking too nice not to share today. I just love all the dark to light color progressions Golden Buddha’s blooms go through. Felicia is really blooming well. A little spotty from the rain, but still pretty. Felicia’s blooms have a special sheen to them, impossible to capture with my phone camera. Carding Mill A nice new cane coming up in the middle of Carding Mill. Lisa